Driving these days feels like playing a high-stakes game of bumper cars, and the last thing you need is an SUV that crumples like a paper bag at the first sign of trouble. Luckily, modern SUVs come packed with high-tech safety features, strong crash test ratings, and enough driver assistance tech to make you feel like you’ve got a co-pilot. Here are 19 of the safest family SUVs that practically double as rolling security fortresses!
Volvo XC90
When it comes to safety, Volvo is the overachieving straight-A student that makes everyone else look bad. Launched in 2002 and its second generation (since 2015), the XC90 features Volvo’s SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform. It offers three powertrains: the B5 (mild-hybrid 2.0L turbo), B6 (more powerful mild-hybrid), and the T8 Recharge (plug-in hybrid with up to 455 hp and 58 miles of electric range). And, with five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, the XC90 is the SUV equivalent of a bodyguard in a tuxedo.
Subaru Ascent
Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist system is like having an overprotective parent in the passenger seat. With adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking, the Ascent constantly watches out for you. Also, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, symmetrical AWD, and X-MODE for slippery conditions, it’s safe in various terrains. Airbags? A whopping eight. Plus, it boasts top-tier child seat compatibility with easily accessible LATCH points.
Toyota Highlander
Toyota could have called this the Toyota Fortified Bunker because the Highlander is packed with standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ features. The Highlander also has eight airbags, a rigid body structure, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims add front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera for enhanced visibility. Crash tests show excellent occupant protection, with the IIHS rating its headlights and front crash prevention system as “Superior.” And since it’s a Toyota, it’ll likely last until 2050.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is designed with safety as a priority, integrating advanced engineering and cutting-edge driver-assist features. Built on Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, the Pilot enhances crash protection by distributing impact energy evenly. It has also earned a 5-star NHTSA safety rating and was named a 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with specific headlights. Plus, with seating for eight and a smooth ride, it’s like a minivan in disguise.
Mazda CX-90
Mazda doesn’t just make pretty SUVs. It makes safe ones, too. The CX-90’s standard front crash prevention system achieved superior ratings in daytime and nighttime pedestrian detection scenarios. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with acceptable or good-rated LED projector headlights across all trims, enhancing nighttime visibility. Plus, the CX-90 boasts i-Activsense safety tech, strong crash test ratings, and an elegant design that’ll make you feel like you’re driving a luxury vehicle (without the luxury price tag).
Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade is a midsize, three-row SUV that debuted in 2018 as Hyundai’s flagship SUV. It includes Hyundai SmartSense, which has adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring. Cargo space reaches 86.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Also, the Calligraphy trim adds quilted leather and exclusive styling. Fuel economy is 19–26 mpg (FWD). It even rivals the Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot, offering a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, the best in its class. All in all, it’s a solid choice for families needing space, comfort, and value.
Kia Telluride
The Telluride is stylish and safe. Praised for its premium interior, it features Nappa leather, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and advanced driver-assistance tech, including Highway Driving Assist. It also boasts excellent safety ratings, earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. With a starting price of around $37,000, it undercuts luxury rivals like the BMW X5 while offering a near-luxury experience. Plus, it has a camera system that makes you feel like you have eyes in the back of your head.
Ford Explorer
Ford didn’t hold back on safety with the Explorer. Currently in its sixth generation (2020–present), it features a rear-wheel-drive-based platform for better handling and towing. Engine options include a 2.3L turbocharged I4 (300 hp), a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 (400 hp in the ST trim), and a 3.3L hybrid V6 (318 hp). The Explorer also boasts a max towing capacity of 5,600 lbs. and offers trims ranging from the base XLT to the luxury-focused Platinum and performance-oriented ST. This SUV is designed to keep your family secure wherever you roam.
Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevy Traverse may be big, but its safety tech is even bigger. It seats up to 8 passengers, has 98 cu-ft of cargo space, and is the top competitor to most rivals like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. Tech includes a 17.7-inch touchscreen, Super Cruise (hands-free driving on highways), and standard Chevy Safety Assist. Also, the ZR2 trim debuts for off-road enthusiasts, adding all-terrain tires and an advanced AWD system. And, with a starting price of around $39,000, it remains a value-packed SUV in its class.
Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave is like that classy uncle who wears designer suits but secretly loves off-road camping. Since its debut in 2008, this three-row luxury SUV has balanced comfort, performance, and just the right amount of swagger. Under the hood, the latest model packs a 3.6L V6 engine pushing 310 horsepower, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission: Enough power to get the kids to soccer practice faster than you intended. And with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs., it can haul a decent-sized boat.
Volkswagen Atlas
The Volkswagen Atlas is Germany’s idea of an American SUV: Big, bold, and built for road trips that involve at least one gas station hot dog. It tows up to 5,000 lbs., perfect for boats and trailers. Tech-wise, it flaunts a 12-inch infotainment screen, digital cockpit, and enough driver assists to make you feel like a VIP. Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, it blends German engineering with Southern charm. But beware: Its size makes parking an extreme sport. So, if you need a big, comfy hauler without minivan shame, the Atlas is your ride.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is like that adventurous uncle who still wears cargo shorts: Rugged, spacious, and always ready for a road trip. Introduced in 1985, this midsize SUV started as a two-door off-roader before evolving into a full-fledged family hauler. It has seen multiple makeovers, shifting from body-on-frame toughness to car-like unibody comfort and back again in 2022. Engine options range from reliable V6s to powerful V8s (briefly) and even hybrid experiments nobody remembers. It also has a strong safety structure and excellent crash ratings.
Lexus RX
The Lexus RX isn’t just a luxury SUV. With a 5-star NHTSA rating and Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, this thing is designed to keep you safer than a bubble-wrapped marshmallow. The RX also packs Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian detection. Essentially, It’s like having an AI bodyguard in the front seat.
Genesis GV80
Genesis is making waves with its high-end SUVs, and the GV80 is a fortress on wheels. The Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) has a PhD in accident prevention, with features like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance, and Highway Driving Assist, which is like cruise control but with brains. Also, the reinforced chassis and ultra-high-strength steel frame mean it’s built tougher than your neighbor’s opinions. In short, the GV80 wraps you in luxury and safety, so you can enjoy the drive without white-knuckling the wheel.
Acura MDX
The Acura MDX is a three-row beast that earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and is a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS (because “plus” means extra safe). The MDX also has a rigid Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure designed to absorb crash energy like a sponge (but, you know, a high-tech sponge). Add a dozen airbags, pedestrian detection, and traffic sign recognition, and you’ve got a luxury SUV that’s your overprotective mom in vehicle form.
Mercedes-Benz GLE
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is like the luxury SUV that went to finishing school and aced every subject. Inside, it’s a tech paradise: Two 12.3-inch displays, an MBUX voice assistant that actually listens (unlike your kids), and seats so plush, you’ll wonder if they’re made of clouds. The AIRMATIC suspension makes potholes disappear, while the optional E-Active Body Control lets the SUV dance. Luxury, power, and tech!
BMW X5
The BMW X5, aka the Bavarian Hulk, is a luxury SUV that has been flexing its muscles since 1999. It was BMW’s first “Sports Activity Vehicle” (SAV) because, apparently, “SUV” was too mainstream. Plus, designed for both highways and mud puddles, it combines German engineering precision with an attitude that says, “Yes, I have a mortgage, but I still enjoy the adrenaline.”. It’s smart, stylish, and seriously secure. Whether at a country club or a campsite, this Beemer screams, “I like comfort, but I also like chaos.”
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a luxury SUV big enough to carry your family, dog, and existential crisis. It comes with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive, meaning you could probably survive a zombie apocalypse—if the gas stations stay open. Inside, you get a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit, premium leather seats, and tech so advanced it might judge your taste in music. Fuel economy? Well, let’s say it’s not a Prius. But it makes up for that with a 7,700 lb towing capacity, so you can drag your regrets behind you.
Tesla Model X
The Tesla Model X is ridiculously safe. This all-electric SUV scored five stars in every NHTSA category, making it one of the safest SUVs ever. Why? First, its low center of gravity (thanks, battery pack!) means it’s nearly impossible to flip—unlike your uncle’s old pickup. Second, its crumple zones are massive since there’s no bulky engine hogging space. Third, Tesla’s Autopilot and active safety features (like automatic emergency braking) help you avoid accidents before they even happen. Plus, it has Falcon Wing doors, which makes it cool and safe.
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