Under $50,000 · IIHS data updated 2026-09-16

Safest Cars and SUVs Under $50,000 in 2026

Fifty thousand dollars is where entry-luxury SUVs and the top mainstream three-row models meet. This page ranks every current model with a base MSRP under $50,000 by the same published score used across the site.

See the ranking

The safest vehicle under $50,000 in our current 2026 ranking is the 2027 Tesla Model Y, scoring 98.6/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. It leads 99 under $50,000 with complete IIHS records; 3 more are still missing at least one test and are listed separately below.

All current under $50,000 ranked by safety

Where two vehicles score the same, the injury measures behind that score break the tie; vehicles matching on both share a rank. The score is 55% primary IIHS tests, 25% selected occupant-protection details, 10% pedestrian front crash prevention, and 10% class context. Missing evidence never counts as passing. Where two vehicles score the same, the last column breaks the tie: it averages every injury measure IIHS published inside the three crash tests. Vehicles matching on both share a rank.

RankVehicleClassIIHS awardRear restraintsStarts atScoreInjury measures
#1 2027 Tesla Model Y Midsize luxury SUVs TSP+ Good ~$39,990 98.6 100.0
#2 2026 Genesis GV70 Midsize luxury SUVs TSP+ Good ~$47,985 97.2 98.75
#3 2027 Kia TellurideAward applies only to vehicles built after June 2026 Midsize SUVs TSP+ Good ~$39,190 96.8 100.0
#3 2026 Hyundai PalisadeAward applies only to vehicles built after November 2025 Midsize SUVs TSP+ Good ~$38,935 96.8 100.0
#5 2026 Honda Passport Midsize SUVs TSP+ Good ~$44,750 96.8 99.38
#6 2026 Ford Mustang Mach E Midsize SUVs TSP Good ~$37,795 95.6 98.75
#7 2026 Mazda CX 70 Midsize SUVs TSP+ Good ~$42,250 95.4 100.0
#7 2026 Mazda CX 70 PHEV Midsize SUVs TSP+ Good ~$44,250 95.4 100.0
#7 2026 Mazda CX 90 Midsize SUVs TSP+ Good ~$39,300 95.4 100.0
#10 2026 Kia SorentoAward applies only to vehicles built after September 2025 Midsize SUVs TSP+ Good ~$32,390 95.4 99.38
#10 2026 Nissan Murano Midsize SUVs TSP+ Good ~$41,670 95.4 99.38
#12 2026 Lexus NX Midsize luxury SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$44,175 94.8 96.88
#13 2026 Subaru Forester Small SUVs TSP+ Good ~$29,995 94.3 98.75
#13 2026 Subaru Outback Midsize SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$34,995 94.3 98.75
#15 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Midsize SUVs TSP Good ~$38,300 94.3 98.12
#16 2026 Ford Explorer Midsize SUVs TSP Acceptable ~$38,465 94.3 97.5
#17 2026 Mazda CX 5 Small SUVs TSP+ Good ~$29,990 94.2 99.38
#18 2026 Hyundai Elantra Small cars TSP Good ~$22,625 94.1 96.25
#19 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC Midsize luxury SUVs TSP Acceptable ~$49,550 93.6 98.75
#20 2026 Mercedes-Benz C Class Midsize luxury cars TSP Good ~$49,650 93.3 97.5
#21 2026 Mazda CX 30 Small SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$25,975 93.1 98.75
#22 2027 BMW X1 Small SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$43,200 93.1 97.5
#22 2026 Subaru Ascent Midsize SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$40,795 93.1 97.5
#24 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Small SUVs TSP+ Good ~$35,000 93.0 97.5
#25 2026 Toyota Tundra (Crew cab) Large pickups TSP Good ~$41,260 92.6 96.88
#26 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Midsize SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$34,800 92.3 95.62
#27 2026 Nissan Sentra Small cars TSP+ Acceptable ~$22,600 92.2 98.75
#28 2026 Kia K4 (Sedan) Small cars TSP+ Good ~$22,290 92.1 96.88
#29 2026 Hyundai Sonata Midsize cars TSP+ Acceptable ~$27,450 91.9 98.12
#30 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Midsize SUVs TSP Acceptable ~$39,310 91.8 97.5
#31 2027 Honda HR V Small SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$26,200 91.7 98.12
#31 2026 Mazda CX 50 Small SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$29,900 91.7 98.12
#33 2026 Hyundai Tucson Small SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$29,450 91.7 97.5
#33 2026 Kia SportageAward applies only to vehicles built after May 2025 Small SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$28,690 91.7 97.5
#35 2026 Nissan Pathfinder Midsize SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$39,045 91.7 96.88
#36 2026 Hyundai Kona Small SUVs TSP+ Acceptable ~$25,500 91.7 96.25
#36 2026 Tesla Model 3 Midsize luxury cars — Good ~$36,990 91.7 96.25
#38 2026 Honda Accord Midsize cars TSP Good ~$28,395 91.2 98.12
#39 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Small cars TSP+ Acceptable ~$33,995 91.0 96.88
#40 2027 Buick Enclave Midsize SUVs TSP Acceptable ~$46,400 90.6 96.88
#41 2026 Volvo XC60 Midsize luxury SUVs — Good ~$49,700 90.6 94.38
#42 2026 Toyota Camry Midsize cars TSP+ Acceptable ~$29,100 89.9 98.12
#43 2026 Mazda 3 (Hatchback) Small cars TSP+ Acceptable ~$25,650 89.6 97.5
#43 2026 Mazda 3 (Sedan) Small cars TSP+ Acceptable ~$24,650 89.6 97.5
#45 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Midsize SUVs — Good ~$41,360 89.4 96.88
#46 2026 Honda Civic (Hatchback) Small cars TSP Acceptable ~$27,895 89.1 96.25
#47 2026 Toyota Prius Small cars TSP+ Acceptable ~$28,550 89.0 97.5
#48 2026 Nissan Leaf Small cars — Acceptable ~$29,990 88.1 97.5
#49 2026 Nissan Rogue Small SUVs — Acceptable ~$29,090 87.7 96.25
#50 2027 Chevrolet Equinox Small SUVs — Acceptable ~$28,800 87.1 96.25
#51 2027 Chevrolet Blazer EV Midsize SUVs — Good ~$44,700 86.3 95.62
#52 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Small pickups — Acceptable ~$29,750 86.2 94.38
#53 2026 Honda Pilot Midsize SUVs — Marginal ~$42,195 85.2 97.5
#54 2026 Honda Prologue Midsize SUVs — Acceptable ~$39,900 84.4 95.62
#55 2026 BMW 3 Series Midsize luxury cars — Marginal ~$47,500 84.2 97.5
#56 2026 Acura ADX Small SUVs — Marginal ~$35,000 84.0 93.12
#57 2026 Subaru Solterra Small SUVs — Acceptable ~$38,495 83.0 93.75
#57 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Small SUVs — Acceptable ~$39,995 83.0 93.75
#57 2026 Toyota Bz Small SUVs — Acceptable ~$34,900 83.0 93.75
#57 2026 Toyota Bz Woodland Small SUVs — Acceptable ~$45,300 83.0 93.75
#61 2027 Chevrolet Traverse Midsize SUVs — Marginal ~$42,695 81.4 96.25
#61 2027 GMC Acadia Midsize SUVs — Marginal ~$43,700 81.4 96.25
#63 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Small SUVs — Marginal ~$24,635 81.3 95.0
#64 2026 Acura Integra Small cars — Marginal ~$33,400 80.5 95.0
#65 2026 Honda Civic (Sedan) Small cars — Marginal ~$24,595 80.0 95.0
#66 2026 Audi A3 Midsize luxury cars — Good ~$40,100 79.7 91.25
#67 2026 Nissan Frontier Small pickups — Acceptable ~$33,550 79.5 94.38
#68 2026 Jeep Gladiator Small pickups — Good ~$39,820 76.9 95.62
#69 2026 Jeep Wrangler Midsize SUVs — Good ~$36,035 75.9 94.38
#70 2026 Nissan Kicks Small SUVs — Marginal ~$22,730 75.7 93.75
#71 2026 Toyota Highlander Midsize SUVs — Marginal ~$40,000 75.6 93.75
#72 2026 GMC Canyon Small pickups — Acceptable ~$38,900 75.3 91.88
#73 2026 Toyota Crown Signia Midsize SUVs — Marginal ~$44,390 75.1 93.75
#74 2026 Toyota Corolla (Sedan) Small cars — Marginal ~$22,725 74.9 93.12
#75 2026 Ford Maverick Small pickups — Marginal ~$27,145 74.0 92.5
#76 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Small cars — Marginal ~$26,995 73.6 93.75
#77 2026 Subaru Impreza Small cars — Marginal ~$26,595 73.6 92.5
#78 2026 Toyota Tacoma Small pickups — Poor ~$34,205 72.8 95.62
#79 2026 Ford Bronco Midsize SUVs — Good ~$40,795 72.8 93.75
#80 2027 Honda Odyssey Minivans — Acceptable ~$42,795 72.7 90.62
#80 2026 Chrysler Pacifica Minivans — Acceptable ~$44,445 72.7 90.62
#82 2026 Kia K4 (Hatchback) Small cars — Marginal ~$24,890 72.2 93.12
#83 2026 Lexus RX Midsize luxury SUVs — Poor ~$49,725 72.1 89.38
#84 2026 Toyota Sienna Minivans — Poor ~$41,320 71.9 94.38
#85 2026 Ford Bronco Sport Small SUVs — Marginal ~$31,845 71.6 90.0
#86 2026 Buick Envista Small SUVs — Good ~$26,495 71.2 91.88
#87 2026 Kia EV6 Small SUVs — Poor ~$37,900 70.6 93.75
#88 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Midsize SUVs — Poor ~$30,805 68.9 90.62
#89 2026 Subaru WRX Small cars — Marginal ~$32,495 68.1 91.25
#90 2026 Ram 1500 Large pickups — Poor ~$44,775 67.3 91.25
#91 2027 Honda CR V Small SUVs — Poor ~$30,920 66.6 91.88
#92 2026 Chevrolet Trax Small SUVs — Good ~$21,700 66.2 91.88
#93 2026 Ford F 150 (Crew cab) Large pickups — Poor ~$46,730 66.1 86.88
#94 2026 Kia Seltos Small SUVs — Acceptable ~$23,790 64.8 86.88
#95 2026 Volkswagen Taos Small SUVs — Acceptable ~$26,500 59.2 88.12
#96 2026 Jeep Compass Small SUVs — Good ~$29,550 59.1 82.5
#97 2026 Honda Ridgeline Small pickups — Marginal ~$40,595 51.2 84.38
#98 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Large pickups — Marginal ~$45,000 43.0 80.62
#99 2026 Nissan Altima Midsize cars — Poor ~$27,580 41.6 81.25

Rear restraints is the IIHS rear-passenger restraints and dummy-kinematics result from the updated moderate-overlap test; it is the single detail that most often separates otherwise similar vehicles. Prices are approximate base MSRPs excluding destination, last checked 2026-09.

3 current under $50,000 still waiting on complete IIHS results

These vehicles are listed so you can see what has been tested. A missing result is never treated as a pass or a fail, so they are not ranked.

VehiclePrimary tests reportedDetail results reportedIIHS award
2026 Ford Escape 4/4 4/4 —
2026 Ford Ranger 4/4 4/4 —
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 2/4 3/4 —

Safest at every price

Safest under $50,000 at every price

A vehicle appears here only if it is safer than every cheaper option, so each row is the best score available at that budget.

Safest choiceScoreStarting around
2026 Chevrolet Trax 66.2 ~$21,700
2026 Kia K4 (Sedan) 92.1 ~$22,290
2026 Nissan Sentra 92.2 ~$22,600
2026 Hyundai Elantra 94.1 ~$22,625
2026 Mazda CX 5 94.2 ~$29,990
2026 Subaru Forester 94.3 ~$29,995
2026 Kia SorentoAward applies only to vehicles built after September 2025 95.4 ~$32,390
2026 Ford Mustang Mach E 95.6 ~$37,795
2026 Hyundai PalisadeAward applies only to vehicles built after November 2025 96.8 ~$38,935
2027 Tesla Model Y 98.6 ~$39,990

What the class context means

Prices are approximate base-trim MSRPs excluding destination charges and were last checked on the date shown below the table.

Every vehicle on this page is scored with the same published formula as the main ranking. The full method, the exact weights, and the missing-evidence rules are on the methodology page.

Questions people ask

What is the safest car under $50,000 in 2026?

The 2027 Tesla Model Y leads our current ranking of under $50,000 with a score of 98.6/100 from published IIHS tests and a Top Safety Pick+ award. 99 under $50,000 have complete records; ties share a rank.

Do you need to spend $50,000 for the safest car?

No. The safest-at-every-price table on the main ranking shows the exact price points where a higher score becomes available. Above roughly $50,000 the gains are small.

Are prices current?

Prices are approximate base MSRPs and are rechecked periodically; the date is shown under the table. Confirm current pricing with a dealer.

Keep comparing

Safest cars overallRelated ranking Safest luxury SUVsRelated ranking Safest cars under $40,000Related ranking Safest family SUVsRelated ranking

Other rankings by type: Small SUVs · Midsize SUVs · Large SUVs · Luxury SUVs · Sedans · Compact cars · Pickup trucks · Electric vehicles · Hybrids · Under $30,000 · Under $40,000 · Top Safety Pick winners · Teen drivers · Lowest-rated