Updated 2026-03-13 β Latest IIHS safety ratings for 2025β2026 model year vehicles.
π The #1 Safest Car You Can Buy
216+ vehicles earned IIHS TSP+. We applied stricter criteria β weight, brand safety grade, and subcategory scores β to find the single safest.
2025 Audi Q7
Our #1 PickThe only vehicle that passes all our filters with margin to spare: perfect crash test scores in every subcategory, 4,949 lbs curb weight, and Audi's A+ brand safety grade (5.8 deaths per million β third-lowest of any manufacturer).
| Rank | Vehicle | Brand Grade | Weight | Why Not #1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Audi Q7 | A+ | 4,949 lbs | π Winner |
| #2 | Volvo XC90 | A+ | 4,653 lbs | Acceptable on updated front test |
| #3 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | B | 4,916 lbs | Moderate head/neck risk in rear seat |
| #4 | Genesis GV80 | B | 4,815 lbs | Limited historical death rate data |
| #5 | Infiniti QX60 | B | 4,510 lbs | Lighter than Q7; Nissan brand grade |
About Informed for Life
We provide unbiased, data-driven safety information to help you choose the safest car, SUV, or truck. Our rankings combine official IIHS crash test ratings with demographic-adjusted driver death rates to identify vehicles that truly stand apart in occupant protection.
Not sure where to start?
Whether you have $5,000 or $50,000 to spend, there are proven ways to maximize your safety on the road.
Read Our Guide: How to Choose a Safer Car βTop 1% Safest Vehicles
These 9 vehicles earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+, scored 'Good' in every key crash test, and belong to vehicle classes with death rates well below the national average.
Ranked by Safety Score (0β100), which combines IIHS crash test ratings (70 pts) with the death rate of each vehicle's class (30 pts). Lower class death rate = higher score. These are class-level rates, not model-specific.
| Rank | Vehicle | Class | Safety Score | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Infiniti QX60 | Midsize luxury SUVs | 91.6 | 2026 |
| 2 | Lexus NX | Midsize luxury SUVs | 91.6 | 2026 |
| 3 | Lincoln Nautilus | Midsize luxury SUVs | 91.6 | 2026 |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz GLC | Midsize luxury SUVs | 91.6 | 2026 |
| 5 | Mercedes-Benz GLE Class | Midsize luxury SUVs | 91.6 | 2026 |
| 6 | Genesis GV80 | Midsize luxury SUVs | 90.5 | 2026 |
| 7 | Volvo XC90 | Midsize luxury SUVs | 90.5 | 2026 |
| 8 | Volvo XC90 Plug In Hybrid | Midsize luxury SUVs | 90.5 | 2026 |
| 9 | Audi Q7 | Large luxury SUVs | 87.2 | 2026 |
Top 5% Safest Vehicles
These 16 vehicles earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+, scored 'Good' or 'Acceptable' in key crash tests, and have class death rates no more than 20% above the national average.
| Rank | Vehicle | Class | Safety Score | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis Electrified GV70 | Midsize luxury SUVs | 88.8 | 2026 |
| 2 | Tesla Model Y | Midsize luxury SUVs | 88.4 | 2025 |
| 3 | Acura MDX | Midsize luxury SUVs | 88.1 | 2026 |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz C Class | Midsize luxury cars | 87.4 | 2026 |
| 5 | Infiniti QX80 | Large luxury SUVs | 87.2 | 2026 |
| 6 | Bmw X5 | Midsize luxury SUVs | 86.7 | 2026 |
| 7 | Rivian R1S | Large luxury SUVs | 86.5 | 2026 |
| 8 | Honda Passport | Midsize SUVs | 86.2 | 2026 |
| 9 | Hyundai Ioniq 9 | Midsize SUVs | 86.2 | 2026 |
| 10 | Kia EV9 | Midsize SUVs | 86.2 | 2026 |
| 11 | Kia Telluride | Midsize SUVs | 86.2 | 2025 |
| 12 | Mazda CX 70 | Midsize SUVs | 86.2 | 2026 |
| 13 | Mazda CX 90 | Midsize SUVs | 86.2 | 2026 |
| 14 | Mazda CX 90 PHEV | Midsize SUVs | 86.2 | 2026 |
| 15 | Nissan Armada | Large SUVs | 85.5 | 2026 |
| 16 | Volvo EX90 | Large luxury SUVs | 85.4 | 2026 |
Explore More Safety Resources
Safest Family SUV
20+ family SUVs ranked β by size, budget, and safety score
πSafest Used Cars
181 used vehicles ranked by real-world driver death rates
β οΈMost Dangerous Cars
The vehicles with the highest death rates β know what to avoid
π·οΈBrand Safety Rankings
Which automakers have the best overall safety track record?
πNew Car Safety Guide
2025β2026 TSP+ cars cross-referenced with brand death rates
πTire Safety Guide
How worn tires kill, where winter tires are essential, and heat zone maps
πΆDanger to Others
Which vehicles kill other drivers and pedestrians at the highest rates
πInsurance Losses
Real insurance claim data β collision, injury, and property damage by model
πVehicle Theft
Most & least stolen cars β Camaro ZL1 stolen 39Γ more than average
ποΈAWD Safety Science
Does all-wheel drive save lives? The surprising evidence says it's complicated
π§ͺUpdated Crash Tests
IIHS made tests 82% harder β many "Good" vehicles now fail. Why it matters.
β‘Tesla Safety Paradox
Top crash tests but above-average death rates β 4 explanations analyzed
π°Safest Budget Cars
Safe used cars under $10K, $5K, and $1K β ranked by death rates
πBest Car for College
Safe, reliable, affordable picks by lifestyle β city, rural, road trip, skiing
Our Methodology β Full Transparency
We believe you deserve to know exactly how we rank vehicles. Our formula combines IIHS crash test ratings with real-world driver death rates β no black boxes, no hidden weights.
π Top 1%
TSP+ award, "Good" in all key crash tests, and a class death rate less than half the national average.
β Top 5%
TSP+ award, "Good" or "Acceptable" in key tests, and a class death rate within 20% of the national average.