What Are the Safest SUVs for Growing Families in 2026?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its Top Safety Picks for 2026. Of the 45 winners, 13 models were mid-size SUVs.
These award-winning midsize SUVs have undergone multiple crash tests to determine how well the vehicles will hold up in different crash scenarios. Safety features were also tested to determine if they would work and how effective they were in preventing and mitigating crashes.
Here are the winners and which brands stand out among the 13 safest SUVs in 2026.
These midsize SUVs are IIHS Top Safety Picks for 2026
Japanese and South Korean midsize SUVs dominate the Insurance Institute for Top Safety Picks for 2026. SUVs use a mix of gas, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains.
IIHS Midsize SUV Top Safety Picks
- Honda Passport
- Hyundai Ioniq 9
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- EV9
- Kia Sorento (built after September 2025)
- Mazda CX-70
- Mazda CX-70 PHEV
- Mazda CX-90
- Mazda CX-90 PHEV
- Nissan Murano
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Subaru Ascent
- Subaru Outback
One of the most attractive mid-size SUVs among the range of new mid-size SUVs is the Subaru Outback. Subaru has sold more than 157,000 Outback models by 2025, according to a sales report. The Japanese automaker was also named one of the most reliable car brands (second only to Toyota) by Consumer Reports.
Another prominent model on the list of the safest new mid-size SUVs in 2026 is the Hyundai Santa Fe. Hyundai has sold more than 142,000 units of the Santa Fe by 2025, sales data shows. The newly redesigned Santa Fe has “excellent safety scores” and the most standard safety technologies for 2026, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Who Should Get a New Midsize SUV in 2026?
New midsize SUVs are best for families that need more cabin and cargo space than popular small SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V can provide. Midsize SUVs usually have family-friendly layouts that prioritize open seats and enough space for the entire family.
The new midsize SUVs also come with a host of standard driver assistance and safety features that make driving safer and easier. IIHS-listed models all include crash avoidance and mitigation features that can keep drivers and occupants safe.
How Much Will a Midsize Midsize SUV Cost in 2026?
Several of the safest new SUVs have “low prices under $40,000” says the IIHS. New midsize SUVs for 2026 can cost anywhere from about $35,000 and up to $55,000 and up depending on the model, trim and segment. Final trim models can be expensive, but they provide adequate value in certain situations due to a long list of features.
If you’re looking for a new midsize SUV in 2026, there are a few best-selling and popular models on the market like the Subaru Outback ($34,995) that offer great value.
You don’t have to break the bank to own a safe and attractive midsize SUV in 2026.
Charles Singh is the Autos Connect Reporter for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY network. Contact him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which midsize SUVs are the safest for growing families in 2026?
Reporting by Charles Singh, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
