Safest SUVs of 2024

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.7/10

In its second year, the Mazda CX-50 compact SUV gets more features to enhance its energetic powertrain lineup, gorgeous styling and premium cabin. However, its athletic handling results in a firm ride, and the infotainment system is less user-friendly than most rivals’ systems.

The IIHS awarded the Mazda CX-50 a Top Safety Pick+ rating and the highest rating of Good in the four crash tests completed. In NHTSA testing, results are mixed. Early versions of the 2024 CX-50 have an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, although that rating does not apply to late 2024 models.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.7/10

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson falls far short of class standards in terms of performance, but it excels in nearly every other way. This compact SUV is spacious, comfortable and a great value.

NHTSA gave the 2024 Hyundai Tucson an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, and the IIHS conducted three crash tests giving the Tucson the highest score of Good.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.7/10

The Volvo XC90 is a luxury midsize SUV that fares well in our rankings despite some drawbacks. It’s spacious, elegant and comfortable, and its available upgraded powertrain provides enjoyable driving dynamics. However, the infotainment system is a little cumbersome, and the bigger optional wheels make the ride harsh.

In NHTSA testing, the XC90 earns an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, and in IIHS testing, this Volvo earns a Top Safety Pick rating and the highest score of Good in the three crash tests completed.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.7/10

In the competitive luxury midsize SUV segment, the 2024 Cadillac XT5 fails to stand out. While it’s spacious and efficient and has great safety features and tech, most competitors have better performance and nicer interiors.

In NHTSA testing, the XT5 earned an overall safety rating of five out of five stars. The IIHS gave the 2024 Cadillac XT5 the highest rating of Good in the two tests completed.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.7/10

The XC90 Recharge is a plug-in hybrid version of Volvo’s luxury midsize SUV. It offers the same amenities as the regular XC90, plus a substantial upgrade to 455 horsepower and the flexibility of all-electric range.

NHTSA gave the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, and the IIHS awarded the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating and the highest rating of Good in all four crash tests conducted.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.7/10

The Cadillac XT4 luxury subcompact SUV is updated for 2024 with new styling and updated infotainment displays. This safe crossover is a little dull to drive, but it’s spacious and comfortable.

Crash testing for the 2024 Cadillac XT4 is incomplete, with the IIHS conducting just two tests. However, the XT4 earned the top rating of Good in both.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.7/10

The Subaru Ascent is a great value for a midsize SUV. It’s not as upscale as some competitors, but it provides a great value with tons of standard safety features and standard all-wheel drive.

It earned NHTSA’s five-star overall rating, and from the IIHS, it earned the coveted Top Safety Pick+ rating.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.7/10

The Ford Explorer is an appealing midsize SUV with tons of options, from powertrains to seating configurations to tech upgrades. However, for 2024, the hybrid version has been discontinued.

The 2024 Ford Explorer earned an overall safety rating of five out of five stars in NHTSA testing. The IIHS awarded the Explorer a Top Safety Pick+ rating and the highest rating of Good in four crash tests, with other testing as yet incomplete.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.7/10

The Kia Seltos subcompact crossover is refreshed for 2024 with updated styling and features. This Kia has user-friendly technology and is more spacious than it looks.

The 2024 Kia Seltos hasn’t yet been fully crash tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. In three IIHS crash tests, the Seltos earned the highest rating of Good, and in the NHTSA rollover test, it received four out of five stars.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.7/10

For 2024, the Buick Encore GX subcompact crossover gets updated styling, a new digital dashboard and a tweaked trim lineup. This Buick is spacious and efficient, although the base engine is dull and some of the interior materials are disappointing.

NHSTA gave the 2024 Encore GX an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, and in IIHS testing, the Encore GX earned the highest rating of Good in the three tests completed.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.8/10

The Ford Bronco Sport is a spacious, comfortable compact SUV with standard four-wheel drive and impressive off-road capability. However, its ride can be harsh on pavement, and it uses more fuel than most competitors.

NHTSA gave the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, and the IIHS gaveit the highest rating of Good in all three evaluated crash tests.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.8/10

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is a great family SUV. It’s spacious, comfortable to ride in and has good acceleration. It’s a little less efficient than some rival hybrid SUVs, though. However, its EPA fuel mileage ratings aren’t quite as good as some competitors' numbers.

In NHTSA testing, the Tucson Hybrid falls a little short of the rest of the vehicles on this list, with a four-star overall rating. However, it earned top scores in IIHS testing, with a Top Safety Pick+ rating for the 2022 model.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.8/10

The Mazda CX-30 is one of the most fun-to-drive subcompact SUVs on the market, and it’s a good value too, with great design, plenty of standard features and an upscale cabin.

This Mazda earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2023, with top scores in the crash tests rated for the 2024 model. It also earned a NHTSA five-star overall rating, with four stars in the rollover test.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.8/10

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade is the top midsize SUV in our rankings. It’s stylish and well rounded, and it's a finalist for two of our 2024 awards: Best 3-Row SUV for the Money and Best 3-Row SUV for Families.

The Palisade is a 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick, earning the highest rating of Good in four crash tests. In NHTSA testing, the Palisade earned five out of five stars in the frontal crash test and four stars in the rollover test.

Standard safety features include:

Estimated U.S. News Safety Score: 9.8/10

The Subaru Solterra is in its second year for 2024 and represents the brand’s first fully electric model. It’s quiet, comfortable and capable of some off-roading, but it has a short range compared to most rivals.

The Solterra has a NHTSA five-star overall rating, with four stars in the rollover test. It’s also an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2024.

Standard safety features include:

Estimated U.S. News Safety Score: 9.8/10

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 is an electric crossover with a value starting price, a ton of features, good handling and plenty of cargo space. It does have some drawbacks, such as a short range in the most affordable model and a confusing infotainment system, but it’s a good pick for a safe EV at an accessible price.

The ID.4 earned a five-star overall NHTSA rating, though the rollover test resulted in a four-star score. It’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ too, and the standard headlights received a top rating for road illumination.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 9.9/10

The Tesla Model Y is one of the luxury EV brand’s most affordable vehicles, and its many amenities include interesting driver-assistance technology. However, Tesla’s build quality is known to be erratic, and the infotainment system has a significant learning curve, with no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

This Tesla is a good pick for withstanding a crash. It gets five out of five stars across the board from the NHTSA, and it earns top marks from IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick+ rating.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 10/10

Now in its second year, the Genesis GV60 maintains its perfect safety score. This luxury electric SUV is efficient, stylish, comfortable and loaded with technology.

In IIHS testing, the GV60 earned top scores across the board as well as a 2024 Top Safety Pick+ rating. The NHTSA has not tested the 2024 GV60 as of this writing.

Standard safety features include:

U.S. News Safety Score: 10/10

Now in its third year, the Kia EV6 earns a spot near the top of our electric SUV rankings. It has some drawbacks, including mediocre cargo capacity and an awkward infotainment interface, but it does most other things well.

The IIHS awarded the EV6 top Good scores in the three crash tests conducted so far. In NHTSA testing, the 2024 EV6 earned a five-star overall rating.

Standard driver-assistance features:

U.S. News Safety Score: 10/10

Now in its fourth year, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is considerably more expensive than it was immediately following its 2021 debut. However, this EV combines great efficiency with impressive performance.

The 2024 Mustang Mach-E hasn’t been fully crash tested by the NHTSA, but earned five stars in the side crash and rollover tests. It also earned top marks in all IIHS tests, with a Top Safety Pick rating for the similar 2022 model.

Standard safety features include:

What is the best and safest SUV? 

Four SUVs have perfect safety ratings: the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, Genesis GV60, Kia EV6 and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

What is the safest small SUV?

The Mazda CX-30 is the safest small SUV.

What is the safest midsize SUV?

With safety scores of 9.9 out of 10, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Lincoln Nautilus are the highest-rated midsize SUVs on this list.

What SUVs have a five-star safety rating?

Nearly all of the SUVs on this list that have been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have a five-star overall rating from that organization.

Modern SUVs offer a variety of standard safety features beyond airbags and backup cameras. Here are some common ones to look for:

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