The Toyota Avalon 2022, part of the model generation redesigned in 2019, stands out as a vehicle prioritizing safety. This commitment is clearly demonstrated in rigorous crash testing, where the Avalon has consistently achieved high marks, particularly for models manufactured after September 2018. These later models incorporated key improvements to the passenger frontal airbag design, aimed at enhancing occupant protection in challenging passenger-side small overlap frontal crashes.
Enhanced Passenger Safety in Toyota Avalon
Toyota proactively addressed passenger safety by modifying the shape and vent hole size of the passenger frontal airbag in Avalons built after September 2018. This refinement was a direct response to the demanding small overlap frontal crash test, a scenario where a limited portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier. To ensure the effectiveness of this modification, Toyota conducted two separate crash tests on the Avalon. One test involved a model built before the airbag modification, and the second test featured a model with the enhanced airbag.
The official safety ratings for the Toyota Avalon reflect these improvements. While the structural ratings and driver-side assessments are based on the combined data from both tests, the overall evaluation and passenger-specific ratings primarily highlight the performance of the Avalon with the updated airbag system. The results are overwhelmingly positive, with the 2022 Toyota Avalon earning a “Good” rating – the highest possible – in the critical small overlap frontal crash test.
This “Good” rating extends across all critical evaluation criteria. The Avalon’s structure and safety cage demonstrated robust integrity during the crash. Crucially, passenger injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were all rated as “Good,” indicating a low risk of significant injuries in these areas. Similarly, driver injury measures and the effectiveness of passenger and driver restraints and dummy kinematics also received the highest “Good” rating.
Detailed Technical Insights into Avalon’s Crash Performance
For a deeper understanding of the Toyota Avalon’s crashworthiness, detailed technical measurements provide further insights. These measurements quantify the intrusion into the occupant compartment and the forces experienced by crash test dummies representing both passengers and drivers.
The tables showcase a range of technical data, including intrusion measurements in centimeters and injury measures in units like HIC-15 (Head Injury Criterion), kN (kilonewtons of force), and mm (millimeters of compression or displacement). These metrics are used by safety engineers to precisely assess the vehicle’s performance and identify areas for potential improvement in future models. For consumers, the overarching “Good” rating provides a clear and reassuring indication of the Toyota Avalon 2022’s commitment to safety in frontal crash scenarios.
In conclusion, the Toyota Avalon 2022 is a safe vehicle choice, evidenced by its “Good” rating in small overlap frontal crash testing. The improvements made to the passenger airbag system in models built after September 2018 have demonstrably enhanced passenger protection, making the Avalon a strong contender for safety-conscious car buyers.
