The Safest Cars & SUVS To Survive A Crash In 2026
What are the safest cars to survive a crash? We know this can be a challenging topic to navigate if you're in the market for a safe vehicle, so we've compiled a guide detailing this year's IIHS award winners to help you find one that checks all your boxes. These models, which perform particularly well when tested for collision conditions, are standouts in the automotive industry thanks to their IIHS standing. When you're ready to find an SUV, truck, or sedan that suits you, the Braman Collision Center team can help direct you in the right direction.
What Are The Safest Cars & SUVs To Survive a Crash in 2026?
Searching for the safest cars to survive a crash is made easier thanks to third-party institutions like the IIHS, J.D. Power, and the NHTSA. These connoisseurs rank vehicles based on certain categories, but the IIHS focuses on safety, awarding these models with either the Top Safety Pick+ or a Top Safety Pick award.
The two categories have different requirements. The Top Safety Pick+ award is the strictest of the two and requires models to have a "Good" rating in Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention. These vehicles tend to handle better than others, particularly in different weather conditions, terrain, and visibility.
Here are this year's IIHS 2026 Top Safety Pick+ recipients1:
- Kia K4
- MAZDA3
- Nissan Sentra
- Toyota Prius
- Hyundai Sonata
- Toyota Camry
- Audi A5
- Audi A6 Sportback e-tron
- Genesis G80
- Genesis GV60
- Honda HR-V
- Hyundai IONIQ 5
- Hyundai Kona
- Hyundai Tucson
- Kia Sportage
- MAZDA CX-30
- MAZDA CX-50
- Subaru Forester
- Honda Passport
- Hyundai IONIQ 9
- Hyundai Palisade
- Hyundai Sante Fe
- Kia EV9
- Kia Sorento
- MAZDA CX-70
- MAZDACX-70 PHEV
- MAZDA CX-90
- MAZDA CX-90 PHEV
- Nissan Murano
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Subaru Ascent
- Subaru Outback
- Audi Q5
- Audi Q5 Sportback
- Audi A6 e-tron
- Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
- BMW X3
- BMW X5
- Genesis Electrified GV70
- Genesis GV70
- Genesis GV80
- INFINITI QX60
- Lexus NX
- Rivian R1S
- Volvo EX90
The IIHS 2026 Top Safety Pick list isn't as stringent as the Top Safety Pick+, but vehicles are still required to rank well in many ways – Small Overlap Front Test, Moderate Overlap Front Test, and Side Test to name a few. These models have earned Top Safety Pick awards this year1:
- Honda Civic Hatchback
- Hyundai Elantra
- Honda Accord
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- Buick Enclave
- Ford Explorer
- Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Volkswagen Atlas
- Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
- Lincoln Nautilus
- Mercedes-Benz GLC
- Volvo XC90
- Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid
- Audi Q7
- INFINITI QX80
- Nissan Armada
Why Do Car Safety Ratings Matter?
Safety ratings can provide more insight into how a vehicle may perform in a collision, which can be incredibly important, especially if you spend hours daily commuting. Parents of small children may find these ratings incredibly vital, since these numbers can guide you to the vehicles that are most likely to handle impact with manageable damage.
The IIHS ranks its models in several categories, including how the different parts of a vehicle perform in different types of collisions. This can help you decide which model makes the most sense for you based on your family dynamic and needs.
For example, someone who often has children or pets in the rear row might prioritize the scores given to the Side Test category. In this category, experts test the impact from a T-bone collision, which mainly affects the sides of the vehicle, to determine safety.
How You Can Pick the Safest Car
There are plenty of safe vehicles to choose from, and many have incredible technologies that'll keep you and your family out of harm's way. Because any one of them will provide a safe ride, it's important to consider the number of seats you'll need and the features you're looking for.
If you're seeking an agile ride with five seats, a Mazda3 or Nissan Sentra might suit what you need. Although a Mazda3 will likely offer a few more upscale amenities than the Nissan Sentra, the Nissan model may be more cost-effective.
Meanwhile, large families who prefer six, seven, or eight seats may want to consider a three-row SUV like the Volvo EX90 or Nissan Armada. Both SUVs offer modern technologies, agreeable interior dimensions, large cargo volume, and reliable fuel efficiency.
Which Cars Have the Best Safety Features in 2026?
You'll likely find an SUV, sedan, or truck that has plenty of these incredible safety perks. The Subaru Forester, for example, comes standard with the EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies, which includes:
- Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Departure and Sway Warning
- Pre-Collision Braking
- Automatic Emergency Steering
- Pre-Collision Throttle Management
Other automakers add a Head-Up Display to their lineups. This feature is often available as an upgrade on higher-level trim levels, and it projects all your pertinent driving data onto your windshield. With this feature, you'll never need to look away from the road to get the key information you need while traveling.
Volvo Cars models are especially interesting in the realm of safety – this automaker first invented the three-point safety restraint now found in every vehicle constructed. And this brand conducts a 100-foot Crane Test, which lifts one of their cars 100 feet into the air using a crane and drops it to help first responders learn how best to extract patients after a significant collision. Volvo models also have a host of high-tech safety features, like Oncoming Lane Mitigation and Slippery Road Alert.
Visit Braman Collision Center
Are you ready to find a safe vehicle? We may be able to connect you with one of the safest cars to survive a crash, taking into account the type of features and technologies you're looking for. Our specialists are ready to help you find a model that has performed well in IIHS testing this year. Or, if you want a pre-owned model that has performed well in the past, we can help with that too. Contact us for more details!
1Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks