If you’re in the market for an SUV, safety is likely at the top of your priority list—and when it comes to crash testing and safety ratings, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is the gold standard I rely on every day as an SUV supplier. For over 20 years, IIHS has set a higher bar than the federal government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with more rigorous crash tests, including side-impact evaluations that mimic being hit by a 4,200-pound SUV at 38 mph, small overlap front tests that replicate crashing into a tree or utility pole, and even nighttime crash avoidance assessments for active safety features like automatic emergency braking. SUV
As someone who works directly with automakers to source and supply SUV components, I’ve seen how IIHS ratings don’t just matter to consumers—they shape production plans, spare part inventory, and how we talk to fleet buyers. Over the past 12 months, I’ve had dozens of meetings with retail and commercial clients asking, “Which SUVs actually earn IIHS’s top honors?” so I decided to compile this breakdown of the SUVs with the best IIHS safety ratings, plus a supplier’s perspective on why these ratings aren’t just numbers on a page.
First, let’s clarify IIHS’s key awards because not all “top safety” designations are equal. There are two top-tier honors: Top Safety Pick (TSP) and Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+). To earn TSP+, a vehicle must score “Good” in all six IIHS crashworthiness tests (small overlap front driver and passenger, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints/seats), have advanced or superior-rated front crash prevention systems, and meet updated headlight standards. TSP follows the same crashworthiness rules but only requires basic front crash prevention. For an SUV, especially since many families and small businesses use them for daily commutes and long trips, TSP+ is the threshold for a truly safe pick.
When I’m vetting models for our supply chain, I look closely at SUV categories because safety performance varies wildly by size. Subcompact SUVs, for example, tend to struggle with small overlap crash tests due to their smaller frame, but some models have broken through. The Honda CR-V Hybrid is a standout in the compact SUV segment, grabbing a 2024 TSP+. I’ve sourced steel reinforcements for the CR-V’s front end before, and what stands out is how Honda reinforced the passenger-side small overlap zone—when a car hits just 25% of the front corner, many smaller vehicles leave the passenger compartment exposed, but the CR-V’s design keeps intrusion below IIHS’s “Good” threshold. It also has superior-rated front crash prevention that works even at night, which is a big deal because 50% of pedestrian fatalities happen after dark, per IIHS data.
Moving to midsize SUVs, the 2024 Subaru Outback and Kia Telluride are both TSP+ winners, and here’s where my supplier experience adds context. Last year, we supplied body moldings for the Telluride’s roof rails, which IIHS tests to ensure the roof doesn’t collapse in a rollover. The Telluride’s roof strength is 5.9 times its curb weight—way above the 4x minimum IIHS requires for “Good.” The Outback, though, has a unique advantage: its EyeSight driver assist system is standard on every trim, not just high-end models. As a supplier, I always emphasize that standard safety features aren’t a luxury—they should be accessible, and both these models deliver that, which is why they’re top sellers for family fleets.
For three-row midsize SUVs, a category that’s huge for small businesses needing work vehicles or large families, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 is a recent TSP+ addition that’s turning heads. I worked with Mazda on the CX-90’s door latch systems last quarter, and one detail that made IIHS happy is their updated side-impact airbags that protect both the chest and pelvis—something many competing three-row models skimp on. I also had a client last month who switched from a competitor model to the CX-90 because the old model only had a side curtain airbag for the first two rows, while the CX-90 extends curtains to all three. That’s the kind of design choice that makes a real difference in crash safety, and it’s exactly why IIHS rates these SUVs so highly.
If we’re talking about larger SUVs, like full-size models, the 2024 Ford Explorer is a TSP+ winner, and here’s where I’ve seen how IIHS ratings impact supplier logistics. The Explorer’s moderate overlap front test has a “Good” rating, which is important because that’s the most common type of crash, but its small overlap passenger-side test was a weak spot for a long time. When Ford redesigned the Explorer in 2020, they worked with steel suppliers like ours to add high-strength boron steel to the passenger front corner, pushing it from “Marginal” to “Good.” As someone who manages inventory, I know that swapping out a component for a higher-strength steel can add a few dollars to each vehicle’s cost, but the long-term payoff in safety (and resale value) is huge. Ford’s TSP+ rating has actually helped our supply chain secure more fleet contracts for Explorer parts, so it’s a win-win.
Now, let’s talk about SUVs that miss the mark, because that’s just as important for a supplier. Earlier this year, a client asked about a popular subcompact SUV that had a “Marginal” rating in the driver-side small overlap test, and I had to explain why IIHS doesn’t just penalize small vehicles—it expects automakers to adapt. That subcompact had a sloped hood to improve aerodynamics, but it left the front crash structure too short to handle a small overlap crash. I didn’t supply parts for that model, and I warned the client that if safety is their top priority, they should look at models that prioritize crash structure over aerodynamics, even if it means a slightly larger vehicle.
As an SUV supplier, I also keep an eye on emerging trends that IIHS is starting to test, like electric SUVs. The 2024 Tesla Model Y is a TSP+ winner, which surprised a lot of people because electric vehicles often have heavy batteries that can shift in a crash. But what Tesla did was integrate the battery pack into the chassis, which adds rigidity that helps in crash tests. I recently supplied battery cooling hoses for the Model Y, and while that part is for EV performance, I know the chassis design is a big reason it earned top marks. It’s a good example of how electrification doesn’t have to mean sacrificing safety—if automakers design smart, it can actually enhance it.
Now, I want to share a quick anecdote that drives home why this matters. Last year, I met a small business owner who used a mid-sized SUV to transport construction tools and his two teenage kids. He’d been driving an SUV that got a “Poor” side-impact rating, and after a close call on the highway where another driver T-boned him, he started shopping for a safer model. He ended up buying the Kia Telluride, which has a “Good” side rating, and told me later that his kids always feel safer now. That’s why I don’t just sell parts—I connect buyers to SUVs that aren’t just rated safe, but are built to protect the people inside.
If you’re a consumer, fleet manager, or anyone looking for an SUV with the best IIHS safety ratings, here’s my advice: don’t just look at the IIHS website’s list—dig into the specifics. A TSP+ is great, but check which trim levels have top ratings, because many automakers only offer best headlight systems on high-end trims. Also, consider how the safety features are deployed: standard is better than optional, because optional features often get overlooked by drivers.
As an SUV supplier, my job isn’t just to provide parts—it’s to help buyers make informed decisions about safe, reliable vehicles. If you’re looking to source safe SUVs for personal use, a small business fleet, or any other purpose, I’m here to help walk through options, share insights on how IIHS ratings translate to real-world safety, and discuss supply opportunities that fit your needs.
Midsize Sedan References: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2024 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ Awards; IIHS 2023 Pedestrian Crash Data Report; IIHS 2024 Small Overlap Front Crash Test Results.
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