It’s no secret that Toyotas are known for their safety. Toyota models have appeared in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICKs for 15 consecutive years — and there’s a good reason for that. While Toyota designs vehicles for comfort and style, one of its other priorities is passenger security.
Toyota Safety Sense™ (TSS) is the crown jewel of Toyota’s safety initiatives. Since its inception in 2015, TSS has helped prevent countless accidents. Its systems use internal and external sensors to stop your vehicle before it hits an object, keep you in your lane, identify and remind you of road signs, and more.
First, there was just Toyota Safety Sense™. But Toyota didn’t stop there. TSS 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5+ followed. And in 2023, Toyota revealed the system’s newest inception — Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0.
Let’s take a look at what’s new.
Bigger, better, stronger
Many of TSS 3.0’s improvements are thanks to its clearer “eyes” — namely, the forward-facing camera and radar sensor.
The new camera boasts a higher resolution and broader angles than previous TSS versions. Meanwhile, the radar sensor has a longer and wider field of view. These advanced detections sharpen TSS’s ability to see and stop accidents before they happen.
TSS now also features over-the-air updates. This means your Toyota’s safety systems can be upgraded from afar, like an app on a smartphone.
An all-new subsystem
Before, TSS had six subsystems to help keep you and your passengers safe. Each one focuses on a different aspect of driving, from collision detection to cruise control.
But TSS 3.0 introduces a seventh into the mix: Proactive Driving Assist.
Proactive Driving Assist helps control braking and steering in potentially hazardous situations. It has three systems of its own: Obstacle Anticipation Assist, Deceleration Assist, and Steering Assist.
Obstacle Anticipation Assist detects vehicles parked on the side of the road, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists near or crossing the road. If you are going 20 to 30 mph, the system may apply mild braking and steering to help maintain a safe distance between you and the object.
Deceleration Assist helps you gently reduce speed when approaching another vehicle or turning into a curve. It operates when your vehicle is moving more than 15 mph and you’re not pressing the accelerator or brake pedals.
Finally, Steering Assist detects roadway lines and helps you stay in the lane. It does not actively steer the car, but it varies assistance from power steering, a mechanism that makes it easier to turn the steering wheel. This system operates from 5 to 80 mph.
New enhancements to existing technologies
TSS’s six previous systems remain — and TSS 3.0 didn’t ignore them. Several were outfitted with new capabilities, as listed below.
Pre-Collision System
What is it?
The Pre-Collision System detects and warns you about objects near your car with an audio or visual alert. The system may brake for you if you don’t brake in time.
What’s new?
With TSS 3.0, the Pre-Collision System now has enhanced intersection support with better detection range. It may sense oncoming vehicles in multiple lanes, vehicles approaching your car sideways, and motorcyclists.
Lane Departure Alert
What is it?
Lane Departure Alert tracks where your vehicle is in your lane. It may alert or steer you back in if you are drifting.
What’s new?
TSS 3.0 lets the system identify and work around alternative lane-marking objects like guardrails.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
What is it?
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control lets you maintain preset speeds and distances between your vehicle and others.
What’s new?
Previous versions of this system had three distance settings, but TSS 3.0 offers four. It also detects vehicle speeds in nearby lanes when you turn your blinker on, so it can preemptively adjust speed levels in the new lane. All speed adjustments are smoother and more natural.
Lane Tracing Assist
What is it?
When Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is engaged, so is Lane Tracing Assist. It detects road lines and other vehicles to keep your vehicle centered in its lane.
What’s new?
With TSS 3.0, Lane Tracing Assist can provide more space between you and another vehicle in an adjacent lane, like a semi truck.
The new Lane Tracing Assist also introduces Emergency Driving Stop System. This system monitors the driver’s attention. If your eyes aren’t on the road and you don’t respond to alerts, the system will bring the vehicle to a safe stop.
Road Sign Assist
What is it?
Road Sign Assist detects and displays common road signs on your vehicle’s Multi-Information Display.
What’s new?
The TSS 3.0 version can now recognize more signs, particularly warning signs.
TSS 3.0: Safety elevated
With this boost in equipment and systems, Toyotas have never been safer. Several 2023 Toyota models have TSS 3.0, like the Crown and Corolla Hatchback. Click here to find a Toyota dealer near you.