There’s a lot to consider when shopping for your next new car – price, features, style – but one of the most important factors for many San Francisco drivers is safety. When you’re choosing a new SUV, you want to ensure that you, your passengers, and your cargo remain safe and secure wherever the road may take you. Cartelligent is here to help you find the SUV with the best safety rating that works for both your Orange County lifestyle and your budget. Read our list of SUVs with the best safety ratings for the 2024 model year below to find a model that sparks your interest.
Finding the Best SUV Safety Rating Criteria
In compiling this list, the experts at Cartelligent chose to use one of the most respected institutions for safety: the IIHS. The IIHS, or Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, is an independent, nonprofit educational and scientific organization committed to evaluating vehicles for consumer safety. Every year, they release safety ratings for vehicles based on rigorous standards, awarding the safest vehicles their Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards.
For this list, Cartelligent has chosen the 2024 Top Safety Pick+ award winners, which are graded on their performance in crash tests, safety systems, and functioning safety equipment.
Small SUVs
Small SUVs, sometimes called compact SUVs, often have a smaller overall footprint than standard SUVs and typically seat up to five passengers. The small SUVs on this list have been awarded the 2024 Top Safety Pick+ award, and some, like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 have won multiple years in a row, making them great choices for San Jose drivers:
- 2024 Honda HR-V
- 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5
- 2024 Hyundai Kona
- 2024 Hyundai Tucson
- 2024 Mazda CX-30 (under $30,000)
Midsize SUVs
Midsize SUVs are a step up from the small SUV category, with seating for five to seven and more expansive cargo space available. These SUVs often come with more features and capability than their small SUV counterparts, ready for both a night in Los Angeles and a mountain trail adventure. Some of these models, like the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, and Mazda CX-90, are multiple-year award winners, giving you peace of mind for the road ahead:
- 2024 Ford Explorer
- 2025 Honda Pilot
- 2024 Kia Telluride
- 2024 Mazda CX-90 & CX-90 PHEV
- 2024 Nissan Pathfinder
- 2024 Subaru Ascent
Midsize Luxury SUVs
If you’re a Walnut Creek driver who prefers more premium features and overall luxury, then a midsize luxury SUV may be right for you. Nearly all the models on this list are multi-year winners, making any of these models a great choice for a more refined, safe driving experience:
- 2024 Acura MDX
- 2024 BMW X3
- 2025 BMW X5
- 2024 Lexus NX
- 2024 Lincoln Nautilus
- 2024 Mercedes Benz GLE
Find Your Next SUV With Cartelligent!
Have you found the SUV with the best safety rating that works for you? Then get started with an advisor at Cartelligent today and put yourself on the path to the vehicle with the best SUV safety rating for you! For more information about how Cartelligent can simplify your car-buying experience, read our FAQs and see how easy buying your next SUV can be.