SUVs are popular for hauling large loads and their impressive safety capabilities. The best SUVs boast spacious crumple zones and top-notch crash test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, making them a top pick among car shoppers.
Before purchasing a safe SUV, there are a few things you should take into account.
Safety Ratings
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) assess safety in SUVs by testing them against both standards. Both organizations conduct crash tests at predetermined speeds with dummies secured in seat belts.
NHTSA‘s frontal collision test involves pushing a vehicle into a fixed barrier at 35 miles per hour. Additionally, they run both side-barrier and driver’s door side-pole tests to determine the car’s side crash rating.
Each test is scored using a dummy in a car seat, with injuries assessed along with any physical damage done to its body. Furthermore, the IIHS assesses the strength of roofs, headlights and other safety-related features to measure their effects on safety.
Since 2019, the Subaru Ascent has maintained a Top Safety Pick rating with IIHS and earned an overall five-star rating from NHTSA. Its EyeSight suite of driver assistance technologies comes standard on even the base $33,970 trim level, giving it even further edge.
Recalls
When looking for a new SUV, be aware of recalls. These are repairs issued by automakers or federal governments to address safety issues on certain models.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIIHS) evaluate vehicles to determine their performance in front crash tests, side collisions and rollovers. Each test is scored on a five-star scale.
CR recommends checking for recalls on the official vehicle recall website to see if your SUV is subject to an active repair campaign. If so, you’ll be notified of the issue and must take your car into a dealership for necessary repairs.
According to NHTSA, automakers issued no fewer than 300 recall campaigns in 2022. These actions affected millions of cars, trucks and SUVs nationwide.
Safety Features
Many SUVs boast advanced safety features to safeguard passengers in case of a crash. Some of these features come standard on all models, while others can be added as options.
The Volvo XC90 is equipped with an array of advanced safety technologies, such as automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.
Another vehicle on this list is the Toyota Highlander, which earned five stars from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS. Furthermore, it earned Good ratings across all six IIHS crash tests.
The Mazda CX-9 earned an Acceptable rating from IIHS due to a few safety features. While some headlights have low visibility ratings and child seat anchors can be difficult to reach, these issues don’t prevent the CX-9 from being one of the safest SUVs available on the market.
Safety Technologies
The safest SUVs are equipped with a variety of driver-assistance technologies that help prevent crashes. These include collision warning systems, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and more.
These features use cameras and sensors to detect potential obstacles and avoid collisions. They can also assist with lane changes and navigating highway traffic.
Even with the increasing availability of advanced safety systems on new vehicles, it’s still essential to check crash-test ratings for each model you are considering. You can do this by evaluating NHTSA and IIHS ratings for the vehicle in question.
The 2022 Hyundai GV80 boasts impressive safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA, earning it a Top Safety Pick+ designation and receiving an overall five-star rating from the agency.