The safest SUVs are designed to keep you protected, and they are all listed below. These vehicles vary in size and purpose; some offer reasonable pricing and practicality, while others emphasize luxury and performance.
Our top picks for the safest SUVs have all earned the 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and, where tested, hold an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA. Did your favorite SUV make the list?
Subaru Outback
A mid-size, five-seat SUV, the Outback has long kept its place among the best cars for moms for its safety features. New for 2026, the Outback has traded its previous wagon-like appearance for a more traditional SUV design.
The new 2026 Subaru Outback is just as reliable as previous generations and comes with a host of standard safety technologies, including front- and rear-automatic emergency braking. Automatic emergency steering, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring are also included in the standard complication.
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a standout in the mid-size luxury SUV class, thanks to its roomy, quiet cabin and advanced technology. While the Q5 sells more in many markets, the Audi Q7 is a highly sought-after model in Florida used car lots in Jacksonville, as it delivers stronger space and comfort for families and long drives.
Q7 earned the 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and comes with a robust suite of standard safety tech, including automatic emergency braking, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. Optional upgrades include a dashcam and rear automatic emergency braking for added protection.
Honda HR-V
Creating a compact SUV with strong safety ratings isn’t easy, yet Honda succeeds, achieving excellent results in IIHS and NHTSA testing. Few other subcompact SUVs can boast such high scores. High-quality interior and top safety help offset its average fuel economy and sluggish acceleration.
Every 2026 HR-V comes equipped with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are included on the HR-V Sport, the second of the three trim levels.
2026 Mazda CX-30
Like the Honda HR-V, the Mazda CX-30 stands out as one of the few subcompact SUVs to successfully pass IIHS and NHTSA testing. While the CX-30 has a compact interior, it handles well on the road and offers a slightly more premium feel than some of its competitors.
Starting under $30,000, the base 2026 CX-30 2.5 S Select Sport trim comes equipped with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. For 2026, this Mazda CX30 base trim adds side mirrors that tilt downward when the SUV is in reverse. Calling this a safety feature might be a stretch, but it’s a cool bonus – a perk once reserved for more expensive vehicles.
Hyundai Ioniq 9
One of the best crossovers on the market today is also one of the safest for 2026. The Ioniq 9 is an electric three-row Hyundai crossover that, thanks to various incentives, has become more competitively priced against its gasoline-powered counterparts. Even the base Ioniq 9 model includes standard safety features such as blind-spot and rear collision-avoidance systems. Additionally, lane-keeping assist and Safe Exit Assist, which reduces the risk of opening a door into the path of an approaching cyclist, come standard.
Lexus NX
Within Lexus’s extensive lineup of luxury SUVs, the NX is one of three models with a base price under $50,000 (the others being the smaller UX and the electric RZ). The NX 2026 model comes equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 – a package that includes a wide range of features. Key highlights include automatic emergency braking, automatic low-beam headlights, and lane-keeping assist.
