Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) release their lists of the safest vehicles on the market. For 2023 models, there have been some changes that you should be aware of.
First off, the insurance-industry sponsored IIHS has changed its safety ratings for 2023 and newer vehicles. Now, in order for a car, truck, or SUV to earn the coveted Top Safety Pick + designation, it must earn a "Good" rating in every crash test. This includes six specific tests that are conducted on over 100 different makes and models of vehicles each year. These tests include driver's side front, moderate-overlap front, side, roof-strength, passenger side front, small-overlap, and head-restraint crash tests. The IIHS chooses vehicles that are best sellers or that have been updated for the model year. With the advent of new safety and driver assist features, the IIHS also tests the performance of automated emergency braking as part of its overall score.
The NHTSA uses a "five star" scoring system for frontal-impact crashes, side, and rollover crashes. Its tests are carried out at a number of independent, unbiased facilities across the U.S. Before buying a new car, consumers should research where the vehicle they are interested in falls on the safety scores created by the IIHS and NHTSA. You want to look for a vehicle that has been rated Four or Five Stars and a Good or Top Safety Pick +. In order to get the highest rating, the changes made by IIHS for 2023 includes a Good rating in every crash test and headlights must earn a Good or Acceptable rating and a Superior or Advanced rating in daylight tests as well as a new nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian frontal-crash prevention test.
What are the Safest SUVs?
Crash avoidance safety technology that is also considered when earning top safety ratings now include forward collision warning, lane-departure warning and lane -keep assist, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
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This year, only seventeen crossovers and SUV models have earned top safety ratings. The following are our pick of the twelve tempting and safest SUVs for 2023 and 2024. They are presented in alphabetical order by the automaker.
 Top SUV Safety Picks
Redesigned in 2022, Acura's largest SUV offers three-rows of seating and your choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. It received the IIHS Top Safety + designation and the front-wheel drive variant got the NHTSA's Five Star overall rating. However, the AWD version did not get an overall rating or rollover resistance grade. Both versions earned Five Stars for side impact testing and Four Stars in front impact testing.
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Smaller than the MDX, Acura's RDX compact SUV features all-wheel drive as standard and earned Top Safety + scores by the IIHS in both crashworthiness and seat belt and child restraint testing. The NHTSA gave the RDX a Five Star rating in side impact tests and Four starts in front impact and rollover tests. AcuraWatch driver assist features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring.
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Known for both luxury and performance, the Q8 and its sibling the Q8 e-Tron EV has earned Top Safety Pick+ awards from IIHS with a host of Good ratings in every crash test as well as top marks in its extraordinary crash avoidance technology. The only Poor mark came from its LED headlights. The NHTSA gave Five Stars in all tests save for rollover resistance, which took Four Stars. The Q8 is also available with a 591-horsepower twin-turbo V8.
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Redesigned for the 2023 year, the amazingly roomy BMW compact crossover SUV made the list of IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winners. The four-wheel drive X1 took solid Good scores in all collision testing and its crash avoidance tech was rated Superior! It even received a Good score for its LED headlights. It took Four Stars in the frontal crash and rollover resistance categories, giving it an overall score of Four Stars with the NHTSA.
Receiving top scores year after year, the 2023 Honda CR-V took top honors from both the IIHS and the NHTSA. It gathered solid Good scores in every crash test, took a Superior rating in crash avoidance, and an Advanced rating in front crash prevention with pedestrians at night. It comes standard with such driver assist safety marvels as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.
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This luxury three-row SUV was introduced in 2022 and includes three years of free maintenance. It has earned Top Safety + status with the IIHS and a Five Star rating from NHTSA. However, the powertrain is not rated for rollover resistance and rear seat belt reminders only got an Acceptable rating. All trim levels include such safety and driver assistance features as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep alert, blind-spot and cross-traffic monitoring.
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Lexus' entry point subcompact crossover hatchback received an update for 2023, now available as a hybrid for better mileage. It has earned the IIHS' highest safety ratings in each test. It took Four Stars for frontal crash and rollover testing with the NHTSA but still took home a Five Star overall rating. Lexus Safety System + 2.5 suite of safety features includes adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot, and cross-traffic monitoring.
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Lincoln has redesigned the Nautilus for 2024, making it longer and wider, and it's now available as a hybrid. The mid-size SUV took IIHS' Top Safety Pick + though its LED headlights only managed an Acceptable grade. The NHTSA gave it Five Stars overall including top honors for front and side impact testing and Four Stars for rollover testing. Lincoln's Co-Pilot 360 safety features includes adaptive cruise control, a 360 -degree camera system, and more.
This comfortable cruiser is a popular family SUV that appeals to a broad audience. The three-row family mover is in its fifth generation and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winner. Only the AWD version took the NHTSA's Five Star overall rating. It took Four Stars in front impact tests and Five Stars in side impact testing. An impressive list of standard safety features includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring.
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One of the safest SUVs for 2023, the Ascent adventure wagon is a three-row SUV and Subaru's largest offering. It took top safety scores including IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and Five Stars overall with the NHTSA. It earned Five Stars in front and side impact testing and Four Stars in rollover resistance. Standard driver assist safety features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and Premium models add blind-spot and rear-cross traffic monitoring.
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Introduced in 2001, the Highlander has long been a favorite among SUV lovers. It is bigger and better for 2024 featuring three-rows and impressive ratings. An IIHS Top Safety Pick+, it pulled a less than perfect score in the front overlap test and received an acceptable rating for its LED headlights. All versions of the Highlander including hybrid, FWD and AWD variants got Five Stars from the NHTSA but managed Four Stars in rollover resistance.
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Long known for safety, Volvo's XC90 is a three-row SUV that has earned top rtings from both the IIHS and NHTSA. Winning Top Safety Pick + but only acceptable ratings for its child seat anchors, the XC90 took the NHTSA's top honors, Five Stars in all but the rollover resistance, where it garnered Four Stars. A broad spectrum of driver assist features come as standard. A Pilot-Assist semi-autonomous self-driving feature is optional.
