: A perennial winner of the IIHS Top Safety Pick award, often equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist).

: A top choice for winter driving due to its high ground clearance and excellent crash-test ratings.

: Offers a strong reliability record and has earned high safety grades in recent years. Best Used SUVs for Safety & Reliability

: Consistently ranked as one of the safest compact SUVs, featuring standard blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking.

: A consistent "safe bet" in the three-row segment, featuring lane departure warnings and pre-collision braking.

These models are praised for their crash-test performance and standard driver-assistance tech like automatic emergency braking.

When shopping for a used SUV in 2026, the safest options are those that have consistently earned high marks from the and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) . Reliability also plays a key role in safety, as a dependable vehicle is less likely to leave you stranded in dangerous situations. Top Small & Compact SUVs