What are the top 10 safest SUVs for 2022
Valerie Raskovic
Feb 27, 2022
SUVs are one of the fastest-growing new automobile segments in the United States, despite their lack of popularity in the past. These cars are frequently chosen for their family appeal, thus cargo capacity, passenger space, affordability, and safety are all typical factors. There are several SUVs that address these issues, but which one is the safest for you?
And how is that determined? Generally, most people consider a car or SUV safe when it passes a series of tests created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA. They also rely on testing done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS. These organizations use their own safety models and tests to determine just how reliable and safe a car is. You can also visit VinCheckUp.com and do your own research and find out what the car history report will tell you about the cars safety as it pertains to it’s history.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rates automobiles on a five-star scale, with five stars being the best. Frontal crash testing, side crash tests, and rollover tests are the three primary types. The results of these three tests contribute to the NHTSA's overall rating of a vehicle.
Up to six primary tests are used by the IIHS to determine how safe a vehicle is: driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and rear, commonly known as head restraints and seats. It's also measured how well a car's headlights illuminate the road ahead. The IIHS assigns a four-point scale to these assessments: poor, marginal, acceptable, and good.
Volvo XC40
Despite being Volvo's smallest and least priced SUV, the XC40 has all the safety features found in the company's larger 60 and 90 series SUVs. That means that, regardless of trim level, collision warning with automated emergency braking, pedestrian and bicycle detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring are all included.
The Volvo XC40 is a delightful compact SUV that is one of the greatest small luxury SUVs on the market today. Despite its small size, the inside seems spacious, and in R-Design specification with Volvo's AWD, it's a fantastic SUV to drive. The XC40 Recharge is a plug-in hybrid variant of the XC40. Whatever engine drives the XC40, it's difficult to go wrong with this SUV.
Mazda CX-9
Even though the three-row 2022 CX-9 is getting on in years, it is still a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and has a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The CX-9 comes with all the same safety features as the CX-3, CX-30, and CX-5. However, because the CX-9 is Mazda's largest and most luxury vehicle, all that safety technology is standard. A 360-degree view camera system, driver attentiveness warning, and front and rear parking sensors are among the few safety features available.
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer can end up costing you a lot of money, with a price tag that can go over $50,000. But it’s also one of the safest SUVs on the market and that’s why it’s been so incredibly popular for decades now. Even as other SUVs gain in popularity, the Explorer remains reliable and steadfast and safe and continually receives very high marks from multiple agencies.
Toyota Highlander
Toyota produces a wide range of SUVs, from the C-HR to the Sequoia to the soon-to-be-discontinued Land Cruiser, but the IIHS and NHTSA rank the 2022 Highlander as the safest of the bunch. Highlanders all feature Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a package of proactive safety technologies that includes automated emergency braking, cruise control, lane departure warning, road sign recognition, and automatic high beams, in addition to strong crash test scores. Other safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, are available as options.
Lexus NX
Lexus Safety Sense is a suite of safety technologies that comes standard on all Lexus vehicles. Automatic emergency braking, blind-spot detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, and other features are included in the package. A park assist function and a surround vision camera system are the sole optional safety features, and they're offered on every NX trim level.
Acura RDX
The Acura RDX not only looks well and drives well, but it's also a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and has a five-star overall accident rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. AcuraWatch, a suite of safety technologies, is included as standard equipment. That means you'll receive automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and road departure avoidance for free. A full vision camera system, blind-spot monitoring, front and reverse parking sensors, and a rear cross-traffic monitoring system are all available safety features.
Volvo XC60
The XC60 comes in the middle of the pack for Volvo SUV modes, and there's no difference in safety between the XC90, XC60, and XC40. All the basic equipment found on the XC40 is also included on the XC60. The XC60, like the other vehicles on this list, receives an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation for 2022 and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.
The inside is fantastic; it's attractive from every angle, there are a variety of powertrains to choose from, and the ride-handling balance is superb. Volvos may not be the first choice for luxury shoppers these days, but those who do will not be disappointed if they go for one over a BMW or Mercedes.
Cadillac XT6
The Cadillac XT6 is the company's second-largest SUV, but it also happens to have the greatest safety rating of any Cadillac—SUV or otherwise. It boasts a variety of standard safety features in addition to being a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and getting a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA. The XT6 comes equipped with front pedestrian braking, frontal collision warning, and lane maintain assist with lane departure warning. Night vision (to assist you detect objects and pedestrians on dimly lit roads), blind-spot monitoring with lane change warning, and a rear cross-traffic alert system are also possible options.
Audi E-Tron
Only the E-Tron and its Sportback version have received five-star NHTSA ratings and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ certification for 2022. While we may not have the amazing side-view cameras that the European market has, the E-Tron is still packed with useful safety features. Audi pre sense is standard on all E-Trons. The technology utilizes a front camera to brace the occupants of the vehicle in the case of an anticipated collision. Audi's convenience plus package, which includes active lane assist, a surround vision camera system, and adaptive cruise control, is available as an option.
Genesis GV80
The new Genesis GV80 is the only car in its class to be named a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and get a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Not only that, but a comprehensive array of driver assistance technologies is included as standard. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and forward collision avoidance are all features that contribute to this premium SUV's safety.
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