The best-selling SUV in America is far from the safest ride in its segment
Americans love SUVs. After all, four of the best-selling vehicles in the country are SUVs. The Toyota RAV4 takes the top spot, outselling its closest rivals like the Honda CR-V. However, the best-selling SUV in the country doesn’t live up to its rivals in IIHS safety testing, as it failed to get a top rating from the agency.
The Toyota RAV4 might be the best-selling SUV in America, but its IIHS safety scores put it behind small SUV segment rivals
Last year, Americans bought 475,193 Toyota RAV4 SUVs. It’s an increase of 40,250 units and a nine-percent jump over 2023’s sales. As such, the RAV4 is the best-selling SUV in the country with sales figures closer to that of America’s favorite pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado.
Granted, the RAV4 has segment-dominating sales. However, the Toyota RAV4 drops the ball against many of its rivals regarding safety scores. Specifically, the RAV4 didn’t secure a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The primary reason for the missing award is RAV4’s performance in the updated side and moderate front overlap crash tests.
| Year, make, model | IIHS rating | NHTSA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 | No award | 5-star |
| 2025 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick | 5-star |
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson | Top Safety Pick+ | 5-star |
| 2025 Mazda CX-50 | Top Safety Pick+ | 5-star |
| 2025 Kia Sportage | Top Safety Pick | 5-star |
For instance, the 2025 Toyota RAV4 demonstrated heightened risk of rear passenger injuries in a crash. According to the IIHS, “head protection is inadequate and puts the head at risk of possible contact with outside objects.” Consequently, America’s best-selling SUV received a “Marginal” score in the updated moderate overlap front crashworthiness test.
On the other hand, many of the RAV4’s closest competitors managed to earn the coveted IIHS ratings. For starters, the 2025 Honda CR-V has a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, earning “Good” ratings in nearly every category. What’s more, 2025 Hyundai Tucson SUVs built after March 2024 earned the agency’s top award: the Top Safety Pick+.
