These Are 12 Of The Safest SUVs You Can Buy In 2026, According To The IIHS

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tightened its “Top Safety Pick+” criteria for 2026, demanding even higher standards for pedestrian and backseat passenger protection. Despite the elevated bar, 45 vehicles earned the top award this year, with SUVs dominating the list. These models not only aced the IIHS’s rigorous crash tests but also delivered standout performance across all core safety categories. To ensure a global perspective, we cross-referenced these results with ratings from the NHTSA and Euro NCAP, confirming that these SUVs are among the safest on the road today.

**2026 Subaru Forester**
Subaru’s latest-generation Forester has shed its station wagon roots in favor of a more modern SUV silhouette, but the real upgrades lie under the skin—especially in safety. Every trim now comes standard with Subaru’s Advanced EyeSight driver-assist suite, packing pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping and sway warnings, automatic emergency steering, blind-spot detection with lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Passive safety is equally robust, with dual-stage front airbags, a driver knee airbag, front-seat side airbags, and curtain airbags for both rows. The IIHS awarded the Forester its highest “Good” rating in every major test category, including small and moderate overlap front crashes, side impacts, whiplash prevention, headlight performance, and front crash prevention (both vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian). The SUV also earned an “Acceptable” rating in just two sub-categories: lower leg/foot driver injury protection and side structure strength. The NHTSA gave it a perfect 5-star overall rating, with 5 stars in frontal and side crashes and 4 in rollover resistance. Euro NCAP also bestowed its top 5-star rating on the Forester.

**2026 Mazda CX-30**
The Mazda CX-30, originally launched in 2020, continues to impress with its “Top Safety Pick+” accolade. The 2026 model earns a “Good” rating in nearly every IIHS category, with the exception of vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, which received an “Acceptable” score. The NHTSA awarded it a flawless 5-star overall rating, mirroring the Forester’s performance in frontal and side crashes (5 stars) and rollover resistance (4 stars). Euro NCAP also gave the CX-30 a 5-star rating, including a 99% score in Adult Occupant Protection. Mazda refreshed the CX-30 for 2026 with a larger 10.25-inch display on select trims and made a limited-slip differential standard for sharper handling, enhancing its sporty edge. The SUV comes standard with Mazda’s Radar Cruise Control with stop-and-go, lane departure warning with lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and high-beam control. Higher trims add rear smart brake support, cross-traffic braking, and front/rear parking sensors. All-wheel drive is standard across the lineup. Passive safety features include dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, knee airbags for front passengers, side impact air curtains, and child seat anchors.

**2026 Honda Passport**
Honda’s fourth-generation Passport marks a bold shift toward a rugged, off-road-focused design, particularly in the TrailSport trim, which boasts higher ground clearance, off-road suspension, and all-terrain tires. The SUV’s safety credentials are equally impressive, anchored by Honda Sensing, which includes collision mitigation braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic jam assist, lane-keeping assist, a driver attention monitor, and a blind-spot information system. The Passport’s body structure is reinforced with Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering, enhanced for the latest model. Passive protection includes eight airbags—featuring a three-chamber passenger airbag for better angled frontal impact defense—plus front knee airbags and side curtain airbags. The IIHS rewarded these efforts with a “Top Safety Pick+” rating, and the SUV’s safety profile is further validated by its strong performance in global assessments.