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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has announced 6its top small SUV safety picks for 2022. The vehicles selected as top safety picks have produced satisfactory results from several crash and safety tests. The automakers that sell these vehicles have bragging rights and reference the IIHS rating as another reason why consumers should choose their vehicles over competitors. Here are five of the IIHS’ top safety picks in the most competitive vehicle segment of all, the small SUV segment.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 is a 2022 IIHS top safety pick

A white 2022 Mazda CX-5 small SUV is parked.
A white 2022 Mazda CX-5 compact SUV is parked | Mazda

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 is easily one of the best small SUVs on the market today. It is more refined than many of its competitors and offers incredible value for its low price. The 2022 Mazda CX-5 starts at $25,900. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to make 187. The small SUV achieves 24 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway. The 2022 model comes standard with all-wheel drive.

The CX-5 is known for its stylish exterior and luxurious cabin. It also comes with plenty of standard tech and safety features. It includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a smart braking system. The CX-5 got a 10/10 overall score from Car and Driver.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is as safe as it is practical

A red 2022 Hyundai Tucson small SUV is parked on a parking complex.
A red 2022 Hyundai Tucson compact SUV is parked on a parking complex | Hyundai

Like the Mazda CX-5, the Tucson has been moving up in small SUV rankings in recent years. The CX-5 and Tucson challenge the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 for the best small SUV position. U.S. News & World Report ranks the Tucson as the best in its vehicle segment. The automotive publication acknowledges the CX-5 as the second-best.

The Tucson is praised for its impressive driving dynamics and spacious cabin and cargo area, but the South Korean SUV is also very safe. It includes standard safety features like driver attention warning, lane-keeping assist, and rear occupant alert.

The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport is surprisingly safe

A black Ford Bronco Sport small SUV is driving off-road.
The Ford Bronco Sport | Ford

The Ford Bronco reemerged after a long hiatus in 2021. The Bronco Sport is a smaller, more affordable Bronco that is also in very high demand. It starts at $27,415. The small SUV achieves 25 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Bronco Sport isn’t very powerful, refined, or spacious, but it does have incredible off-roading prowess. Its most capable trim, the Bronco Sport Badlands, starts at just $34,090. The small SUV comes standard with a personal safety system, an SOS post-crash alert system, and a front and second-row safety canopy.

The Mazda CX-30 is an amazing deal

A gray 2022 Mazda CX-30 small SUV is driving on the road.
The 2022 Mazda CX-30 | Mazda

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 is Mazda’s subcompact SUV model. It starts at $22,200. The subcompact SUV uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to make 186 horsepower. It gets 24 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Mazda CX-30 is one of the safest vehicles in its segment. It comes with standard safety features like brake assist, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The CX-30 is loved by consumers because of its standard tech and luxurious cabin.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue is a well-rounded, safe small SUV

A blue 2022 Nissan Rouge small SUV is driving on the road.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue starts at $24,460. It uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to make 141 horsepower. The Nissan Rogue achieves 25 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Nissan Rogue is a well-rounded small SUV model with a great cabin and excellent ride quality. It comes standard with several safety features, including hood buckling creases and safety stops, break-away engine mounts, and front and rear crumple zones.

The IIHS just made great small SUVs even better

A red Mazda CX-30 small SUV is on display.
The Mazda CX-30 | Sjoerd van der Wal/ via Getty Images

Small SUVs like the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson were already popular, but the announcement of the IIHS’ top safety picks make great small SUVs even more appealing to consumers. It’s the cherry on top that will push many consumers into making a decision to purchase one of these safe small SUVs.

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