Regresar al GuidesPrice and safety are often cited as the top two reasons why buyers choose one vehicle over another. We all know that technology has drastically improved driver assistance features in new cars, and as safety features have evolved over the years, so have crash tests and safety ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are the two agencies that have the highest stakes in safety ratings.
Every year, they test countless new vehicles to determine the safest cars that you can buy. Each goes through several different crash tests, but driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning systems are also considered. Both agencies have their own rating systems and conduct their testing in slightly different ways.
We've compiled a list of the safest SUVs you can buy right now. Read on to find out more.
More About Crash Test Ratings
Both the NHTSA and IIHS award safety ratings to each vehicle based on several different criteria. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rates vehicles based on a five-star scale. One star is the lowest possible rating and five stars is the highest. Its testing includes a frontal crash test, a side crash test, and rollover resistance, each of which is rated and compiled to form an overall safety rating.
In addition to crash tests, the NHTSA also factors safety technology into its ratings. Forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support are included in the recommended safety technology rating. These systems must be standard and meet the NHTSA’s performance criteria for the vehicle to receive a good score.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also crash tests vehicles. Its testing includes small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side impact crash tests with additional tests conducted for headlight, seat belt, child LATCH anchors, vehicle-to-vehicle frontal crash protection, and vehicle-to-pedestrian frontal crash protection effectiveness. Vehicles are then awarded a poor, marginal, acceptable, or good rating based on the results of each test.
The IIHS also assigns yearly awards for vehicles that perform the best in these tests. For a vehicle to be considered a Top Safety Pick it must earn a “good” score in the small overlap, original moderate overlap front test, and side impact tests. Additionally, an “acceptable” or “good” rating must be awarded for headlight and pedestrian crash prevention categories.
In order for a vehicle to obtain a Top Safety Pick+ award, it must earn a “good” rating in the small overlap and side tests, an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the updated moderate overlap front test, and either an “acceptable” or “good” rating in headlight and pedestrian crash prevention effectiveness. Our rankings below are based on the test information from both the NHTSA and the IIHS.
1. 2025 Honda Pilot
2. 2025 Genesis GV70
3. 2025 Nissan Pathfinder
4. 2025 Volvo XC90
5. 2025 Mazda CX-90
6. 2025 Mazda CX-30
7. 2025 Kia Telluride
8. 2025 Subaru Ascent
9. 2025 Genesis GV60
10. 2025 Honda HR-V
11. 2025 Mazda CX-50
1. 2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot is one of the most popular midsize SUVs on the market, but it stands out in our rankings for a different reason. It is only one of two crossovers that has earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a five-star overall NHTSA rating for the 2025 model year. Both front- and all-wheel drive versions are available, and both have earned the same stellar safety rating.
Only one powertrain is available across each of its trim levels: a 285-horsepower 3.5 V6 engine mated to a 10-speed transmission. Safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking are available on the least expensive model, but others such as parking sensors, a multi-angle rearview camera, and a head-up display are all available higher up the Pilot totem pole.
As one of the larger midsize SUVs on the market, it's a great alternative to some of the less spacious three-row offerings in the segment, such as the Toyota Highlander and the Nissan Pathfinder. It also offers a little bit of everything for just about everyone, including an off-road-focused trim level with an impressive capability called the TrailSport.
Browse 2025 Honda Pilot listings here.
2. 2025 Genesis GV70
The 2025 Genesis GV70 is the second crossover in our rankings to earn a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but that only applies to GV70 models built after April 2024. Regardless, the GV70 is one of the safest SUVs you can currently buy.
Base models feature forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-following assist, rear parking sensors, rear-seat occupancy alert, and a safe-exit assist system. Safety is not all the GV70 does well, though, as 300 and 375-horsepower powertrain options are on the table, and both come with AWD for added traction in bad weather.
Because Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury brand, buyers will also benefit from a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. If you are more environmentally conscious, you may want to opt for the GV70 Electrified, with its electric powertrain that produces 429 horsepower and over 230 miles of range – and it, too, earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. Even though that only applies to 2024 models, it also comes with the post-April 2024 manufacturing date caveat as the standard GV70 model.
Browse 2025 Genesis GV70 listings here.
3. 2025 Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is another midsize SUV that competes against the likes of the Toyota Highlander, the Honda Pilot, and the Hyundai Palisade. It seats up to eight passengers, can tow up to 6,000 pounds, and is even available in an off-road-focused trim level called the Rock Creek Edition. Most Pathfinder buyers will find more benefits in family hauling than off-roading, but either way, the Pathfinder is an easy pick as one of the safest crossovers on the market.
It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 2025, and even though the IIHS has not yet rated it for 2025, it won a Top Safety Pick+ award for 2024. Since nothing significant is slated to change, we expect similarly high ratings from the IIHS for 2025.
Ratings are boosted by its excellent suite of standard safety features, including high-beam assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and driver attention monitoring. Other features like traffic sign recognition, a 360-degree camera system, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control are available on other trim levels throughout the Pathfinder lineup.
Browse 2025 Nissan Pathfinder listings here.
4. 2025 Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 is the first luxury SUV in our rankings, but it may be one of the most well-rounded new crossovers on the market. Its styling is beautiful, it has three rows of seats, it comes standard with all-wheel drive, and offers a different flavor to comparable midsize crossovers from the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. Of course, it is also safe.
The latest 2025 models come with a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and, while 2024 models earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, we'll have to see what the rest of 2025 has to offer, as Volvo has refreshed the XC90 for mid-year 2025. With standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and parking sensors, we still expect to see high safety scores from the IIHS.
A 247-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine works with a mild-hybrid system on entry-level models. Buyers also have the opportunity to upgrade to a 295-horsepower option. Volvo even offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain on the XC90 Recharge model, which also earns top safety scores from the NHTSA but, unlike its gasoline-powered sibling, the 2024 PHEV only managed to earn itself a Top Safety Pick award.
Browse 2025 Volvo XC90 listings here.
5. 2025 Mazda CX-90
The Mazda CX-90 is one of the newcomers to the midsize SUV segment. It was introduced in 2024 alongside its twin PHEV sibling with Mazda’s bold new styling and a spirit of fun that is absent in many other competitors. Both the standard and the plug-in hybrid models earned five-star overall ratings from the NHTSA for 2025, and both were named IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award winners for 2024. IIHS’s ratings had not been published for either model for 2025 at the time of writing.
Standard CX-90 models feature a 280 or a 340-horsepower inline-six turbo, both of which are aided by a mild hybrid system. Models with the plug-in hybrid powertrain have 323 horsepower. All models, regardless of your powertrain of choice, come standard with all-wheel drive.
With three rows that can accommodate up to eight passengers, standard safety features such as lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, roll stability control, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitoring, rear-seat alert, and vehicle exit warning will serve your family well. Extras such as head-on traffic avoidance assist, front cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a 360-degree monitor are all available as you climb the CX-90’s trim level ladder.
Browse 2025 Mazda CX-90 listings here.
6. 2025 Mazda CX-30
If you don't need a car as large as the Mazda CX-90, the subcompact CX-30 might do the trick. It still features Mazda’s sleek styling and peppy driving attitude, but at a much lower price and in a much more maneuverable package. With the CX-30 earning a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA for 2025, though, you don't lose much in the way of safety. It too earned a 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, even though the IIHS has not yet released the CX-30’s ratings for 2025.
With only a few minor updates being made for 2025, we expect that the IIHS and you will continue to be impressed by its standard high-beam assist, driver attention monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and rear-seat alert systems. All-wheel drive is also standard to give you a bit more confidence when the weather gets bad.
Buyers have the choice between a 191-horsepower four-cylinder powerplant or a turbocharged version of the same engine that produces 227 horsepower on regular gas or 250 horsepower on premium fuel. You can't go wrong with either, and you can't go wrong with all of the driver-assistance features that this little crossover has to offer.
Browse 2025 Mazda CX-30 listings here.
7. 2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is one of the most complete midsize crossovers on sale. It features three rows of relatively spacious seats, can tow up to 5,500 pounds, features a 291-horsepower V6 engine, and it comes with the choice of either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Thanks to its size, it comes with most of the space your family might need with a lower price tag, better fuel economy, and a slightly smaller footprint than true large SUV alternatives.
Of course, the Telluride is also safe, and the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating for 2025. The IIHS hadn't given the 2025 model a rating at the time of writing, but Kia isn't making any changes, and it was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award recipient last year. Thanks to its standard blind-spot collision warning, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, and adaptive cruise control, your family will be able to drive with security.
Other trim levels come with extra safety features such as upgraded adaptive cruise control, a surround-view monitor, front parking sensors, evasive steering assist, and rear automatic emergency braking if you have a little more to spend on your Telluride. Other features such as push-button start, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto should all help keep your family busy on those long road trips.
Browse 2025 Kia Telluride listings here.
8. 2025 Subaru Ascent
Subaru is known for making safe vehicles, and the automaker’s standard full-time Symmetrical AWD system is a big part of that. The Ascent capitalizes on Subaru’s reputation even further, with the inclusion of standard safety features such as high-beam assist, reverse automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist.
It earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA for 2025 and earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for the 2024 model year. The IIHS hadn't rated the 2025 model at the time of writing, but we expect an equally impressive rating, as nothing significant is changing for 2025. It carries over its 260-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and continuously variable automatic transmission, the same powertrain that covers each of its trim levels.
As the largest crossover that Subaru makes, the Ascent serves as its most versatile family vehicle. It's not as good off-road as some of the smaller Wilderness models, but three rows of seating, 43.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and the 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity make it as well-rounded as it is safe.
Browse 2025 Subaru Ascent listings here.
9. 2025 Genesis GV60
The Genesis GV60 stands out in our rankings as the only subcompact luxury SUV, and it's the only fully electric model on our main list. Buyers can select from a 225-horsepower single-motor, a 314-horsepower dual-motor, or a 429-horsepower dual-motor setup, allowing them to travel between 235 and 294 miles on a single charge. Entry-level models come with RWD, and dual-motor models come with AWD.
The NHTSA has awarded the GV60 with a five-star safety rating, and it's one of the only crossovers available with a five-star rollover resistance rating. The 2024 model earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, but the agency hadn't given the 2025 model a rating at the time of writing. Standard forward collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and safe-exit assist should boost its chances of another impressive set of results, though.
Though it is small, it comes with excellent luxury touches such as heated front seats, a head-up display, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and wireless device connectivity – a newly standard feature for 2025.
Browse 2025 Genesis GV60 listings here.
10. 2025 Honda HR-V
Like the other SUVs in our rankings, the Honda HR-V earned itself an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for the 2024 model year. With no major changes made to the 2025 model, and with the NHTSA’s stellar five-star safety rating of its own for 2025, we know that even subcompact SUVs can be safe, despite their small size. In typical Honda fashion, the HR-V feels much larger than it is, thanks to its clever use of storage and built-in practicality features.
Even after a slight price increase for this year, the HR-V is one of the most affordable options on our list, but it doesn't sacrifice safety for the sake of being inexpensive. A collision mitigation system, road-departure mitigation, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, automatic high beam headlights, and adaptive cruise control are standard on all three trim levels.
Blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and low-speed braking control are available on higher trim levels, as are features such as dual-zone climate control, leather-trimmed seats, a moonroof, and wireless device charging. Powering each model is a 158-horsepower four-cylinder and front-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive is available on each trim level for even more on-road security.
Browse 2025 Honda HR-V listings here.
11. 2025 Mazda CX-50
The Mazda CX-50 is widely regarded as one of the best and most attractive compact SUVs available – and it also happens to be one of the safest. It joins its siblings on our list with a five-star rating from the NHTSA for 2025 and with a Top Safety Pick+ award for last year’s model. it shares its styling with the CX-90 and CX-70 and differentiates itself from the CX-5 as a more adventure-ready model with some off-road chops.
Just because it's marketed as a more rugged compact crossover than its brother does not mean it doesn’t have that sporty Mazda feel. The least powerful models get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower. A turbo version of the same engine is also available with up to 256 horsepower with premium fuel. AWD is standard, so neither option is a bad one.
The CX-50’s peppy character is not its only strength, though. In addition to its new-for-2025 rear-seat alert system and upgraded nighttime pedestrian detection system, each CX-50 comes with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe-exit assist, driver attention monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
If you want to save a little on gas, you can go with the CX-50 hybrid – a new model for 2025. It actually utilizes the same powertrain as the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, producing a total of 219 horsepower and giving the CX-50 a boost in fuel efficiency. It has the same five-star safety rating from the NHTSA as the standard model.
Browse 2025 Mazda CX-50 listings here.
Safe Alternatives
Just because a new car doesn't have a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS does not mean that it's unsafe. There are plenty of other safe crossovers on the market that just miss out on being included in our top-tier rankings.
The Kia Sorento, for example, has earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star safety rating for the 2025 model year. The Acura MDX is a 2024 Top Safety Pick+ award winner and has a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for 2025, but only in its standard front-wheel drive layout, as the AWD MDX hadn't received an overall rating for 2025 by NHTSA at the time of writing. The Subaru Solterra might also be a potential super safe option, as it was also a 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award recipient, but neither agency had rated it for the 2025 model year as of this writing.
There are plenty of other 2025 models that already have a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. Compact SUVs such as the Honda CR-V, the Honda CR-V Hybrid, the Kia Sportage, and the Kia Sportage Hybrid combine affordability, practicality, and safety. Larger midsize crossovers such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Toyota Highlander, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the Volkswagen Atlas, and the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport add some family hauling capability. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is an even larger option.
Luxury crossovers such as the Lexus UX, the Acura RDX, the Audi Q7, the Infiniti QX60, and the AWD Lexus RX are all five-star options for those who want a posher driving experience. Safe electric options include the Nissan Ariya, the Volkswagen ID.4, the Audi Q4 e-tron, and the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback. The Audi Q8 e-tron and Sportback models are even available for those who need a large SUV to haul more than just a family of four.
The BMW X2, the Mazda CX-70, and the Mazda CX-70 PHEV have all been named IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recipients for 2025, but hadn't been rated by the NHTSA at the time of writing. The BMW X5 also earns the same award, but the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating for 2025. Dn't let that fool you into thinking that it's unsafe, though, because it remains an excellent option and is one of the most well-rounded crossovers you can currently buy.
Outliers
There are tons of safe, excellent options on the market from which to choose, but there are still other models that fall just outside of our close contenders. As automakers introduce new models, dealerships still need to get rid of their existing inventory. The result is that there are often leftover models that you can still buy from the previous year, many of which can be had at a discounted price.
The Ford Explorer, the Hyundai Tucson, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Genesis GV80, the Lincoln Nautilus, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, the Lexus NX, and the BMW X3 have all been given an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for 2024, but neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had rated them for 2025 at the time of writing.
The Tesla Model Y, the Hyundai Palisade, the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Kia EV9, and the Lexus NX PHEV each earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award in 2024, but all were yet to earn an overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
