To say today’s SUVs and minivans drive safer than those of 15 years ago isn’t nonsense. Not only do the recent crop of advanced safety features find their way into both segments, but the materials forming the vehicle structures of today are stronger.
Moreover, techniques to direct the impact force of collisions to areas of the frame and body where it will do the least harm constantly evolve and improve. Yes, today’s SUVs and minivans drive safer than those of decades past.
However, the war isn’t won. Still, crashes happen, injuries occur, and lives get lost on the streets, roads, and highways every day. Although it represents about a 4% decrease from 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 39,345 people died in traffic accidents in 2024. It’s also the first time the number of traffic deaths fell below 40,000 since 2020.
The reality is that some SUVs and minivans provide a better chance of walking away from a crash or avoiding one altogether than others. Those are the vehicles on our list. Read on to learn which SUVs and minivans we consider the safest and why.
- Picking the SUVs and Minivans: Methodology
- Vehicle Crash and Safety Testing
- The Safest SUVs List
- The Safest Minivans List
- IIHS TSP Award Winners
Picking the SUVs and Minivans: Methodology
We based our safest SUVs and minivans list on those with the highest crash test and safety ratings from NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both organizations evaluate the safety of vehicles through crash and safety testing. We go into more detail about how they conduct those tests below.
Moreover, we evaluate the level of safety features and advanced safety/driver assist technologies. Several safety features we take for granted, like stability control, traction control, tire pressure monitors, rearview cameras, and antilock brakes, are now government-mandated. Federal law requires carmakers to make them standard for every new car, light truck, minivan, and SUV. Consequently, we don’t itemize them in our vehicle descriptions.
The government also mandates airbags. However, that mandate only includes the two front airbags to protect the driver and front passenger. Many of today’s passenger vehicles provide at least six airbags. In addition to the two front airbags, you also find two front side-impact and two side curtain airbags. Every model on this list has at least six airbags. We note those models with more than six.
Advanced Safety Technologies
We are convinced that advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are critical for the safety of you and your family when in your SUV or minivan. In research published in August 2023, AAA reported that 37 million crashes could be prevented over the next 30 years with the widespread adoption of ADAS. Moreover, preventing those millions of crashes could save 250,000 lives while preventing 14 million injuries. Consequently, ADAS ranks high in our list of safest SUVs and minivans.
We looked closely at the advanced active safety technologies and other features providing an extra degree of protection. Among the active advanced safety features we considered are forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. We believe that other factors that contribute to the safe operation of an SUV include LED headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a head-up display.
Key Advanced Tech in Vehicles
Here’s the list of the more prominent advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies we looked for. Different carmakers have various names for the technologies we list here; however, we use popular industry names.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Once locked in, adaptive cruise control maintains a preset speed. However, it also responds to the changing speed of the vehicle ahead. As it slows, so does your vehicle. Some systems bring your vehicle to a complete stop if necessary. Traffic Jam Assist is a form of adaptive cruise control. It’s engineered specifically for slow-moving, stop-and-go city traffic.
- Adaptive Front Lights: Swiveling in the direction in which the front wheels turn, these headlights light the way when taking a curve or making a turn.
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Usually paired with forward collision warning, AEB senses when your vehicle is likely to strike an object in front of it and automatically applies the brakes. The IIHS requires AEB for its Top Safety Pick (TSP) and Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) qualifications, so we don’t cite it in our model descriptions.
- Blind-Spot Monitoring (BSM): Designed to detect and warn you of vehicles entering the outboard-mirror blind spots on your vehicle’s flanks, BSM uses sensors mounted on the corners of the rear bumper to detect approaching vehicles.
- Driver Monitoring System (DMS): Employing cameras and other sensors, DMS determines if a driver’s attention is still on the road. Some manufacturers call this Driver Awareness Alert.
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW): Using a camera or a combination of camera and radar, FCW detects an impending frontal crash, sounding an audible alert. More sophisticated FCW systems include emergency braking in cases when the driver fails to respond to the warning. The IIHS requires FCW for TSP+ qualification; therefore, we don’t cite it in our model descriptions.
- High-Beam Assist: The headlight high beams are always engaged in vehicles with this system. The system automatically switches off the high beams when photosensors or a forward-pointed camera sense approaching headlights or taillights. It automatically switches them back on when no vehicle lights are detected.
- Junction-Turning Assist (JTA): Sometimes called “intersection-turning assist,” this system detects oncoming traffic when making a left turn in an intersection. It sounds a warning, with most systems also automatically braking the vehicle.
- Lane-Centering Assist (LCA): Using a forward-pointed camera, LCA reads the lane marking and keeps the vehicle centered. LCA is a proactive system that constantly makes small steering corrections to keep the vehicle centered in the lane.
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW): While monitoring the defining lines on the pavement outlining your driving lane, a front-pointed camera recognizes when you drift too near one of them. The system will issue an auditory warning if you don’t engage the turn signal. More sophisticated systems have steering assist, nudging you back toward the center.
- Lane-Following Assist (LFA): If lane markings aren’t clearly defined, LFA keeps your vehicle on the same course as the preceding vehicle.
- Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA): Similar to lane departure systems with steering assist, LKA doesn’t issue an auditory warning. Instead, also using a forward-pointed camera to keep track of lane markings, LKA reacts to a vehicle drifting toward a lane marking. It then initiates steering corrections to keep your vehicle within the lane boundaries.
- Park Assist: Sensors located on the rear or front bumper detect an object approaching when traveling at low speeds. When they do, the system sounds an auditory alarm. More sophisticated systems also provide automatic braking.
- Parking Assistance: These systems vary in their scope and name. However, they can usually parallel park or diagonally park the vehicle with little or no driver input.
- Pedestrian Detection: A more advanced version of forward collision warning, this system detects pedestrians and other vehicles.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA): This alert warns of traffic crossing behind you when backing out of a parking space.
- Safe Exit Assist: Radar-based, this feature detects approaching traffic and prevents the door from opening while sounding a warning.
- Surround-View Camera: A series of at least four cameras grabs images around the vehicle. The system knits these images together to present an overhead image of the vehicle and its surroundings. Some carmakers call this system a bird’s-eye view or 360-degree monitoring. This is helpful when maneuvering through tight spaces or parking.
- Traffic Jam Assist (TJA): This is low-speed adaptive cruise control for stop-and-go city traffic or heavy highway congestion.
- Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR): Capable of recognizing an array of common road signs, this system displays recognized signs on one of the display screens or the head-up display.
Other Vehicle Features Adding Safety
- Auto On/Off Headlights: Photosensors monitor daylight, automatically engaging the headlights as the daylight dims and extinguishing them as daylight returns.
- Auto-Dimming Mirrors: Using photosensors, they detect bright headlights approaching from behind, automatically dimming the reflection of those lights. Any inside or outboard rearview mirrors can include this feature.
- Head-Up Display (HUD): Engineered to help shorten the time a driver’s eyes are off the road, a HUD projects crucial information onto the windshield just below the driver’s line of sight. This projected image allows you to check information, like vehicle speed, in less time than glancing down at the speedometer.
- Heated Outboard Mirrors: Electrically heated, these mirrors automatically clear the mirror surface of snow, ice, and fog.
- Hill Start Assist: Sensors alert the system that you stopped on an incline. Therefore, transferring your foot from the brake to the accelerator retains brake pressure to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward.
- LED Headlights: These headlamps illuminate a wider and longer area than regular incandescent or halogen lights; LED headlights are also easier for other drivers to spot. All exterior LED lights (taillights, fog lights, and daytime running lights [DRLs]) improve visibility and safety.
- Outboard Mirrors With Integrated Turn Signals: These mirrors have turn signal repeaters located on their outer shells.
- Rain-Sensing Wipers: This system automatically engages the wipers when it senses moisture on the windshield. The wiper speed adjusts, compensating for the volume of rain.
- Rear Occupant Alert: Upon exiting the vehicle, this system sounds auditory reminders to check the back seat for children and pets.
- Rearview Mirror Camera: With the press of a button, the image in the rearview mirror can switch from a reflection of what is behind the vehicle to an image from a rear-pointed camera. If something like luggage is blocking the reflection, the camera image still sees what is behind the vehicle, even providing a wider view.
Vehicle Crash and Safety Testing
The IIHS and NHTSA remain the most universally acknowledged crash and safety testing experts. Here is a summary of their processes.
IIHS
Independent and nonprofit, the IIHS gains its funding from auto insurers and insurance associations. Currently, it performs three core crash tests on cars, light trucks, minivans, and SUVs, which were critical to our research. They include a driver-side small overlap front, updated moderate overlap front, and the updated side test. The side protocol tests both the driver and passenger side; therefore, you could technically call the side protocol two tests for a total of four.
A vehicle can earn scores of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor. Every model on our list earned the highest score of Good for every testing scenario.
TIP: The IIHS changed its side crash-test protocol in 2021, incorporating a heavier ram. Although the results of this new version of the test were shown in some vehicles’ results in the past couple of years, 2023 was the first year the IIHS figured those results into a vehicle’s scoring. Consequently, testing and finalizing the 2023, 2024, and 2025 scores required extra time. An ongoing difficulty of the IIHS and NHTSA acquiring vehicles for testing has slowed the testing process considerably.
In addition to the crash tests, the IIHS assesses other features as they apply to safety, such as headlights, vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention. Scoring for this group of tests tops out at Superior, descending to Advanced and Basic. The IIHS also considers the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child-seat systems.
Only SUVs scoring high marks in both the crash and safety scenarios earn the IIHS’ most coveted safety awards of Top Safety Pick (TSP) and Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+). All of our picks are ones the IIHS named to the TSP or TSP+ lists. The difference between the two awards is that the TSP+ winners are vehicles picked for scoring Good in all three tests. The TSP winners scored Good in two of the tests, scoring only Acceptable in the updated moderate overlap front test.
Note: When the IIHS tests vehicles, they treat plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and electric vehicles (EV) as distinct models, scoring them separately from internal combustion engine (ICE) models. However, the IIHS views hybrid models that don’t require charging through an outside source as a trim level of the ICE model. If a gas-powered model made this list with a TSP or TSP+ rating, its hybrid version did, too.
NHTSA
NHTSA is an agency of the federal Department of Transportation. It only performs front and side crash tests and uses a 1-Star to 5-Star scoring system. The highest score is the 5-Star rating. Nearly every SUV on our list received the 5-Star overall score.
The front crash-test protocol involves running a vehicle into a fixed barrier at 35 miles per hour. NHTSA combines the results of side-barrier and driver’s door side-pole crashes to arrive at a side crash score. There is a rollover scenario where NHTSA doesn’t perform a crash test. Instead, it tests vehicles for their likelihood of rolling over. Star ratings are also awarded for the rollover test.
However, there are a handful of SUVs on this list that NHTSA has yet to test. Mostly, they are untested new or redesigned models. We include those here on the strength of their IIHS score and note the lack of a government rating in the description.
The Safest SUVs
This list contains 2025 models. However, some makers, like Toyota, had already begun marketing a few 2026 models when this was written. Our experience has been that the IIHS TSP and TSP+ apply to subsequent model years if the vehicle is unchanged and the IIHS hasn’t changed its testing protocols. We are confident the 2026 models we include will retain their spot on the TSP or TSP+ lists for 2025. Prices are the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), including the mandatory factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge). The prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
2025 Acura MDX
Starting Price: $52,550
IIHS Rating: TSP
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.5
This 3-row luxury Acura MDX shines for its roomy cabin and advanced technologies. Acura loads every MDX with seven airbags, hill start assist, a rear camera washer, heated outboard mirrors, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Also included are auto on/off LED headlights and high-beam assist. Every MDX also provides the AcuraWatch bundle of advanced safety and driver-aid technologies. Included are lane departure warning with steering assist, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard, as well.
Stepping up a notch to the MDX with Technology Package gains a little more advanced tech. Front/rear park assist with automatic braking assist, rain-sensing wipers, and AcuraLink with Real-Time Traffic are included. We don’t think the higher price makes value sense in terms of safety gained. We recommend going with the base MDX. If you consider all-wheel drive (AWD) a safety item, you can pick up Acura’s impressive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive for $2,200.
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2025 Audi Q6 e-tron
Starting Price: $65,095
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: N/A
A fully electric compact SUV, the all-new Audi Q6 e-tron has an estimated range of 321 miles. A single-motor, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) version with 302 horsepower anchors the model lineup. All-wheel-drive (quattro) versions can pump out as much as 509 hp with launch control. Among our considered standard features are auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, heated and auto-dimming power outboard mirrors, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Also included are advanced safety/driver-assist tech like automatic emergency braking, intersection assist, front cross-traffic assist, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, front/rear park assist, Park Assist Plus (self-parking system), and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking. Spending roughly $5,000 brings you Premium Plus with an upgraded adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera.
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2025 Audi Q7
Starting Price: $61,795
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.5
Despite being introduced in 2017, the current generation Audi Q7 displays inherent safety, as evidenced by its inclusion on the 2025 IIHS TSP+ list. Moreover, Audi gave it a bit of a sprucing up for 2025. We characterize this large luxury SUV’s driving demeanor as stately. It is comfortable, quiet, and well-balanced. Among our recommended safety features are LED headlights and taillights, high-beam assist, auto-dimming outboard mirrors, hill start assist, and rain-sensing wipers.
From our advanced safety tech list, the Q7 provides adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and front-rear park assist. For an affordable $1,100, you can add the Convenience Package with a surround-view monitor, among other goodies. We’d take the package and stick with the entry-level Q7 Premium grade.
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2025 BMW X5
Starting Price: $67,475
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.7
A perennial favorite of our editors, the BMW X5 is a midsize luxury SUV that delivers behind-the-wheel thrills, a premium cabin, and top-notch safety. We’ve priced the entry-level, rear-wheel-drive, 375-hp version here. Other models come with all-wheel drive. From our list of recommended safety features are auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, hill-descent control, heated power outboard mirrors with driver-side auto dimming, Dynamic (adaptive) Cruise Control, rain-sensing wipers, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Standard advanced safety/driver-assist technologies include front/rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. BMW also offers a plug-in hybrid version of the X5; however, the IIHS has yet to test it.
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2025 Buick Enclave
Starting Price: $46,595
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: N/A
A midsize SUV, the Buick Enclave is the brand’s flagship and largest SUV. Redesigned for 2025, it boasts plenty of space for cargo and people. Moreover, Buick’s penchant for quiet passenger environments makes for a more relaxing ride. Thrust comes from a 328-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Among our recommended safety features are auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals and driver-side auto dimming, eight airbags, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
The safety and driver-assist bundle of advanced tech includes blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, LED windshield collision alert, rear cross-traffic alert with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, safety alert (haptic) driver’s seat, surround-view camera, emergency automatic braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, adaptive cruise control, and more. Available on all three Enclave trims is Super Cruise, the eyes-on-the-road self-driving system. A few other safety items are optional or standard on higher trims, but we’d say the entry-level Enclave has it pretty well covered.
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2025 Chevrolet Traverse
Starting Price: $42,195
IIHS Rating: TSP
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.3
Kissing cousin to the Buick Enclave, the Chevrolet Traverse shares its underpinnings and wide-open spaces. Redesigned in 2024, the Traverse moved upmarket in 2025 by eliminating its base trim, while adding an upper trim. Even so, its starting price is notably lower than the Enclave. Safety features include auto on/off LED headlights, heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, high-beam assist, and eight airbags.
The impressive list of standard advanced safety/driver-assist technologies includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, intersection turning assist with automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert with pedestrian detection and reverse automatic braking, blind-zone monitoring with steering assist, safety alert driver’s seat, rear park assist, side bicyclist alert, and more. Super Cruise is also offered across the lineup. Other safety tech is available as options or standard on upper trim; however, we think the base Traverse is well-stocked in that department.
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2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Starting Price: $39,990
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.6
Despite Mustang being part of its nameplate, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is a fully electric SUV. It delivers an estimated maximum range of 320 miles. Its 5-passenger capacity and cargo space are about average among rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Among its safety features are auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, heated outboard mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a surround-view camera, and nine airbags.
Its advanced safety/driver-assist technologies include automatic emergency braking, intersection assist with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. Also included is Active Park Assist 2.0 and Blue Cruise capability, which is Ford’s eyes-on-the-road self-driving system. Nearly every safety system available for the Mach-E is standard in the base trim.
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2025 Genesis GV60
Starting Price: $53,845
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.5
In its Standard RWD trim, the fully electric GV60 delivers an estimated maximum range of 294 miles. This small luxury SUV is big on safety. Of our sought-after safety features, the GV60 provides 10 airbags, LED headlights, high-beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a head-up display.
The GV60 also boasts a rich array of advanced safety tech. For example, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, safe exit assist, adaptive cruise control, and a driver monitoring system are all standard. Stepping up to the all-wheel-drive Advanced AWD grade adds safety tech like a blind-spot view monitor and a surround-view camera. Remote Smart Parking Assist is also standard, allowing you to pull your GV60 into or out of a tight parking spot from outside the vehicle. Still, we’d stick with the Standard trim.
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2025 Genesis Electrified GV70
Starting Price: $68,400
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.4
Genesis is marketing the all-wheel-drive Electrified GV70 in fewer than 35 states. The Electrified GV70 delivers up to an EPA-estimated 236-mile range. A small luxury SUV, it is a serious urban warrior. The government has yet to safety-rate the Electrified GV70; however, the IIHS gave it the nod as a TSP+ for 2025. The entry-level Advanced trim, stocked with many of our recommended safety features, provides auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, eight airbags, auto-dimming mirrors (rearview and outboard), rain-sensing wipers, hill start assist, and a surround-view monitor.
Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, blind-spot view monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, driver monitoring system, rear-park assist, and safe exit alert are standard. Moreover, Genesis equips the Electrified GV70 with Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing you to park the car without being behind the steering wheel. Highway Driving Assist is standard and can accelerate, brake, and steer the vehicle under certain circumstances.
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2025 Genesis GV70
Starting Price: $47,650
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.8
An IIHS TSP+ for 2025, the GV70 is also our highest-rated Luxury Compact SUV of 2025. It checks all the boxes for comfort, design, driving experience, warranties, and, of course, safety. Its 2.5T Standard AWD trim provides LED headlights, high-beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, eight airbags, hill start assist, and heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals.
Among our sought-after safety technologies are standard lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, rear-park assist, adaptive cruise control, and safe exit assist. Suppose you spend another $6,000 for the Advance Package. In that case, you gain a surround-view monitor, reverse automatic braking, and Highway Driving Assist that can accelerate, steer, and brake the vehicle independently in certain circumstances. We’d stay with the Standard grade. If your local dealership has the 2026 model in stock, which benefits from a midcycle refresh, pricing starts at $50,480.
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2025 Genesis GV80
Starting Price: $59,695
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.8
Our highest-rated Luxury Midsize SUV of 2025, the GV80, gets a little makeover this year. Roomy, quiet, and loaded with technology and convenience features, even in its 2.5T AWD entry-level trim, the TSP+ Genesis GV80 is a standout. From our suggested safety features, it has LED headlights, high-beam assist, auto-dimming mirrors (rearview and outboard), rain-sensing wipers, 10 airbags, and a hill-start assist.
Its advanced safety tech consists of front/rear park assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, and a driver monitoring system. Popping for the 2.5T Advanced AWD Package will set you back about $8,000, while gaining you a surround-view monitor and Parking Collision Avoidance Assist, which automatically brakes the vehicle when parking if it senses an obstacle. Also included is Remote Smart Parking Assist, which allows you to pull into or out of a parking space from outside the vehicle. We think these upgrades are interesting; however, we’d stay with the base trim.
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2025 GMC Acadia
Starting Price: $44,495
IIHS Rating: TSP
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.3
Also sharing mechanical DNA with the Chevy Traverse and Buick Encore, the GMC Acadia’s starting price falls between them. It is equally as roomy and comfy. It shares the same turbocharged powertrain. Numbered among our recommended safety features are auto on/off LED headlights, heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, eight airbags,
Its advanced safety/driver-assist tech includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, intersection turning assist with automatic braking, side bicyclist alert, a surround-view monitor, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with pedestrian detection, rear park assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Super Cruise is available. We’d stick with the base Elevation trim.
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2025 Honda HR-V
Starting Price: $26,850
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.5
Built on the Civic platform, the HR-V provides plenty of interior space and delivers a smooth ride. We are also mightily impressed with the HR-V’s upscale cabin. You might not expect an SUV at this price point to provide an abundance of our recommended safety features and tech. However, the base HR-V LX delivers several of them. They include on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, and hill start assist. Among the safety technologies are lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and traffic sign recognition. Nine airbags are located around the cabin.
You must step up to the Sport grade to gain blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals. Although we think those features are important, we wouldn’t spend the extra two grand for them. Consequently, we recommend going with the HR-V LX.
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2025 Honda Pilot
Starting Price: $41,690
IIHS Rating: TSP
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.7
The Honda Pilot dropped the base LX trim for 2025, leaving the Sport as the entry-level grade. We think this SUV’s rugged exterior styling surrounds the most family-friendly Pilot yet. The IIHS awarded the Pilot a spot on its TSP list. Its cabin is roomy and includes a handy feature that allows you to choose between 7- and 8-passenger seating on the fly. It also comes standard with an impressive roster of helpful features.
Nicely equipped, the Pilot Sport comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, as well as high-beam assist, hill descent control, and hill start assist. Honda Sensing includes lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic sign recognition. It has eight airbags, including an innovative 3-chamber front-side airbag. You can add front/rear parking sensors by moving up to the EX-L, but we don’t think that’s a solid reason to fork out another three grand.
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2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Starting Price: $44,200
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.7
Our Kelley Blue Book Best Buy among electric vehicles, the Ioniq 5, has an estimated maximum range of 318 miles. We particularly appreciate its roomy cabin crammed with cutting-edge technology. We also like it because it provides many of our recommended safety features, such as LED headlights, high-beam assist, eight airbags, heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, and hill-start assist. Not yet rated by NHTSA, the Ioniq 5 did make the IIHS TSP+ list.
Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, driver monitoring system, safe exit assist, and adaptive cruise control are standard across all Ioniq grades. You also get Hyundai’s semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist, which can brake, steer, and accelerate the vehicle under certain conditions. Increasing the bottom line by $7,000 for the SEL adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror, front park assist, and Hyundai’s semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist 2, which includes lane-change assist. Save your money and stay with the SE Standard Range.
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2025 Hyundai Tucson
Starting Price: $30,200
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.5
Also available as a hybrid and a PHEV, the Hyundai Tucson compact SUV balances practicality, technology, safety, and style. Its place on the IIHS list of TSP winners evidences its emphasis on safety. Its standard LED headlights, high-beam assist, eight airbags, and hill start assist are among our suggested features.
Its advanced safety tech includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, junction-turning assist, driver monitoring system, and safe exit assist. If we were making the decision, we’d put forth another $2,200 for the SEL grade for the wealth of extra features; however, none of them have any additional safety benefit. Consequently, for our purposes here, we say stick with the SE.
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2025 Infiniti QX60
Starting Price: $51,550
IIHS Rating: TSP
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.0
A sporty-looking 3-row luxury SUV, the Infiniti QX60 is a hoot to drive under any conditions and rather impressive in the snow when armed with available all-wheel drive. Competitively priced for a luxury SUV, the QX60 is smartly outfitted with several of our suggested safety features, even in its entry-level Pure trim. For example, the Pure includes rain-sensing wipers, hill-start assist, auto on/off LED headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 10 airbags, and heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals. Among the standard safety tech are blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic emergency braking. It also comes with high-beam assist, lane departure warning, and rear park assist.
Infiniti doesn’t offer any options for the Pure; consequently, you must move up to the Luxe grade to gain a surround-view camera, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and front park assist. Blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto-dimming outboard mirrors are also standard with Luxe. Moreover, stepping up to the Luxe includes navigation-based ProPilot that helps the driver steer, brake, and accelerate the QX60 under certain conditions. Our advice is to pick the Luxe grade. In any event, the QX60 is an IIHS TSP.
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2025 Infiniti QX80
Starting Price: $84,445
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.0
Fully redesigned for 2025, the full-size luxury Infiniti QX80 has no shortage of personality. Head-turning good looks and impressive driving dynamics for a big SUV, the QX80 checks a lot of boxes — not the least of which is safety. Among our recommended safety features, the QX80 provides auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, heated power outboard mirrors with auto dimming and integrated turn signals, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and eight airbags.
Automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, a surround-view camera, lane departure warning, and more are among the standard advanced safety/driver-assist tech. Also standard is ProPilot Assist 1.1, which has adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and speed-limit assist. We think this is a strong lineup of safety tech for an entry-level SUV; therefore, we say stick with the base model.
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2025 Kia EV9
Starting Price: $56,395
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.7
All-new for 2024, the Kia EV9 is a 3-row, all-electric SUV. The entry-level rear-wheel-drive Light trim has an estimated maximum range of 230 miles. Opting for the Light Long Range extends that estimate to 304 miles. It has earned accolades since its introduction, and the IIHS added the EV9 to its list of TSP+ winners. The EV9 comes with 10 airbags, hill-start assist, auto on/off LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals.
Included in the EV9’s standard Drive Wise advanced safety tech are high-beam assist, junction-turning assist, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and navigation-assisted adaptive cruise control that adjusts the speed when entering/exiting a curve. Drive Wise also provides front-rear park assist, safe-exit assist, and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2 semi-autonomous driving system that can steer, brake, and accelerate the EV9 under certain conditions. Moving up through the EV9 grades doesn’t add much in the way of advanced safety features until you reach the pinnacle of trim levels, the GT-Line. We’d stick with the Light trim or spend the extra five grand for the Light Long Range for the additional range.
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2025 Kia Telluride
Starting Price: $37,885
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.8
Winner of our 2025 Midsize SUV Best Buy Award, the Kia Telluride represents everything most families want or need in a large SUV. A kissing cousin to the Hyundai Palisade, the Telluride combines handsome styling with a smooth ride and cutting-edge technology. It maintains a spot on the IIHS TSP+ list.
The good news for Telluride shoppers is that the entry-level LX trim comes loaded with many of our suggested safety features and tech. For example, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, auto on/off projector LED headlights, high-beam assist, hill start assist, and safe exit assist are standard. Heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals and seven airbags are standard, too. In its Drive Wise bundle of safety tech, Kia includes junction-turning assist, lane departure warning, lane-following assist, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Stepping up to the EX only gains an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Stay with the LX for the best safety value.
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2025 Lexus NX
Starting Price: $42,260
IIHS Rating: TSP
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.5
Even the entry-level NX 250 provides all the safety features and advanced technologies available for the Lexus NX. That’s regardless of the trim level. NHTSA still hasn’t issued a safety rating for the NX. However, IIHS awarded the Lexus NX, NX 350h, and NX 450h+ the TSP rating. The PHEV is still in testing. The 250 is the only NX with standard front-wheel drive (FWD). All-wheel drive is a $1,600 option. The rest have all-wheel drive as standard. Among our sought-after safety features, the 250 provides auto on/off LED headlights, eight airbags, and heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals. An auto-dimming rearview mirror and rain-sensing wipers are standard, as well.
Leading off the advanced safety technologies are adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning with steering assist, traffic sign recognition, safe exit assist, and front/rear park assist with automatic braking.
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2025 Lincoln Nautilus
Starting Price: $55,535
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.1
The second-generation Lincoln Nautilus is loaded with the latest technology right out of the box, and it’s an IIHS TSP+. Opt for the hybrid version to improve the mixed-driving fuel economy by 6 mpg. We like the Nautilus for its roomy and eerily quiet cabin. Adaptive LED headlights, high-beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, eight airbags, heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, and hill start assist are standard in the hardly entry-level Premiere trim.
Also included with the Premiere grade is Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Vision 2.2. It provides adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, front/rear park assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, lane departure alert, safe exit alert, evasive-steering assist, junction-turning assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera. You also receive a 90-day free trial of Lincoln’s BlueCruise 1.2 semi-autonomous driver assist that can brake, accelerate, steer, and automatically change lanes under certain conditions. We can’t think of much else you might need in the way of advanced safety tech; therefore, stay with the Premiere trim.
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2025 Mazda CX-30
Starting Price: $26,690
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.2
The IIHS gives the sassy Mazda CX-30 a TSP+ rating. Its engine, the most powerful base engine in its segment, makes it a blast to drive. We also appreciate its high-end cabin furnishings and standard all-wheel drive. Among our preferred safety features are 10 airbags, hill start assist, LED headlights, and high-beam assist. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, a driver monitoring system, and adaptive cruise control are standard.
Mazda doesn’t offer many factory-installed options; therefore, you must move up the trim-level food chain to gain more safety tech. The 2.5 S Select Sport adds rain-sensing wipers; however, it’s not until the 2.5 S Premium that you find a head-up display, adaptive headlights, and traffic sign recognition. The safety value pick is unquestionably the entry-level 2.5 S.
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2025 Mazda CX-50
Starting Price: $31,995
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.5
As we’ve come to expect from Mazda, the all-wheel-drive CX-50 delivers a robust driving experience, plenty of cabin space, and solid safety, as illustrated by its TSP+ IIHS rating. If you would like your CX-50 with better mileage, there is also a hybrid version. Hill start assist, LED headlights, high-beam assist, and eight airbags are standard. The advanced safety tech includes adaptive cruise control, driver monitoring system, lane-keeping assist with steering assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Climbing through the trim levels is necessary to gain more features and technology. In the case of the CX-50, you have to move up to the top Premium Plus trim with the optional turbo engine to score features like auto-dimming mirrors (rearview and outboard), traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera, and front/rear parking assist. We’d stay with the entry-level Preferred grade.
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2025 Mazda CX-70/CX-70 PHEV
Starting Price: $41,975
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.3
While the Mazda CX-70 has its own nameplate, it’s basically the CX-90 without the third-row seat. It seems like an odd marketing decision, but who are we to say? What we can say is that it snagged a spot on the IIHS TSP+ list. Every Mazda SUV comes standard with all-wheel drive. From our list of suggested safety features, the CX-70 provides hill start assist, auto-leveling LED headlights, high-beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, and eight airbags.
Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver monitoring system, safe exit assist, and front/rear parking sensors are all standard. Mazda doesn’t offer any factory-installed options for the CX-70. To gain more goodies, you must advance through the trim levels. Moving up to the Premium trim gets you steering assist added on to the lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring assist. Traffic sign recognition and front cross-traffic alert are onboard. Cruising & Traffic Support is Mazda-speak for a semi-autonomous driver aid that can steer, accelerate, and brake the vehicle under certain conditions. The Premium Plus trim brings even more. We recommend sticking with the entry-level Preferred grade in the CX-70 or the Premium trim in the PHEV version.
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2025 Mazda CX-90/CX-90 PHEV
Starting Price: $39,575
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.3
The inspiration for the CX-70, the Mazda CX-90 is a premium 3-row midsize SUV with an upmarket interior, all-wheel drive, and superb driving dynamics. Mazda also offers it as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The IIHS tagged each version as a TSP+ for 2025. LED headlights, high-beam assist, hill start assist, rain-sensing wipers, and eight airbags are standard across the lineup. The standard advanced technologies consist of adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver monitoring system.
You can extend the advanced tech list by moving up to the Premium Sport trim, which includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror, steering assist for blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping systems, and traffic sign recognition. Front/rear parking assist and full stop-and-go for adaptive cruise control are also equipped. However, the Premium Sport adds over $8,000 to the price. Therefore, we’d stick with the Select trim in the gas version and the Premium Sport in the PHEV.
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2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC
Starting Price: $50,400
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.7
Receiving a redesign for 2024, the Mercedes-Benz GLC is chock-full of the latest connectivity and advanced safety tech. Although NHTSA hasn’t rated it, the IIHS awarded it a spot on its TSP+ list. Even in its entry-level 300 trim, this compact SUV provides a lot of safety features. LED headlights, high-beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, hill start assist, and eight airbags are standard. Among our sought-after advanced safety tech are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front/rear park assist, driver monitoring system, and safe exit alert.
The Driver Assistance Package costs $1,950 and includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, junction-turning assist, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, evasive steering assist, and more. We think that’s a bargain and recommend it.
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2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Starting Price: $63,000
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.4
The midsize GLE SUV is one of those Mercedes platforms that are springboards for multiple variants. If you include AMG and the plug-in hybrid versions, you’ve got six before factoring in a second Coupe body configuration. We mention this because the IIHS’s TSP+ designation only extends to the gas-only SUV body styles, including the AMG versions, with optional front crash prevention. NHTSA has yet to rate the GLE. Having said all that, we like the GLE for its ultra-luxury cabin and well-balanced driving dynamics. The good news: A new rear-wheel-drive entry-level 350 provides a lower base price. LED headlights, high-beam assist, auto-dimming outboard mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and hill start assist are standard.
Among our listed advanced safety tech, the GLE has blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, front/rear park assist, safe exit assist, driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera. Also, a system that can automatically parallel or perpendicular park the GLE is standard. We highly recommend the Driver Assistance Package with lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, junction-turning assist, lane change assist, and more. At $1,950, it’s a deal at this price point.
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2025 Nissan Armada
Starting Price: $59,710
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.2
The full-size Nissan Armada was completely redesigned for 2025, introducing a new 425-hp turbo V6 as its thrust maker. With a starting price below many of its full-size rivals, the Armada remains a deal. Loaded with tech, capable of towing up to 8,500 pounds, and providing plenty of cabin space, the Armada is as practical as it is safe. Among our recommended safety features are hill-start assist, auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, power outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, and eight airbags.
Contributing to the standard advanced safety/driver-assist tech are automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, and more. ProPilot Assist is also standard. This system includes adaptive cruise control and steering assist. Although you can pick up a few features like more advanced ProPilot systems by moving into higher trim levels, we think the base trim is the best safety value.
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2025 Nissan Murano
Starting Price: $41,965
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.1
Totally redesigned for 2025, the Nissan Murano remains committed to delivering a soothing and comfy passenger experience. Following the trend established by other compact and midsize SUVs, the reimagined Murano motivates its wheels with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It makes 241 hp. Auto on/off LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, 10 airbags, and hill-start assist are all standard.
Making the Murano’s advanced safety/driver-assist technology bundle are front/rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert with rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. You can gain more safety tech, such as an auto-dimming rearview mirror and integrated turn signals in the outboard mirrors, by stepping up to the SL grade; however, we’d save the $6,000 and stick with the base trim.
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2025 Nissan Pathfinder
Starting Price: $37,895
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.1
Once upon a time, the Nissan Pathfinder was a true rock crawler capable of taking on some of the gnarliest terrain. Today’s iteration is a family-friendly 3-row SUV with outstanding safety cred, plenty of current tech, and an IIHS TSP+ award. Although today’s Pathfinder retains some of its grasp on better-than-average off-roading capability, its focus is on safety and a pleasant ride experience. And by the way, we’ve found that it provides some of the easiest third-row access among 3-row SUVs. Every Pathfinder comes with hill start assist, auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, rear park assist, and 10 airbags. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning are all standard.
Although the S base model is well-equipped, we recommend moving up to at least the SV trim to gain adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, lane-keeping assist with steering assist, and heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals. The ProPilot driver-assistance system, which can accelerate, brake, and steer the Pathfinder under certain conditions, is also included with the SV trim. Moving up to the SL grade adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror, navigation-based ProPilot, and a surround-view camera. We’d remain with the SV trim level, as much as we like a surround-view camera in a vehicle this size.
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2025 Rivian R1S
Starting Price: $77,700
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.4
Fully electric, the Rivian R1S is a 3-row SUV. Rivian offers the entry-level R1S with the standard battery and an estimated maximum range of up to 270 miles. Additionally, multiple battery and motor configurations deliver ranges of up to 410 miles. Even with its dual-motor, standard-battery configuration, the R1S delivers 533 horsepower and can sprint to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. NHTSA has yet to rate the R1S for safety. However, IIHS named it a TSP+.
Among our highly sought-after safety features are auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, heated/auto-dimming outboard mirrors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree parking system, and adaptive cruise control. Rivian’s Highway Assist system can accelerate, brake, and steer the R1S under certain conditions.
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2025 Subaru Ascent
Starting Price: $41,415
IIHS Rating: TSP
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.2
There are a lot more good things about the well-stocked, 3-row all-wheel-drive Subaru Ascent than just its safety resume, but we’ll stick to the safety theme in this TSP model. Typically, we advise leapfrogging the Base version of most Subaru models in favor of the Premium trim because there is so little difference in price. It’s still solid advice for the Ascent; however, it’s not as persuasive when the topic is safety. That all changed for 2025 because Subaru discontinued the Base model, rendering the Premium the entry-level Ascent. It comes with auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, and seven airbags. Leading off the advanced safety technologies are lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist.
Premium also includes heated outboard mirrors, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. There is just so much value in the Premium grade (8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and so forth).
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2025 Subaru Forester
Starting Price: $31,415
IIHS Rating: TSP
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.4
Redesigned for 2025, the Subaru Forester is a compact SUV with a rowdy demeanor and impressive safety cred. It is, of course, all-wheel drive. Every Forester arrives with auto on/off adaptive LED headlights and seven airbags. Also standard is EyeSight Driver Assist with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane departure prevention.
Moving up to the Premium grade adds loads of goodies, including safety tech like heated outboard mirrors, hill descent control, and LED fog lights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert will run you an additional $1,200. For all the features the Premium trim adds, the extra cost is a pretty good deal; however, as far as added safety is concerned, we’d stick with the base trim.
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2025 Subaru Solterra
Starting Price: $39,915
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.3
The Solterra is Subaru’s first swing at an all-electric vehicle, and the first of four SUV EVs forecasted by management by the close of 2026. It shares DNA with the Toyota bZ4X. The Solterra is all-wheel drive with a government-estimated maximum range of 227 miles. This SUV impressed the IIHS, earning it TSP+ status. It provides several of our suggested safety features as standard, beginning with hill-start assist. Others include auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, heated outboard mirrors, and windshield wiper de-icer.
Safety technologies from our list are junction-turning assist, lane departure warning, lane-tracing alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, safe exit assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The more advanced EyeSight safety system adds self-driving with driver supervision under 25 mph. Stepping up to the Limited trim will set you back another $3,500 but adds several convenience upgrades, as well as a surround-view camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, LED fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, and scads of extra non-safety features. Despite all the added content, we call the Premium the best safety value.
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2025 Tesla Model Y
Starting Price: $46,380
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.1
There’s more to the Tesla Model Y Long Range than vegan seats, 337 miles of range, and a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.4 seconds (3.5 seconds in the Performance version). For one thing, it was the best-selling car in the world in 2024. The IIHS also named the 2025 rear-wheel-drive Model Y to its TSP+ list. (The IIHS hasn’t posted scores for the all-wheel drive Model Y.) Furthermore, it provides many of our sought-after safety features, such as eight airbags, auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, and fog lights. Also included are heated, auto-dimming outboard mirrors. Its advanced safety and driver-aid technologies are blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Pop for another $8,000, and you can score what Tesla calls Full Self-Driving (Supervised). It can accelerate, brake, steer, and change lanes under certain conditions. It also includes full self-parking and Autopilot navigation. Its Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control system automatically obeys stop signs and traffic lights. The Summon function allows you to call your vehicle to come to your location or some other location remotely. All this sounds like a lot of fun, but we advise you to skip it. We recommend the Long Range. Our listed price includes the nonrefundable $250 order fee.
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2025 Toyota bZ4X
Starting Price: $38,520
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.3
Closely related to the Subaru Solterra, the Toyota bZ4X is an all-electric compact SUV. (By the way, for 2026, Toyota will call this SUV simply bZ.) This is what Toyota dipping its toe into the EV market looks like. Although its estimated 252 miles of range is better than the Solterra’s, it’s less than most competitors. Among our recommended safety features, it comes with auto on/off LED headlights, high-beam assist, heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and eight airbags.
Its advanced safety and driver-assist tech includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front/rear parking assist with automatic braking. You must spend nearly $5,000 more for the Limited grade to gain lane-change assist, front cross-traffic alert, the advanced parking system, and a surround-view camera. We’d stick with the base XLE.
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2025 Volvo XC90/XC90 PHEV
Starting Price: $58,695
IIHS Rating: TSP+
Kelley Blue Book Rating: N/A
Volvo is somewhat confounding but formulaic in its approach to naming models and trims. The XC90 is a 3-row midsize SUV with a mild-hybrid powertrain. It provides a solid array of our safety features and safety tech. Among our preferred standard safety features are adaptive LED auto on/off adaptive headlights, LED taillights and fog lights, and high-beam assist. Other items are heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, auto-dimming mirrors (outboard and interior rearview), and rain-sensing wipers. The XC90 also provides seven airbags and front/rear park assist. In fact, the entry-level Core grade offers it all as standard.
Advanced safety features, including blind-spot monitoring with steering assist and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic emergency braking, lead off the safety tech. Lane-keeping assist with steering, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and a driver monitoring system join the equipment set. The semi-autonomous Pilot Assist, which can accelerate, brake, and steer the vehicle under certain conditions and driver supervision, is also standard.
You can move up the trim-level pecking order to pick up a surround-view monitor and head-up display, but we’d stick with the Core. The IIHS has named the XC90 and XC90 PHEV to its 2025 TSP+ list.
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The Safest Minivans
This year, the IIHS didn’t name any minivans to its TSP+ or TSP awards lists, and the criteria are tougher than ever. Minivans are safe; it’s merely that the testing got tougher. Two 2025 model-year minivans earned TSP awards with the 2024 testing criteria. They also both earned 5-Star ratings from NHTSA. Based on IIHS and NHTSA test results, these are the two safest minivans on the market.
2025 Honda Odyssey
Starting Price: $43,715
IIHS Rating: TSP (2024)
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.6
You can add safety to the Honda Odyssey’s accolades for its comfort, reliability, and resale values. The well-equipped entry-level EX-L provides hill start assist, eight airbags, heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, auto on/off LED headlights, and high-beam assist. Its safety and driver-aid technologies are lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic sign recognition. Because Honda doesn’t offer factory-installed options for the Odyssey, you must move up through the trim levels to gain more features.
We believe the Odyssey is a safe, reliable family hauler with everything you really need in the base EX-L.
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2025 Toyota Sienna
Starting Price: $40,980
IIHS Rating: TSP (2024)
Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.7
Toyota only offers the Sienna with a hybrid (HEV) powertrain, which explains its impressive 36 mpg combined fuel economy. All-wheel drive is available. We like the Sienna so much that we named it our Minivan Best Buy for 2025. Among our recommended safety features on the base LE are auto on/off LED headlights and taillights. Also included are heated outboard mirrors, hill start assist, 10 airbags, and high-beam assist. Advanced safety and driver-aid technologies comprise lane departure warning with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic sign recognition.
Stepping up to the XLE grade gains LED fog lights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and front/rear park assist. With the XLE being more than a $4,000 bump in price, we advise staying with the LE.
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IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award Winners
Every year, the IIHS awards the safest vehicles based on their performance in the institute’s tests. There are two tiers of awards: Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) and Top Safety Pick (TSP). Here are the lists of the SUVs and minivans that earned TSP+ and TSP accolades and NHTSA 5-Star ratings so far. These accolades also apply to the hybrid versions. We will update these lists as the IIHS continues to test vehicles throughout the year.
| MAKE AND MODEL | IIHS | NHTSA |
| 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Audi Q7 | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 BMW X5 | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Buick Enclave | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Genesis GV60 | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Electrified Genesis GV70 | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Genesis GV70 | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Genesis GV80 | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Honda HR-V | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Infiniti QX80 | TSP+ | N/A |
| 2025 Kia EV9 | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Kia Telluride | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Lincoln Nautilus | TSP+ | N/A |
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Mazda CX-50 | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Mazda CX-70/CX-70 PHEV | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Mazda CX-90/CX-90/PHEV | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC | TSP+ | N/A |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE (with optional front crash prevention) | TSP+ | N/A |
| 2025 Nissan Armada | TSP+ | N/A |
| 2025 Nissan Murano | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Nissan Pathfinder | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Rivian R1S | TSP+ | N/A |
| 2025 Subaru Solterra | TSP | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Tesla Model Y | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Toyota bZ4X | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Volvo XC90/XC90 PHEV | TSP+ | 5 Stars |
IIHS Top Safety Pick Award Winners
| MAKE AND MODEL | IIHS | NHTSA |
| 2025 Acura MDX | TSP | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Chevrolet Traverse | TSP | 5 Stars |
| 2025 GMC Acadia | TSP | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Honda Pilot | TSP | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Infiniti QX60 | TSP | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Lexus NX | TSP | N/A |
| 2025 Subaru Ascent | TSP | 5 Stars |
| 2025 Subaru Forester | TSP | 5 Stars |
