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The best small new SUVs are super safe, which is no surprise. That’s because safety is one of the most valued attributes in a new vehicle. While some of the new 2022 SUVs on iSeeCars’ list of the best Small SUVs for 2022 have perfect safety ratings, others have very good or average. Here is what to expect from the safety scores in new small SUVs.

Rear view of red 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, highlighting its release date and price
2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe | Jeep

1. The 2022 Jeep Wrangler is number one but lacks safety data

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler is the number one small SUV, yet there was no safety data available for the Jeep Wrangler when iSeeCars compiled this list, and the safety data that is available now is less-than-perfect. The 2022 Jeep Wrangler was tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and its safety scores aren’t exactly perfect. In fact, its small overlap crash test rating is marginal, which is the second-lowest score a vehicle can get. In addition, the updated side crash test is also marginal, and the headlight ratings are marginal and poor, with no good options available. This is important because more than half of fatal car crashes happen in the dark.

2023 Jeep Wrangler with Reign paint | Jeep

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also crash-tested the Jeep Wrangler. The 2022 Jeep Wrangler with 4WD has four out of five stars for all of the frontal crash ratings, including overall front, front driver side, and front passenger side. The side crash tests weren’t performed on the Wrangler. The rollover rating is just three out of five stars.

Still, the Jeep Wrangler does have an overall rating of 9.2. This includes a reliability rating of 8.5 and an excellent value retention score of 9.8. Those two scores alone put the Wrangler at number one.

2. The 2022 Subaru Outback has a perfect safety rating

One of the best parts about the 2022 Subaru Outback is that it has perfect safety ratings. It gets a 10.0 for safety. The 2022 Subaru Outback has an overall rating of 8.8. This includes a reliability rating of 8.4 and a value retention score of 8.0.

3. The 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited also lacks safety data

Just like its Wrangler sibling, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited doesn’t have any safety data. It does, however, have an overall rating is an 8.8. This includes a reliability rating of just 7.8 and a value retention score of 9.8.

4. The 2022 Subaru Forester is the second SUV with perfect safety ratings

Like the 2022 Subaru Outback, the 2022 Subaru Forester has a perfect safety rating. It also has an overall rating of 8.7. This includes a reliability rating of 8.1 and a value retention score of 8.1

5. The 2022 Honda CR-V has a great safety score

The 2022 Honda CR-V may not have a perfect safety score, but its rating is pretty high, at a 9.0. It also has an overall score of 8.6 and a reliability rating of 8.5. It also has a value retention score of 8.3

6. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling SUV

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling SUV in the country. Still, it isn’t number one. It has an overall score of 8.5, a reliability rating of 8.0, and a value retention score of 8.5. It also has a safety rating of 9.0.

7. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson has perfect safety scores

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is another small SUV with a perfect safety score of 10.0. This is part of its overall score of 8.4. However, its reliability rating is only a 7.5 and its value retention score is 7.8.

8. The 2022 Mazda CX-5 has a nearly perfect safety rating

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 is a great small SUV. It has an overall score of 8.3. Included in this is a reliability rating of 7.2, a value retention score of 8.0, and a nearly-perfect safety rating of 9.9.

9. The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is very safe

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is a small SUV with an overall score of 8.1 and a reliability rating of 7.7. It also has a value retention score of 7.1 and a safety score of 9.6.

10. The 2022 Kia Sportage is a small SUV with solid ratings

The 2022 Kia Sportage comes with an overall rating of 8.1 as well as a reliability rating of 7.6. In addition, its value retention score if 7.6 and its safety score if 9.0.

If you’re in the market for one of the best small SUVs you can buy, you should take a look at the safety scores of any of these SUVs. While both the 2022 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited are lacking safety scores, the rest of the SUVs on this list have decent safety ratings and are worth consideration.

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