The safest hybrid in our current 2026 ranking is the 2026 Mazda CX 90 PHEV, scoring 94.3/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. It leads 4 hybrids with complete IIHS records; 4 more are still missing at least one test and are listed separately below.
All current hybrids ranked by safety
Equal scores 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.
| Rank | Vehicle | Class | IIHS award | Rear restraints | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2026 Mazda CX 90 PHEV | Midsize SUVs | TSP+ | Good | 94.3 |
| #2 | 2026 Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid | Midsize luxury SUVs | TSP | Acceptable | 93.6 |
| #3 | 2026 Mazda CX 70 PHEV | Midsize SUVs | TSP+ | Good | 92.9 |
| #4 | 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid | Small cars | TSP+ | Acceptable | 91.0 |
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.
Safest hybrids 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.
| Your budget | Safest choice | Score | Starting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $44K | 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid | 91.0 | ~$33,995 |
| $44Kβ$50K | 2026 Mazda CX 70 PHEV | 92.9 | ~$44,250 |
| $50K+ | 2026 Mazda CX 90 PHEV | 94.3 | ~$50,695 |
4 current hybrids 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.
| Vehicle | Primary tests reported | Detail results reported | IIHS award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid | 3/4 | 3/4 | β |
| 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid | 3/4 | 3/4 | β |
| 2026 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid | 3/4 | 3/4 | β |
| 2026 Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid | 3/4 | 3/4 | β |
What the class context means
Because most hybrids share crash ratings with their gas siblings, this list is short and skews toward plug-in models with heavier battery packs. Use the gas model's page for a hybrid that is not listed here.
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 hybrid in 2026?
The 2026 Mazda CX 90 PHEV leads our current ranking of hybrids with a score of 94.3/100 from published IIHS tests and a Top Safety Pick+ award. 4 hybrids have complete records; ties share a rank.
Does a hybrid have the same crash rating as the gas version?
Usually yes. IIHS rates the nameplate once when the hybrid shares its body and structure. When the battery changes weight or structure enough, IIHS tests it separately, and only those separately tested hybrids appear on this page.
Are plug-in hybrids safer because they are heavier?
Extra mass helps occupants in crashes with lighter vehicles, and it shows up modestly in class death rates. It does not improve the rear-seat restraint results that decide the top of the ranking.
Keep comparing
Other rankings by type: Small SUVs Β· Midsize SUVs Β· Large SUVs Β· Luxury SUVs Β· Sedans Β· Compact cars Β· Pickup trucks Β· Electric vehicles Β· Under $30,000 Β· Under $40,000 Β· Under $50,000 Β· Top Safety Pick winners Β· Teen drivers Β· Lowest-rated