Best Family SUVs for Safety in 2025

  1. Research Center
    2. /
  2. Car Safety Research Articles
    3. /
  3. Best Family SUVs for Safety in 2025
Families shop safety first for a reason. Daily life is kids, backpacks, tight parking lots, and the occasional highway panic stop. SUVs are popular because they feel planted, sit you higher for better sightlines, and swallow strollers without Tetris. The extra ground clearance and available all-wheel drive also help when the weather turns or the road gets rough. 

Are SUVs typically safer than cars? Often, but not automatically. Many modern SUVs earn top crash scores, and their ride height and mass can offer advantages in multi-vehicle crashes. At the same time, physics cuts both ways. Smaller top-rated sedans can be very safe, and older SUVs used to face higher rollover risk. Today's electronic stability control, stronger roofs, and advanced driver assists have narrowed that gap. The smart move is to focus on models with proven IIHS and NHTSA results, standard safety tech, and real-world family usability like LATCH access and wide rear doors. 
Safest SUVs for Families in 2025
Here are today's best SUVs for family safety. Each one earns strong signals from IIHS and NHTSA, brings key driver assists as standard, and makes real life easier with wide rear doors, clear cameras, and child-seat friendly cabins. We focused on what matters day to day, not just lab scores, so you can buckle in faster, see more, and stress less. Let's get you to the short list. 


Kia Telluride - Big Family Confidence

Telluride gives large families a composed ride, clear outward visibility, and a spacious second row that makes buckling kids simpler. The third row fits children comfortably for school runs and weekend teams, and access is straightforward. Camera views are crisp, and the available surround-view system reduces stress in crowded lots. Controls are intuitive, so anyone in the household can hop in and go. 

Quick Highlights 
  • MSRP: starting around $37,000 
  • MPG (combined): low 20s 
  • Safety features: AEB with pedestrian detection, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise, lane keeping standard on most trims; surround-view camera available 
  • Family notes: wide rear doors, easy third-row access, calm highway manners

Hyundai Palisade - Tech-Forward Three Row

Palisade leans into a plush ride and an upscale, quiet cabin that helps everyone arrive calmer. The second row is adult-friendly and the third row suits kids without a squeeze. Infotainment is quick and clear, and there are enough USB ports to keep devices powered. Driver assists are well tuned to help rather than nag. 

Quick Highlights 
  • MSRP: starting around $37,500 
  • MPG (combined): low 20s 
  • Safety features: AEB, blind-spot, rear cross-traffic, adaptive cruise, lane keeping widely standard; 360 camera and highway driving assist available 
  • Family notes: thoughtful storage, easy path to the third row, quiet cabin 

Toyota Highlander - The Family Safety Staple

Highlander blends predictable handling with simple controls and clear camera views. The third row is best for kids, but it folds flat to open serious cargo space for strollers and bulk shopping. Toyota Safety Sense takes the edge off heavy traffic, and ownership is low drama. Reliability and resale strength are part of the appeal for long-term planners.

Quick Highlights 
  • MSRP: starting around $39,000 
  • MPG (combined): mid 20s for gas; higher on hybrid trims 
  • Safety features: Toyota Safety Sense with AEB, blind-spot, adaptive cruise, lane keeping standard; 360 camera and adaptive headlights available 
  • Family notes: simple controls, predictable handling, strong ownership confidence

Honda Pilot - Three Row With Easy Road Manners

Pilot feels stable and predictable, with steering and brakes tuned for confidence in emergency maneuvers. The second row offers generous space and straightforward LATCH anchors. The third row suits kids for daily carpool duty, and cabin noise is well controlled. Families appreciate the clear camera views and logical menus. 

Quick Highlights 
  • MSRP: starting around $38,000 
  • MPG (combined): low to mid 20s 
  • Safety features: Honda Sensing with AEB, adaptive cruise, lane keeping standard; blind-spot and rear cross-traffic on most trims; multi-angle or 360 camera available 
  • Family notes: wide doors, friendly seat height, smooth highway tracking 

Honda CR-V - Compact Confidence for Daily Life

CR-V nails the everyday details families feel the most. Rear doors open wide for child seats, the cargo opening is generous, and the ride stays composed on rough streets. Visibility is strong and controls are logical, so daily errands are easy. For a two-row compact, it carries strollers and weekly groceries without drama.

Quick Highlights 
  • MSRP: starting around $30,500 
  • MPG (combined): around 30 
  • Safety features: AEB, blind-spot, adaptive cruise, lane keeping standard across the line; clear camera views 
  • Family notes: roomy second row, easy cargo loading, relaxed highway manners 

Subaru Forester - All-Weather Safety Play

Forester prioritizes visibility and control. Big windows and a low cowl make neighborhoods and school zones less stressful. Standard all-wheel drive and a stable chassis help in rain and light snow. EyeSight driver assists are included on most trims, and camera quality is clear.

Quick Highlights 
  • MSRP: starting around $28,000 
  • MPG (combined): high 20s 
  • Safety features: EyeSight with AEB, adaptive cruise, lane keeping standard; blind-spot on many trims; strong outward visibility 
  • Family notes: tall door openings, practical cargo space, excellent sightlines 

Toyota RAV4 - Fuel Saver With Proven Protection

RAV4 pairs efficient ownership with the safety tech families expect. The cabin has useful storage for kid gear, and the rear seat fits two child seats without fuss. Camera clarity and simple menus reduce distraction. Wide availability across trims makes shopping easier.

Quick Highlights 
  • MSRP: starting around $30,000 
  • MPG (combined): around 30 
  • Safety features: Toyota Safety Sense with AEB, blind-spot, adaptive cruise, lane keeping standard; 360 camera and adaptive headlights available 
  • Family notes: easy to park, predictable handling, strong dealer support 
Safety tech that matters for parents 
Modern family safety comes down to two things: proven crash protection and driver assists that are there when you need them. Look for a standard stack that includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise with lane keeping, clear cameras and good headlights, plus easy LATCH access and wide rear doors for quick installs. 
  • Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection 
  • Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert 
  • Adaptive cruise control and lane keeping 
  • Clear cameras and well-rated headlights 
  • Easy LATCH access and wide rear-door openings
Quick buyer checklist 
  • IIHS award level for your trim and headlight package 
  • NHTSA overall star rating for your configuration 
  • AEB, BSM, ACC, and lane keeping standard, not optional 
  • Rear doors open wide for child-seat installs 
  • Cargo fits stroller plus weekly groceries with the seats up 
  • Camera clarity and simple menus you can operate without digging through screens 
  • Test drive with child seats and a stroller to confirm fit

FAQs

What are the safest SUVs for families in 2025

Seven strong options include Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. Always verify IIHS and NHTSA results for your exact trim.
CR-V, Forester, and RAV4 are compact choices with strong safety signals and family-friendly cabins. 
No. They support the driver but do not replace attention or proper technique. Treat them as a safety net, not an excuse to multitask.
  • Toyota RAV4: ~239,451 units YTD 
  • Honda CR-V: ~212,561 units YTD 
  • Chevrolet Equinox: ~157,638 units YTD 
Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot all offer three rows; the CR-V, Forester, and RAV4 are two-row SUVs.
Final Thoughts 
Safety is why you are here. Pick the layout that fits your crew, two rows for daily life and three for teams and grandparents. Then confirm the basics: IIHS award level, NHTSA stars, and a safety stack that is standard, not package only. Bring the stroller and child seats to the test drive, check buckle access, and make sure the cameras are clear at night. 

Do that and you get what families need: calm road manners, fewer surprises, and a cabin that makes mornings easier. When you are ready, compare your shortlist back-to-back, pick the one that feels like home, and let it take you where you are going with maximum peace of mind. Ready to compare the safest options for your family. Browse local inventory and book a test drive today.