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Whether you’ve got small children or teenagers, you want to keep your family safe on the road. Many drivers believe that SUVs are safer than cars because of the larger size of the vehicles. While that might be partially true, it’s still important to find the right vehicle that gives you the feeling of confidence and security on the road. With that in mind, let’s dive into the safest new SUVs for families to drive.

Blended results bring us to these SUVs

The 2022 Acura MDX is one of the safest SUVs for families to drive
2022 Acura MDX | Acura

Rather than offer the complete list of IIHS and NHTSA safety scores, U. S. News & World Report compiled a list by combining these two crash-testing organizations. This gives us a strong list of the safest SUVs for families, which are:

  • Hyundai Tucson
  • Ford Bronco Sport
  • Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
  • Tesla Model Y
  • Buick Enclave
  • Nissan Murano
  • Mitsubishi Outlander
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E
  • Toyota RAV4 Prime
  • Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
  • Genesis GV70
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge
  • Infiniti QX60
  • Acura MDX

All of these SUVs received top marks for safety scores from both organizations.

Another expert publication weighs in on safety

A blue 2022 Hyundai Palisade.
2022 Hyundai Palisade | Hyundai

The list from U.S. News is relatively comprehensive, with 14 models to consider, but MotorTrend offers us a little more. This list offers only SUVs that receive the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA. With these criteria in mind, the safe SUVs offered are:

  • Acura RDX
  • Audi E-Tron/E-Tron Sportback
  • Audi Q5/Q5 Sportback
  • Cadillac XT6
  • Chevrolet Trailblazer
  • Ford Bronco Sport
  • Genesis GV80
  • Hyundai Palisade
  • Mazda CX-5
  • Mazda CX-9
  • Mercedes-Benz GLE
  • Mazda CX-30
  • Nissan Murano
  • Subaru Ascent
  • Tesla Model Y
  • Toyota Highlander
  • Volvo XC90/XC90 Recharge

That’s odd; why would these two lists be so different? Maybe we need to look at one more list to see what we can learn.

Turning to Consumer Reports for the safest SUVs for families to enjoy

A blue 2022 Hyundai Tucson small plug-in hybrid SUV is parked outside.
2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV | Hyundai

Our third expert is Consumer Reports, and the list offered is even more extensive than the first two.

Small SUVs

  • Chevrolet Trailblazer
  • Ford Bronco Sport
  • Hyundai Tucson
  • Mazda CX-5
  • Mazda CX-30
  • Mitsubishi Outlander
  • Nissan Rogue
  • Volvo C40 Recharge
  • Volvo XC40/XC40 Recharge

Midsize SUVs

  • Ford Explorer
  • Hyundai Palisade
  • Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Mazda CX-9
  • Nissan Murano
  • Subaru Ascent
  • Toyota Highlander
  • Volkswagen ID.4

Midsize Luxury SUVs

  • Acura MDX
  • Acura RDX
  • Audi Q5/Q5 Sportback
  • Cadillac XT6
  • Genesis GV70
  • Genesis GV80
  • Hyundai Nexo
  • Mercedes-Benz GLE
  • Tesla Model Y
  • Volvo XC60/XC60 Recharge
  • Volvo XC90/XC90 Recharge

Large SUVs

  • Audi E-Tron/E-Tron Sportback

That clears things up. The Consumer Reports list appears to mostly be a combination of the lists from U.S. News and the MotorTrend. This gives you a great place to begin looking for one of the safest SUVs for families to drive, but you might want a little more information.

Which SUV is safest in a crash?

Front angle view of Lunar Silver Metallic 2022 Honda CR-V
Lunar Silver Metallic 2022 Honda CR-V | Honda

The safety ratings offered by IIHS and NHTSA don’t only consider crash tests. These ratings also involve safety equipment found on the vehicles. By breaking out the crash test scores, Autobytel offers the safest SUVs in crashes, which are:

  • Acura RDX
  • BMW X3
  • Buick Enclave
  • Ford Expedition
  • Honda CR-V
  • Hyundai Tucson
  • Kia Sorento
  • Lincoln MKX
  • Subaru Forester
  • Volvo XC60

This list involves SUVs from the 2017 model year.

What are the safest SUVs for kids?

2022 Toyota RAV4 Off Road in white driving on a road
2022 Toyota RAV4 Off Road in white driving on a road. | Toyota

Another concern for a family is whether or not the infant car seats and booster seats will function properly in the SUV they drive. With that in mind, Autobytel offers the safest SUVs for kids from the 2017 model year:

  • Honda CR-V
  • Nissan Rogue
  • Mazda CX-5
  • Subaru Forester
  • Toyota Highlander
  • Nissan Pathfinder
  • Honda Pilot
  • Mazda CX-9
  • Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Toyota RAV4

What you see here are several names you know and see on the roads every day.

What SUV rolls over the most?

Another concern you might have with an SUV is whether or not it will roll over. SUVs are more prone to rolling over than other vehicles because of their higher stance and large sides. The vehicles reported to be most prone to rolling over are:

  • Cadillac Escalade
  • Chevrolet Tahoe
  • Jeep Renegade
  • Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
  • Toyota 4Runner
  •  GMC Yukon
  • Hyundai Accent
  • Dodge Nitro
  • Honda Element
  • Nissan NV3500

Not all of these are SUVs, but the SUVs on the list are some of the largest models offered.

One of the safest SUVs for families to drive is what you need

Armed with several lists of vehicles that are safe to drive and a few that you might want to avoid, you can check the safety box during your search for the right SUV to drive and enjoy. Which of the many safe SUVs will be the one you use to take your family out for your time together?

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