If you are shopping for a new SUV, this list is for you. We pulled together safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to find the 10 safest SUVs you can buy right now. And here is the insurance angle most people miss: the safer your vehicle, the better your rates tend to be for medical coverages like personal injury protection and med pay. A vehicle that helps you avoid an accident (or protects you better when one happens) is a vehicle that costs less to insure over time.
A quick note on how we built this list. The IIHS tightened its testing criteria for 2025, and the bar is higher than it has ever been. The updated moderate overlap front crash test now includes a rear seat dummy to evaluate how well the vehicle protects back seat passengers, not just the driver and front passenger. Only 48 models earned a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ for 2025, down from 71 the year before. The vehicles that dropped off the list did not get less safe. The standards simply got tougher. Every SUV on our list earned at least a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, and most earned the higher Top Safety Pick+ designation.
We are counting down from number 10 to number 1. Let's get into it.
10. 2025 Kia Telluride
The Telluride is back on our list for 2025, and it earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for the third year in a row. That is impressive given how much stricter the testing criteria became this year.
Safety features worth knowing about:
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist: Detects vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists ahead and applies the brakes if a collision is imminent.
- Highway Driving Assist 2: Maintains your set speed and following distance while keeping the vehicle centered in its lane. It can also assist with lane changes on the highway.
- Safe Exit Assist: Warns passengers about approaching vehicles before they open their doors. If you have kids who like to fling open doors in parking lots without looking, this one is a game changer.
- Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist: Goes beyond a simple alert. If you start to change lanes while a vehicle is in your blind spot, this system applies corrective braking to help you avoid a collision.
9. 2025 Ford Explorer
The Explorer made a strong showing in 2025 testing, earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
Safety features worth knowing about:
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0: A suite that includes adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centering, and evasive steer assist.
- Intersection Assist: Helps detect oncoming traffic when you are making a left turn at an intersection and applies the brakes if needed. Think about how many accidents happen at intersections, and this feature starts to make a lot of sense.
- Post-Collision Braking: After an initial collision, this system automatically applies the brakes to reduce the severity of a secondary impact. Most people do not think about what happens in the seconds after a first impact, and this feature handles it for you.
- Reverse Brake Assist: Detects objects behind the vehicle and automatically applies the brakes when reversing.
8. 2025 Honda Passport
The redesigned Passport earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2025, with top "Good" scores across its crash tests. It also comes standard with Honda's full suite of driver assist technology, which means you are not paying extra for the safety features that matter most.
Safety features worth knowing about:
- Honda Sensing Suite: Includes collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist, all standard on every trim.
- Traffic Jam Assist: Helps manage stop and go traffic on the highway by controlling acceleration, braking, and steering at low speeds. For anyone commuting on I-25 through Denver or I-5 in the Pacific Northwest, this is a daily quality of life improvement.
- Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor: Alerts you to vehicles in your blind spot and warns of cross traffic when backing up.
- TrailWatch Camera System: Four cameras provide a live view of the area around the front wheels, helping you navigate tight spots and rough terrain.
7. 2025 Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five star overall rating from the NHTSA. For 2025, Hyundai made its Smart Cruise Control 2 standard across the lineup, which means every Tucson on the lot comes loaded with advanced safety technology.
Safety features worth knowing about:
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning: Detects vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, and the junction turning feature automatically applies the brakes if the system identifies a collision risk with an oncoming vehicle when you are turning left at an intersection.
- Highway Driving Assist 2: Combines adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and lane change assist into one system.
- Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Monitors blind spots and rear cross traffic, and applies corrective braking if needed.
- Safe Exit Warning: Detects approaching vehicles and alerts passengers before they open their doors into traffic.
6. 2025 Mazda CX-50
The CX-50 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five star overall NHTSA rating. Mazda led all brands in 2025 with eight Top Safety Pick+ awards, more than any other manufacturer. The CX-50 is the most fun to drive SUV on this list, and it does not sacrifice safety to get there.
Safety features worth knowing about:
- Smart Brake Support Front with Pedestrian Detection: Detects vehicles and pedestrians at higher speeds and applies the brakes to help avoid or reduce the severity of a collision.
- Cruising and Traffic Support: Combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering and stop and go capability.
- Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Monitors your blind spots and alerts you to vehicles approaching from the side when you are backing up.
- Driver Attention Alert: Monitors your driving patterns and alerts you if it detects signs of drowsiness or inattention. Long drives on I-70 through the mountains or across the plains of Kansas can wear on your focus, and this feature helps keep you honest.
5. 2025 Mazda CX-90
The CX-90 is Mazda's three row flagship, and it earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ along with a five star overall NHTSA rating. If you need a family hauler with room for everyone and safety that ranks at the top of the class, this is the one to look at.
Safety features worth knowing about:
- Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go: Maintains your set speed and following distance, and comes to a complete stop in traffic when needed.
- Smart Brake Support Front with Pedestrian Detection: Applies brakes automatically when it detects a potential collision with a vehicle or pedestrian.
- Cruising and Traffic Support with Lane Centering: Keeps the vehicle centered in its lane and manages speed in traffic.
- Emergency Lane Keeping with Road Keep Assist: If the system detects you drifting out of your lane or toward the road edge, it provides steering input to guide you back. This works at highway speeds and can make a real difference on those winding mountain roads in Colorado or Oregon.
4. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2025 models built after November 2024. Hyundai made rear seatbelt improvements that helped the Santa Fe earn a "Good" rating in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, which specifically evaluates how well the vehicle protects rear seat passengers. If you regularly have kids or passengers in the back seat, that detail matters.
Safety features worth knowing about:
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning and Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Vehicle Detection: One of the most comprehensive forward collision systems available. It even detects collision risk when you are making a left turn at an intersection.
- Highway Driving Assist 2 with Lane Change Assist: Standard on all trims, combining adaptive cruise, lane centering, and semi-automated lane changes.
- Blind Spot View Monitor: Displays a live camera view of your blind spot on the instrument cluster when you activate your turn signal. Instead of just a warning light, you see exactly what is next to you.
- Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist: Detects approaching vehicles when you are backing out of a parking space and applies the brakes automatically if needed.
3. 2025 Kia EV9
The EV9 is the only fully electric SUV on our list, and it earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with an upgraded rating compared to last year. If you have been curious about electric vehicles but wanted to make sure safety was not a compromise, the EV9 answers that question clearly.
Safety features worth knowing about:
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist 2 with Junction Crossing: Detects vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists in multiple scenarios, including when crossing through intersections.
- Highway Driving Assist 2: Provides adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and lane change assistance.
- Remote Smart Parking Assist 2: Allows the vehicle to autonomously park or exit a parking space while you stand outside with the key fob. For tight parking spots in downtown Denver or Portland, this feature is genuinely useful.
- Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Monitors blind spots and rear traffic, and applies corrective braking when necessary.
2. 2025 Hyundai Tucson (Tie Breaker: Also Representing Mazda CX-30 for Small SUV Shoppers)
We gave the number two spot to the Mazda CX-30 for anyone shopping in the smaller SUV category. The CX-30 was named the safest small SUV of 2025 by U.S. News, earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five star NHTSA rating. If you do not need three rows or a large cargo area, the CX-30 delivers outstanding safety in a smaller, more affordable package.
Safety features worth knowing about:
- Smart Brake Support Front and Rear: Detects obstacles in front of and behind the vehicle and applies the brakes automatically.
- Driver Attention Alert: Monitors driving patterns and warns the driver of fatigue or inattention.
- Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Standard on most trims, providing full awareness of vehicles around you.
- Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist and Emergency Lane Keeping: A layered approach to keeping you in your lane, starting with a warning and escalating to steering input if needed.
1. 2025 Volvo XC90
For the second year in a row, the Volvo XC90 takes our number one spot. The 2025 XC90 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five star overall NHTSA rating, with five stars in both frontal and side crash tests. Volvo refreshed the XC90 for 2025 with a larger touchscreen, updated styling, and improvements to its rear seatbelt system for better rear occupant protection. But the reason it stays at the top of our list is the sheer depth of safety technology that comes standard on every single trim level.
Safety features worth knowing about:
- Pilot Assist: A semi-autonomous driving system that handles acceleration, braking, and steering at highway speeds under driver supervision. This is standard, not an add-on.
- City Safety with Autobrake: Detects vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals, and applies the brakes automatically to help avoid or reduce the severity of a collision. The large animal detection is a standout for anyone driving in rural areas of Colorado, Idaho, Utah, or Oregon where wildlife crossings are a real concern.
- Run-off Road Protection: If the vehicle detects that it is leaving the road, it tightens the front seatbelts and activates energy-absorbing technology between the seat cushion and frame to protect against spinal injuries. This is a feature unique to Volvo and one that most people do not know exists.
- Oncoming Lane Mitigation: If the system detects that the vehicle is drifting into oncoming traffic, it provides steering assistance to guide the vehicle back into its own lane. This addresses one of the most dangerous crash scenarios on two lane roads.
- 360-Degree Camera with Cross Traffic Alert and Autobrake: Provides a bird's eye view of the vehicle and automatically brakes when it detects cross traffic while reversing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does driving a safer SUV actually lower my insurance rates? A: It can. Vehicles with strong crash test ratings and advanced safety features often qualify for lower premiums on medical coverages like personal injury protection and med pay. Fewer and less severe claims mean lower risk, and many carriers factor that into their pricing. Your specific rates will depend on your full coverage profile, but choosing a safer vehicle is one of the smartest ways to set yourself up for better rates over time.
Q: What is the difference between IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+? A: Both are strong safety designations. The difference for 2025 comes down to the updated moderate overlap front crash test. A vehicle needs a "Good" rating in that test to earn the Top Safety Pick+, while an "Acceptable" rating qualifies for the standard Top Safety Pick. The "plus" vehicles performed at the highest level across every test category.
Q: Why did fewer vehicles earn safety awards in 2025 than in 2024? A: The IIHS raised its testing standards for 2025, including a new emphasis on rear seat passenger protection. Only 48 vehicles earned awards in 2025, compared to 71 in 2024. The vehicles that fell off the list did not become less safe. The bar simply moved higher.
Q: Are electric SUVs as safe as gas-powered SUVs? A: Based on the 2025 data, yes. The Kia EV9 earned a Top Safety Pick+ and multiple electric SUVs performed well in both IIHS and NHTSA testing. The battery packs in electric vehicles actually contribute to a lower center of gravity, which can reduce rollover risk.
Q: I live in Colorado (or Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, or Kansas). Does my state affect which SUV I should choose? A: Your state does not change the crash test results, but it can influence which features matter most to you. In Colorado, features like all wheel drive, wildlife detection (like the Volvo's large animal detection), and stability systems for mountain driving are especially relevant. In states like Oregon and Washington, rain-specific features like adaptive headlights and robust traction control are worth prioritizing. An independent insurance agent can help you understand how your vehicle choice, location, and driving patterns all factor into your coverage and rates.
Q: Should I wait for a model to be fully tested before buying? A: If safety is a top priority, it is a good idea to check the IIHS and NHTSA websites for your specific model and build date before finalizing a purchase. Some models receive their safety designations partway through the model year, and some ratings only apply to vehicles built after a certain date. A quick check can save you from surprises down the road.
Q: What if my current vehicle is not on this list? A: That does not mean your vehicle is unsafe. This list highlights the top performers for 2025, but there are many safe SUVs on the market that did not make our top 10. What matters most is that your vehicle has current safety features and that your insurance coverage matches your actual risk. If you are not sure where you stand, a coverage review is a good place to start.
What to Do Next
Review the IIHS and NHTSA ratings for any SUV you are considering before you buy. Check the specific model year and build date to make sure the safety ratings apply to your vehicle.
Ask your insurance agent how your vehicle choice affects your coverage and rates. A safer vehicle can work in your favor.
Check your current coverage to make sure you are not underinsured for medical expenses, especially if you are driving an older vehicle without the latest safety technology.
Schedule a complimentary insurance review with Trailstone to get a clear picture of where your coverage stands today and where there might be gaps.
Your Next Step
If you are shopping for a new SUV or simply want to make sure your current coverage keeps up with your life, reach out to Trailstone via our website at www.trailstoneinsurance.com or give us a call. We will do the shopping for you. We work with more than 40 top tier insurance companies and make it easy to find the best price and coverage available.
Trailstone will provide a complimentary review of your insurance.
Written by Mark Rodgers, President and Founder, Trailstone Insurance Group
