When shopping for a new vehicle, safety is often the top priority for buyers, and for good reason. Whether you are commuting to work, running daily errands, or loading up the family for a cross-country road trip, knowing your vehicle is designed to protect its occupants provides invaluable peace of mind. SUVs are particularly popular among safety-conscious drivers because their higher seating position offers better visibility of the road ahead, while their larger, more robust frames inherently provide a strong physical barrier in the event of a collision. Beyond their structural advantages, modern SUVs are also incredibly practical, offering the passenger room and cargo flexibility that busy households need.
Today's safest SUVs go far beyond basic airbags and crumple zones; they act as active partners in your daily driving. Automakers are equipping these vehicles with comprehensive suites of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that can help prevent accidents before they happen. Features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist are now standard on many models. As you will see in the list below, the market offers highly rated options across all sizes and powertrains. From spacious three-row family haulers like the Hyundai Palisade and the all-electric Kia EV9 to capable, adventure-ready crossovers like the Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5, there is a safe, reliable SUV to fit nearly every lifestyle and budget.
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1. Hyundai Palisade
CarGurus expert rating: 8.8 out of 10
CarGurus user rating: 4.8 out of 5
Percentage of Good and Great Deals available on CarGurus: 36.3%
Overall CarGurus rating: 4.7 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Multiple powertrain options |
XRT trim loses luxury features |
| Great ride quality |
Fuel economy lags behind top rivals |
| Spacious |
|
For shoppers prioritizing safety in a three-row family SUV, the redesigned 2026 Hyundai Palisade leans heavily on standard driver-assist tech. Every trim includes a broad set of active safety features such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (including pedestrian and cyclist detection), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, lane following assist, driver attention monitoring, safe exit assist, and front and rear parking sensors. Hyundai also offers Highway Driving Assist on most trims, while the top Calligraphy gets Highway Driving Assist II with lane-change assistance; in real driving, these systems can reduce workload, but you'll still want to stay alert—our testing saw mixed results detecting cyclists.
Safety-minded families will also appreciate how the Palisade's calm, refined road manners help drivers stay comfortable and composed, especially on long trips or in bad weather. Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 with 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and available all-wheel drive (AWD), and for 2026 the brakes were upsized to improve stopping performance (127 feet from 62 mph, down from 131 feet previously). Inside, the Palisade's spacious, thoughtfully laid-out cabin adds day-to-day confidence with available surround-view cameras on upper trims, plus easy-to-use USB-C charging throughout the three rows and sliding second- and third-row seats that can help balance passenger room with cargo needs.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is an improvement over the outgoing version it replaces in every meaningful way. Consider the Palisade a top choice if you're in the market for a three-row SUV that's comfortable for the whole family. And if you're planning to spend some time in the dirt, take a look at the new-for-2026 Palisade XRT Pro." - Jeremy Korzeniewski
Read our most recent Hyundai Palisade review
2. Mazda CX-5
CarGurus expert rating: 7.2 out of 10
CarGurus user rating: 4.8 out of 5
Percentage of Good and Great Deals available on CarGurus: 33.7%
Overall CarGurus rating: 4.6 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Crisp exterior and interior design that leads the compact SUV segment |
Underpowered engine feels even more sluggish with the added weight of this redesign |
| Standard AWD, a generous safety suite, and low starting price make it a strong value |
No hybrid option until 2027, so expect poor fuel economy |
| Noticeably improved rear passenger space and cargo room |
Aging six-speed automatic can't match the refinement of competitors' eight-speed transmissions |
For safety-minded SUV shoppers, the redesigned 2026 Mazda CX-5 brings a long list of standard driver-assistance tech across every trim, including adaptive cruise control with speed limit assist, automatic emergency braking with Turn-Across Traffic detection and Head-On Collision Mitigation, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, vehicle exit warning, and both front and rear parking sensors. The Premium Plus adds extra protection and convenience tech such as front cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, a driver monitoring system, and a 360-degree camera system. Official NHTSA and IIHS scores weren't available at the time of writing, but the previous CX-5's strong results set a reassuring baseline while we wait for the new model's ratings.
Beyond the safety suite, the CX-5's standard AWD helps with all-weather confidence, and the bigger body improves day-to-day family usability, with more rear passenger space and 38 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row (70 cubic feet with the seats folded). The tradeoff is that this version sticks with a 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 186 lb-ft of torque and a six-speed automatic, and the added weight makes it feel slow, which can matter when you want brisk acceleration for merging. If your "safe SUV" checklist includes efficiency, it's also worth noting the 26-mpg combined rating and the lack of a hybrid until 2027.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The 2026 CX-5 is one of the best-looking and best-equipped compact crossovers you can buy, but its sluggish and thirsty powertrain and odd interior quibbles hold it back from greatness. Buyers who prioritize style, interior quality, and value will love it; those who want efficiency or performance should wait for the hybrid in 2027." - David Undercoffler
Read our most recent Mazda CX-5 review
3. Subaru Forester
CarGurus expert rating: 7.5 out of 10
CarGurus user rating: 4.6 out of 5
Percentage of Good and Great Deals available on CarGurus: 34.1%
Overall CarGurus rating: 4.6 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Impressive off-road capability |
Potentially polarizing design |
| Lots of utility |
Sluggish performance |
| Good safety ratings |
Dissatisfying infotainment system |
The 2026 Subaru Forester makes safety its centerpiece, and it delivers. Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance suite comes standard on every trim, and for 2026 it's been enhanced with a third camera that widens the field of view to detect cyclists and pedestrians earlier. The full standard package covers automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability — and a rear seat reminder is included across the board. Upper trims add meaningful upgrades: X-Mode terrain management and Hill Descent Control for slippery conditions arrive at the Premium level, while the top Touring trim brings Emergency Stop Assist, a standout feature that can slow the car to a complete stop and alert emergency services if the driver becomes unresponsive, plus a surround-view monitor and reverse automatic braking.
The Forester has earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, the organization's highest honor — a testament to how seriously Subaru takes this aspect of the car's mission. Standard symmetrical all-wheel drive on every trim adds another layer of confidence in adverse conditions, and the cabin's notable noise reduction compared to the previous generation means less driver fatigue on longer trips, which is its own kind of passive safety feature. For shoppers who want peace of mind baked into every trim level rather than reserved for the top of the lineup, the Forester is one of the most compelling options in the compact SUV segment.
The CarGurus Verdict: "Push the new 2026 Forester Wilderness to its limits, and you'll be impressed by its off-roading capability. But, even if you're not planning to traverse challenging terrain, it is comforting to know that the Wilderness offers more competence than a typical crossover SUV when confronted with unexpected situations." - Christian Wardlaw
Read our most recent Subaru Forester Wilderness review
4. Honda Passport
CarGurus expert rating: 7.8 out of 10
CarGurus user rating: 4.6 out of 5
Percentage of Good and Great Deals available on CarGurus: 32.9%
Overall CarGurus rating: 4.5 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Spacious interior and cargo capacity |
Poor fuel economy |
| Improved off-road capability |
High price |
| Easy-to-use technology |
Still lacking key off-road features |
The 2026 Honda Passport is a ground-up redesign, and Honda Safety Sense comes standard on every trim — covering automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a low-speed braking system that applies the brakes when the camera detects an obstacle in the vehicle's path. Eight airbags are also standard across the lineup, and the top TrailSport Elite adds a surround-view camera system for a birds-eye perspective at low speeds. It's a comprehensive suite that holds up well against similarly priced rivals.
The redesign also represents a meaningful step forward in crash safety: The 2026 Passport has earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, a significant improvement over the previous generation, which had struggled to earn recognition from the organization. Paired with its standard Honda Safety Sense suite, the new Passport makes a much stronger case for safety-conscious shoppers than its predecessor ever could—and its blend of active and passive safety features puts it firmly in contention for this list.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The 2026 Honda Passport is a well-rounded crossover SUV that shines with regards to cargo space and user-friendly tech. However, while the new Passport aims to be more capable off-road than its predecessor, it still lacks key features, such as a locking differential and low-range 4WD, not to mention it carries a high price tag. While not ideal for hardcore off-roaders (it is, after all, a unibody construction), the 2026 Honda Passport is a solid choice for family adventures in need of a comfortable and spacious crossover." - Matt Smith
Read our most recent Honda Passport review
5. Kia Sportage
CarGurus expert rating: 7.3 out of 10
CarGurus user rating: 4.5 out of 5
Percentage of Good and Great Deals available on CarGurus: 35.6%
Overall CarGurus rating: 4.5 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Stylish design |
Fairly pedestrian performance |
| Great safety ratings |
X-Pro's underwhelming value proposition |
| Impressive technology |
|
Safety is a major selling point for the 2026 Kia Sportage, and it backs that up with top results: it earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Every Sportage also comes standard with a long list of driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist and lane following assist, plus front and rear parking sensors. Available upgrades like Highway Driving Assist (with lane centering), a surround-view camera system, and Blind-spot View Monitor add extra peace of mind for highway driving and tight parking lots.
Beyond crash-test scores, the Sportage is set up to work well as a family daily driver, with competitive headroom and rear-seat legroom that's among the best in the compact-SUV class. Cargo space is strong for the segment at 36.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded (or up to 39.6 and 74.1 cubic feet, respectively, with the dual-level cargo floor in its lower position). Tech is a highlight, too: a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen are standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—useful for keeping navigation and communication simple and less distracting on everyday drives.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The refreshed Sportage arrives with the competent execution we've come to expect from Kia, but the X-Pro Prestige model doesn't live up to the brand's reputation for value." - Stephen Edelstein
Read our most recent Kia Sportage review
6. Nissan Pathfinder
CarGurus expert rating: 7 out of 10
CarGurus user rating: 4.4 out of 5
Percentage of Good and Great Deals available on CarGurus: 35.4%
Overall CarGurus rating: 4.5 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Very spacious and easy to access all rows |
Sluggish powertrain |
| Useful and easy infotainment |
Mediocre efficiency |
| Impressive materials on upper trims |
Rock Creek trim is all bark and no bite |
If you're shopping for a safe family SUV, the Nissan Pathfinder checks several important boxes with its combination of strong crash-test performance and a long list of standard driver-assistance tech. It earned five out of five stars overall from NHTSA (though its frontal crash test score was four out of five stars), and IIHS has rated it "Good" in the side-impact and small-overlap front tests it has completed so far. Beyond the usual airbags, Nissan includes curtain airbags covering all three rows and second-row side-impact airbags, plus available features like a front-center side airbag on Platinum trims that helps prevent front occupants from colliding in a side impact.
Safety also ties into everyday usability, and the Pathfinder's family-friendly design makes it easier to take full advantage of its protections. The "Latch and Glide" second-row seats help keep child-seat routines simple by folding and sliding forward with a car seat installed, while visibility and straightforward physical controls reduce distraction in daily driving. Tech updates for 2026 add a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and available camera aids like Invisible Hood View and a 180-degree Front Wide View can be genuinely helpful for tight parking lots and crowded school drop-offs. Just keep expectations measured for acceleration from the 284-hp 3.5-liter V6 (259 lb-ft of torque), and note that available ProPilot Assist is version 1.0, meaning it helps on the highway but doesn't offer hands-free capability.
The CarGurus Verdict: "Verdict: The Pathfinder is a good choice for value, interior quality, and space, but rivals from Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia push the dials even further at a similar price." - Clifford Atiyeh
Read our most recent Nissan Pathfinder review
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7. Subaru Outback
CarGurus expert rating: 7.2 out of 10
CarGurus user rating: 4.6 out of 5
Percentage of Good and Great Deals available on CarGurus: 34.9%
Overall CarGurus rating: 4.5 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Strong off-road capabilities |
Higher trim levels have diminishing returns |
| Comfortable |
|
| Plenty of cargo space |
|
The redesigned Subaru Outback makes driver assistance tech a cornerstone of its appeal as an SUV-shaped daily driver, equipping every trim with a comprehensive standard safety suite. Every Outback comes standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep and lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, automatic emergency steering, and emergency stop assist. Crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS aren't available yet for this redesign, but Subaru's strong safety reputation and the Outback's broad standard equipment list are reassuring if you're comparing family-friendly options.
Safety also benefits from the Outback's real-world usability: a calmer, quieter cabin helps reduce fatigue, the redesigned dash brings back physical climate buttons so you can keep your eyes on the road, and the higher-mounted 12.1-inch touchscreen is positioned to reduce distraction. It's also a practical road-trip choice, with 34.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 80.5 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded, plus available features like a surround-view camera on certain trims that can be especially helpful for parking lots or trailheads. The standard AWD and composed ride make it easy to cover miles confidently in changing weather, whether you choose the 180-hp 2.5-liter engine (178 lb-ft of torque) or the 260-hp turbo 2.4-liter (277 lb-ft of torque).
The CarGurus Verdict: "In terms of price, performance, and practicality, we found no notable flaws with the redesigned Outback, making it a top choice for adventure-bound shoppers." - Mark Takahashi
Read our most recent Subaru Outback review
8. Honda HR-V
CarGurus expert rating: 5.3 out of 10
CarGurus user rating: 4.5 out of 5
Percentage of Good and Great Deals available on CarGurus: 32.4%
Overall CarGurus rating: 4.4 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Comfortable driver's seat |
Sluggish performance |
| Easy-to-use technology |
Poor fuel economy |
| Great safety ratings |
Uncomfortable back seat |
If you're shopping for a safety-focused small SUV, the 2026 Honda HR-V comes with a strong baseline of standard driver-assistance tech. Every HR-V includes Honda Sensing with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and automatic high beams. On the crash-test side, the HR-V earns favorable ratings from NHTSA, and the 2025 HR-V received an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award—though the IIHS hadn't published 2026 results at the time of this review, so it's smart to confirm the latest scores before buying.
The details matter, though, especially for a "safest SUVs" list: blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert isn't standard (it's limited to Sport and EX-L), and the available adaptive cruise control showed some inconsistent behavior in real-world traffic and on curves that required driver intervention. The EX-L adds front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking, which can help in tight parking situations. A 2026 update also brings a larger 9-inch touchscreen with faster responses plus wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, which helps reduce distraction, but the HR-V's safety story is strongest when you choose the trim with the key visibility aids you want.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The 2026 Honda HR-V is a simple, uncomplicated thing. And that’s its most appealing attribute." - Christian Wardlaw
Read our most recent Honda HR-V review
9. Kia EV9
CarGurus expert rating: 8.2 out of 10
CarGurus user rating: 5 out of 5
Percentage of Good and Great Deals available on CarGurus: 31.3%
Overall CarGurus rating: 4.4 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Innovative design |
High sticker price |
| Fast recharging times |
Certain Highway Driving Assist behaviors |
| Impressive technology |
Steering wheel blocks climate system display |
For SUV shoppers prioritizing safety, the Kia EV9 brings both strong crash-test results and a deep roster of advanced driver-assistance tech. The 2026 EV9 earned a five-star overall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rating, and it was named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ for the 2026 calendar year. Beyond the basics, available and standard features include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking that can help in intersections, plus blind-spot monitoring with steering assistance designed to intervene if you start to drift into an occupied lane. Highway Driving Assist (adaptive cruise control plus lane-centering and lane-change assist) is also standard, though its navigation-based speed adjustments and curve braking can behave inconsistently depending on the road.
That safety focus is paired with family-friendly practicality that matters in the real world, especially in a three-row SUV. The EV9's roomy cabin includes a genuinely usable third row for adults (as long as second-row passengers cooperate), and it backs that up with 20.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 43.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 81.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. Tech features like integrated blind-spot camera views in the instrument display, an available surround-view camera system, and available Remote Smart Parking Assist can make low-speed maneuvering feel more controlled in crowded school pickup lines and tight parking lots—exactly where many fender-benders happen.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The 2026 Kia EV9 offers usable driving range and fast recharging times in a powerful, innovative, and practical midsize three-row electric SUV. Roomy, comfortable, safe, and well-equipped, the 2026 EV9 is a terrific, technologically advanced EV." - Christian Wardlaw
Read our most recent Kia EV9 review
10. Hyundai Ioniq 9
CarGurus expert rating: 7.3 out of 10
CarGurus user rating: insufficient data
Percentage of Good and Great Deals available on CarGurus: 36.8%
Overall CarGurus rating: 3.7 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Very energy efficient |
Polarizing design |
| Great interior space |
Unimpressive driving dynamics |
| Competitive price tag |
|
For safety-minded SUV shoppers, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 puts a lot of emphasis on standard driver-assistance tech. Hyundai says every trim includes a full suite of ADAS features, including driver attention warning and Safe Exit Assist, plus Highway Driving Assist 2, which pairs lane-keeping assist with adaptive cruise control for supervised hands-free driving without requiring a subscription. Step up to the SEL trim and higher and you also get a surround-view monitor and parking aids, along with Hyundai's blind-spot view monitor that displays a live camera feed in the gauge cluster when you signal—an especially useful feature in a big three-row family hauler.
It's worth noting that crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS haven't been published yet, so shoppers focused on top-tier crash scores will want to check back as results become available. Even so, the Ioniq 9's family-friendly packaging supports day-to-day safety in its own way: huge rear doors make it easier to buckle kids into the second and third rows, and there are air vents for all three rows to keep passengers comfortable and alert on long drives. With a standard 110.3-kWh battery and over 300 miles of estimated range (up to 335 miles in S trim), it's also set up to reduce charging stops, and its quiet, soft ride can help keep the cabin calmer on busy highways.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The Hyundai Ioniq 9 isn't a perfect vehicle, but it offers terrific passenger space, good tech, and family-friendly features. Shoppers may find its design polarizing (you could easily say the same about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Ioniq 6), but families interested in electric vehicles will do well to test drive this new option." - Matt Smith
Read our most recent Hyundai Ioniq 9 review
The Safest SUVs FAQs
What safety features should I look for in a new SUV?
When shopping for a safe SUV, look for a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Key features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. Many top models also offer adaptive cruise control and surround-view camera systems, which make highway driving and tight parking maneuvers significantly safer and less stressful.
Are larger SUVs safer than smaller ones?
Generally, larger and heavier vehicles offer more protection in multi-vehicle crashes due to the laws of physics. However, modern compact SUVs like the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester are engineered with advanced high-strength steel and comprehensive airbag systems, allowing them to earn top crash-test scores and provide excellent protection for everyday driving.
Do electric SUVs like the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 have different safety ratings?
Electric SUVs undergo the same rigorous crash testing as gas-powered vehicles. In fact, their heavy battery packs lower the vehicle's center of gravity, which can reduce rollover risk. Additionally, the lack of a large front engine block allows engineers to design larger, more effective crumple zones to absorb impact energy during a frontal collision.
Who determines if an SUV is safe?
In the United States, the two primary organizations that evaluate vehicle safety are NHTSA and IIHS. NHTSA issues star ratings based on crash tests and rollover resistance, while the IIHS awards Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ designations based on extensive crash tests and collision-avoidance evaluations.
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The CarGurus market data used in this guide was last updated in July 2026. Values were accurate at time of publication and should be used as a guide only.
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