74 of the tracked model-years are sport utilities. Ranked by NHTSA overall rating — with complaint counts breaking ties — the table below shows how the class performs. Rollover resistance is the test that separates SUVs: taller vehicles are intrinsically more rollover-prone, and the four-star rollover scores common here are the main reason more SUVs do not reach five stars overall.
| Model-Year | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Chevrolet Equinox | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 100 |
| 2023 Ford Escape | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 101 |
| 2023 Ford Explorer | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 111 |
| 2015 Mazda CX-5 | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 133 |
| 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan | 5 ★ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 144 |
| 2023 Toyota Highlander | 5 ★ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 189 |
| 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan | 5 ★ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 194 |
| 2017 Toyota Highlander | 5 ★ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 271 |
| 2020 Tesla Model Y | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 5 | 283 |
| 2019 Subaru Crosstrek | 5 ★ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 285 |
| 2013 Subaru Outback | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 297 |
| 2021 Subaru Outback | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 298 |
| 2019 Ford Explorer | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 299 |
| 2019 Chevrolet Equinox | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 306 |
| 2017 Toyota RAV4 | 5 ★ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 307 |
| 2021 Honda CR-V | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 338 |
| 2021 Ford Escape | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 351 |
| 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 364 |
| 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 5 ★ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 370 |
| 2019 Kia Sorento | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 433 |
| 2021 Ford Explorer | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 447 |
| 2019 Toyota Highlander | 5 ★ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 502 |
| 2015 Subaru Outback | 5 ★ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 509 |
| 2023 Honda CR-V | 5 ★ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 517 |
| 2021 Toyota Highlander | 5 ★ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 533 |
Ratings apply to the tested variant named on each page. Where an SUV is sold in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive forms, NHTSA may rate both, and the scores can differ — check the variant list on the vehicle page for the exact configuration. Inside this class, 1 of 74 model-years hold a five-star rollover score and 67 hold five stars for side impact — side performance is now near-universal at the top of the class, so frontal passenger scores and rollover resistance are where a shortlist should be decided.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest SUV here?
By NHTSA overall rating and then fewest complaints, the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox leads the tracked SUVs with a 5-star overall score.
Why do SUVs score lower on rollover?
Rollover rating reflects the vehicle's measured resistance to tipping in a single-vehicle crash. Higher ride height raises the centre of gravity, so SUVs and trucks commonly score four stars where cars score five.
Are these ratings for the current model year?
No — they are the ratings NHTSA published for each model-year listed, from the data accessed in October 2026. Ratings are specific to the year and variant tested.