Choosing an SUV involves more than comparing prices, fuel economy, and cargo space. Safety ratings matter just as much, especially for families and drivers who spend hours on busy roads.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) puts vehicles through crash tests and evaluates features designed to help prevent collisions. Its awards can help shoppers identify models that offer strong protection, although ratings may vary by model year, trim, headlights, and optional equipment.
This list combines the supplied year-to-date US sales figures with the reported 2026 IIHS safety designations for seven popular SUVs. The ranking follows sales volume, from the Honda CR-V to the Hyundai Tucson, while highlighting what shoppers should know about each vehicle’s reported safety performance.
1. Honda CR-V
US Sales: 336,844 units
The Honda CR-V takes first place on this list, supported by strong sales and a reputation for practical family transportation. Its reported 2026 IIHS safety information points to solid protective performance, although the supplied details do not identify a specific award for every version.
For everyday driving, the CR-V offers a roomy cabin, useful cargo capacity, and a comfortable ride. These qualities make it suitable for school runs, commuting, grocery trips, and longer journeys. Its available driver-assistance features can also help drivers respond to certain road hazards.
Shoppers should check the IIHS results for the exact model year they intend to buy. Crash-test scores and award eligibility can vary by equipment, headlights, and whether the vehicle has collision-prevention systems. A model’s popularity alone does not prove that every version earns the same safety rating.
The CR-V’s first-place sales position makes it a strong starting point for shoppers who need a versatile SUV. Still, buyers should compare the vehicle’s specific test results with their needs before making a purchase.
2. Tesla Model Y
US Sales: 262,491 units
Here is the standout on the safety front. The Tesla Model Y, with 262,491 units sold year to date, holds a Top Safety Pick+ designation for the 2026 and 2027 model years. That is the highest award tier IIHS offers, and it puts the Model Y in elite company.
What does that mean in plain terms? IIHS earns its awards through a demanding set of crash tests and evaluations, so a Top Safety Pick+ signals strong protection across multiple scenarios. For parents shopping for a family hauler, that is a reassuring badge.
Keep one detail in mind: the award applies to the 2026 and 2027 Model Y. If you are looking at an older used example, do not assume the same designation carries over. Verify the specific model year, because IIHS criteria tighten from time to time, and past winners do not always stay on top.
As an electric vehicle, the Model Y also brings different ownership considerations, such as charging access, range, and home setup. Safety is only one part of the equation, so weigh it alongside your daily routine and budget.
If a top safety designation is your priority, the Model Y deserves a long look. Take a test drive, read the IIHS report, and decide how it fits your life.
3. Toyota RAV4
US Sales: 253,664 units
Steady, familiar, and trusted. The Toyota RAV4 sold 253,664 units year to date, and its safety story fits that dependable personality. The IIHS result is listed as standard high safety performance.
Let us unpack that. It means the RAV4 performs well in the institute’s evaluations without being listed under a Top Safety Pick tier in this data.
That is a strong result, and many buyers will be happy with it. Yet if you are comparing awards directly, a vehicle holding Top Safety Pick+ sits a step higher.
Does that make the RAV4 a worse choice? Not at all. Safety awards are one lens, and they capture a specific set of tests. Other factors matter too, including visibility, ease of driving, driver-assistance features, and how comfortable you feel behind the wheel.
During your test drive, try a few simple checks:
Sit in the driver’s seat and see how clear your sightlines are. Look over your shoulder to judge blind spots. Test the driver-assistance features in a safe setting, and read the manual so you understand how they work.
Finally, review the IIHS ratings for the exact model year. Details can vary, and you want the version you will actually own. The RAV4 remains a sensible pick for shoppers who value reliability and solid protection.
4. Chevrolet Equinox
US Sales: 209,732 units
The Chevrolet Equinox earns fourth place in the supplied sales ranking. Its reported safety information points to protective performance across crash evaluations, although the provided details do not specify a named IIHS award for the 2026 model.
This compact SUV suits drivers who want everyday practicality without moving to a much larger vehicle. Its cabin accommodates routine family needs, while its cargo area can handle shopping bags, luggage, and sports equipment.
Available safety technology can assist with certain driving tasks, depending on the trim and equipment package. For buyers, the distinction between a crash-test result and an award matters.
An IIHS award requires a vehicle to satisfy a defined set of criteria. A general statement about protective ratings does not establish that a vehicle qualifies for Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+.
Check the official IIHS database before choosing a particular Equinox. Pay attention to the model year, crash-test scores, headlight rating, and whether the tested configuration matches the vehicle at the dealership.
A careful test drive and review of the owner’s manual can also help buyers understand how the safety systems work. These features support attentive driving rather than replacing it.
The Equinox deserves consideration for shoppers who value practical space and familiar controls. Its place on this list reflects sales volume and the supplied safety information, not a claim that it outranks every rival in crash protection.
5. Nissan Rogue
US Sales: 201,991 units
Quiet success deserves recognition. The Nissan Rogue sold 201,991 units year to date, placing it solidly among the nation’s top sellers. Its IIHS entry reads: standard safety evaluation.
That wording is simple, and it signals a vehicle that has been tested and evaluated without carrying a top award tier in this dataset. For buyers, the takeaway is balanced.
The Rogue can still be a smart purchase, but it asks for a little extra research if safety designations drive your decision. How should you dig deeper? Start with the IIHS website.
Enter the model year, and review each category separately. Look at small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and headlight performance.
Then check the front crash prevention results, which show how well the vehicle’s automatic braking systems work.
Next, compare the Rogue with the other SUVs in this article. Place the safety ratings side by side, then add price, fuel economy, and cargo space to the comparison.
Ask yourself what matters most. If you want the top award badge, you might lean toward a Top Safety Pick+ model. If you value comfort, value, and a smooth ride, the Rogue could still be the right fit.
Smart shoppers rely on facts, not assumptions. Check the numbers, then choose with confidence.
6. Ford Explorer
US Sales: 189,210 units
Three rows, plenty of space, and a bit of rugged charm. The Ford Explorer sold 189,210 units year to date, and its 2026 model carries a Top Safety Pick designation.
One important detail is that the listing includes certain side-impact and headlight configurations rated acceptable. Under IIHS standards, vehicle components receive one of four ratings, good, acceptable, marginal, or poor. An acceptable rating indicates that the component provides a reasonable level of protection or performance, although it falls short of the highest rating, good.
Acceptable is the second tier, so it reflects decent performance with room to improve. That is not a red flag, but it tells you the Explorer does not score top marks in every category.
The word “variants” matters, too. Headlight performance often depends on the trim level and the type of lighting installed. One version of the Explorer might score better than another. If you do much night driving, check which headlights come on the trim you plan to buy.
Here is a practical tip. Ask the dealer for the exact trim’s IIHS rating, and verify it on the institute’s website. Do not rely on a general claim about the model.
Big families will appreciate the Explorer’s space and versatility. Pair that with a Top Safety Pick designation, and you have a strong all-around package, as long as you confirm the details on the version you want.
7. Hyundai Tucson
US Sales: 181,687 units
The Hyundai Tucson completes this ranking with a reported 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation. That award gives the compact SUV a strong safety credential, subject to the institute’s stated model-year and equipment requirements.
The Tucson combines a modern cabin with practical passenger space and a cargo area suited to everyday errands. Depending on the version, it is available with different powertrain choices, including electrified options. This gives shoppers room to compare efficiency, driving feel, and purchase price.
The Top Safety Pick+ designation reflects performance across specified crash tests and the availability of qualifying safety equipment. Since IIHS criteria can change from year to year, a rating for a 2026 Tucson should not automatically be applied to an earlier model.
Anyone considering a Tucson should confirm the exact vehicle’s award status and review its headlight rating, crash-test results, and standard driver-assistance features. Buyers looking at used examples should also check recalls and maintenance records.
Safety ratings are an important part of the purchase decision, but they are not the only consideration. Visibility, seating comfort, ease of using the controls, and the driver’s ability to maintain attention all matter during daily use.
The Tucson rounds out this group with a strong reported IIHS designation and practical family-SUV features. For shoppers comparing popular models, it is a worthwhile candidate, provided its specific configuration matches the safety information being reviewed.
