The quest for a new vehicle often involves prioritizing safety, and for good reason. Organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rigorously crash test hundreds of vehicles annually, providing consumers with data-driven safety ratings. For those in the market for a Safest Small Suv, the IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards are invaluable resources. This year, over 60 vehicles across various segments earned these prestigious accolades, indicating superior safety performance. Let’s delve into the small SUVs that stand out as safest small suv choices based on IIHS evaluations. These ratings are crucial for anyone prioritizing passenger protection and aiming to drive the safest small suv available.
BMW X1
BMW X1 IIHS Top Safety Pick Rating
Image: The BMW X1 earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick for its robust crash performance, except for seatbelt reminder volume.
The BMW X1, BMW’s entry into the small SUV category, has secured an IIHS Top Safety Pick. This safest small suv contender demonstrated “good” ratings in critical areas like side impact and small overlap front crash tests. The X1’s safety performance is commendable, with the only area for improvement noted by IIHS being the volume of its seat belt reminders, which was deemed too low. For buyers seeking a safest small suv with strong crashworthiness, the BMW X1 is a worthy consideration.
BMW X2
BMW X2 IIHS Safety Performance
Image: The redesigned 2024 BMW X2 achieves high safety scores in IIHS evaluations, making it a safe small SUV.
The recently redesigned 2024 BMW X2 further solidifies BMW’s commitment to safety in its SUV lineup. This safest small suv achieved “good” ratings across all IIHS categories, except for “acceptable” rating for rear passenger torso protection in injury measures. This near-perfect score highlights the X2 as a top choice for those prioritizing a safest small suv with comprehensive safety features and robust crash protection.
Genesis GV60
Genesis GV60 Top Safety Pick Plus Electric SUV
Image: The Genesis GV60 electric crossover is recognized as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, with strong performance in crash tests.
The Genesis GV60, an electric crossover often praised for its excellence, has earned the coveted IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation. This award positions the GV60 as a leading safest small suv in the electric vehicle segment. While achieving “good” ratings in the majority of categories, the GV60 received “acceptable” scores for rear LATCH system ease of use and for driver injury measures concerning lower leg/foot, torso, and pelvis. Despite these minor areas, the GV60 remains a top contender for buyers seeking a safest small suv that is also electric.
Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V IIHS Top Safety Pick for Family SUV
Image: Honda CR-V earns IIHS Top Safety Pick, recognized for safety but with moderate overlap front crash test concerns.
Honda’s popular CR-V, a best-selling model, is recognized as an IIHS Top Safety Pick. This safest small suv option generally performed well in crash tests, achieving “good” ratings in many areas. However, the CR-V fell short in the moderate overlap front crash test and rear passenger restraint performance, receiving “poor” ratings in these critical safety aspects. While a Top Safety Pick, prospective buyers should note these specific areas when considering the CR-V as their safest small suv choice.
Honda HR-V
Honda HR-V Top Safety Pick Plus Small Crossover SUV
Image: Honda HR-V excels in safety testing and achieves IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, outperforming the CR-V.
Interestingly, Honda’s smaller crossover, the HR-V, outperformed its CR-V sibling in IIHS testing, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating. This distinction positions the HR-V as a safest small suv option within the Honda lineup and the broader market. The HR-V achieved “good” ratings across most categories, with “acceptable” ratings in child seat anchors, headlights, and driver injury measures for head/neck and torso protection. For those prioritizing top-tier safety in a compact package, the Honda HR-V is a strong contender for safest small suv.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Electric SUV with Top Safety Rating
Image: Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric crossover SUV recognized as IIHS Top Safety Pick+ despite some acceptable ratings.
Hyundai’s electric crossover, the Ioniq 5, secured a Top Safety Pick+ rating, demonstrating Hyundai’s commitment to safety in its EV offerings. As a safest small suv in the electric category, the Ioniq 5 received “acceptable” ratings in areas such as headlights, front crash prevention for pedestrians, structure and safety cage, and rear child seat anchors. Despite these “acceptable” scores, the overall Top Safety Pick+ rating affirms the Ioniq 5 as a safe and appealing safest small suv choice for EV buyers.
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Kona Futuristic Design and Top Safety Pick Plus
Image: Hyundai Kona small crossover SUV earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with futuristic styling and solid safety performance.
The Hyundai Kona, known for its futuristic design, also earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating, further expanding Hyundai’s list of safest small suv models. Despite this top safety accolade, the Kona received “acceptable” ratings for headlights and child seat anchors. Nevertheless, its Top Safety Pick+ status confirms the Hyundai Kona as a safest small suv option that doesn’t compromise on style or safety.
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai Tucson IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus Award Winner
Image: Hyundai Tucson SUV earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, marking Hyundai’s third safest small SUV on the list.
The Hyundai Tucson joins its stablemates with a Top Safety Pick+ rating, marking the third Hyundai model on this list of safest small suv vehicles. While the Tucson’s headlights and rear child latch system received “acceptable” ratings, and its standard crash avoidance systems were rated “marginal,” the overall Top Safety Pick+ designation underscores its strong safety performance. The Tucson is another solid option for consumers seeking a safest small suv from Hyundai.
Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage IIHS Top Safety Pick for Reliable Safety
Image: Kia Sportage SUV recognized as IIHS Top Safety Pick for crashworthiness despite some lower ratings in other categories.
The Kia Sportage earned a Top Safety Pick rating, demonstrating robust crashworthiness. This safest small suv achieved “good” ratings in all three crashworthiness categories. However, the Sportage received “acceptable” ratings for headlights, front crash prevention for pedestrians, and child LATCH system ease of use. Its forward collision avoidance assist system also received a “marginal” score. Despite these mixed ratings, the Sportage’s Top Safety Pick status indicates it as a reasonably safest small suv choice, particularly excelling in crash protection.
Lexus RZ
Lexus RZ Electric SUV Top Safety Pick
Image: Lexus RZ electric SUV earns IIHS Top Safety Pick with easy-to-use child latch system and strong safety performance.
Lexus’s electric SUV, the RZ, is recognized as a Top Safety Pick, highlighting Lexus’s foray into safest small suv EVs. The RZ achieved “good” ratings across all categories except for headlights, which were rated “acceptable.” Notably, the Lexus RZ surpassed many other Top Safety Picks with its child latch system praised for its ease of use, making it a particularly family-friendly safest small suv.
Lexus UX
Lexus UX Compact SUV IIHS Top Safety Pick
Image: Lexus UX compact crossover SUV achieves IIHS Top Safety Pick, recognized for safety in the luxury segment.
Lexus’s smallest crossover, the UX, is another Top Safety Pick for the brand, reinforcing Lexus’s reputation for safety in the luxury segment. This safest small suv scored “good” in every IIHS category except for the moderate overlap front crash test, where it received an “acceptable” rating. Despite this, the Lexus UX remains a safest small suv option, offering luxury and safety in a compact package.
Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Top Safety Pick Plus Small Crossover
Image: Mazda CX-30 compact crossover earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with perfect “good” ratings across all categories.
Mazda’s smallest crossover, the CX-30, stands out with a Top Safety Pick+ rating and “good” scores across every single IIHS testing category. This perfect score positions the Mazda CX-30 as a leading safest small suv in terms of comprehensive safety performance. For buyers seeking the highest level of safety in a small SUV, the Mazda CX-30 is an exemplary choice.
Mazda CX-50
Mazda CX-50 IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus with Strong Safety Scores
Image: Mazda CX-50 SUV earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+, highlighting Mazda’s commitment to vehicle safety across its SUV lineup.
The Mazda CX-50 further cements Mazda’s reputation for safety, earning another Top Safety Pick+ rating for the automaker. This safest small suv achieved “acceptable” ratings for headlights (varying by trim) and pedestrian crash avoidance system. Despite these minor shortcomings, the CX-50’s Top Safety Pick+ status confirms it as a safest small suv option, contributing to Mazda’s impressive safety portfolio.
Subaru Solterra
Subaru Solterra Electric SUV Top Safety Pick Plus
Image: Subaru Solterra electric SUV achieves IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, showcasing Subaru’s focus on safety in EVs.
Despite mixed reviews regarding its overall driving experience, the Subaru Solterra achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating. This accolade underscores Subaru’s dedication to safety, even in its electric vehicle offerings. The Solterra, as a safest small suv, earned “good” ratings across every IIHS category. For buyers prioritizing safety above all else in an electric small SUV, the Subaru Solterra is a noteworthy safest small suv option.
Conclusion:
Choosing a safest small suv is a paramount consideration for many car buyers. The IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards provide a clear benchmark for identifying vehicles that offer superior safety performance. This list showcases a variety of small SUVs from different manufacturers that have excelled in IIHS crash tests and safety evaluations. Whether you prioritize top-tier crashworthiness, advanced safety features, or simply peace of mind, these safest small suv options represent the best choices currently available on the market, ensuring greater protection for you and your passengers.
