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 mid-size SUV winners were subjected to a number of crash tests to determine how the vehicles would hold up in various crash scenarios. Safety features were also tested to determine whether they would work and how effective they were at preventing and reducing accidents.
Here are the winners and which models are among the 13 safest 2026 midsize SUVs.
These midsize SUVs are IIHS’s top safety picks for 2026
Japanese and South Korean midsize SUVs dominate the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s top safety picks for 2026. SUVs use a mix of gas, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains.
IIHS Midsize SUV Top Safety Pick
- honda passport
- Hyundai Ioniq 9
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Kia EV9
- Kia Sorento (manufactured after September 2025)
- Mazda CX-70
- Mazda CX-70 PHEV
- Mazda CX-90
- Mazda CX-90 PHEV
- nissan murano
- nissan pathfinder
- subaru climb
- subaru outback
One of the most attractive midsize SUV options in the list of safest new midsize SUVs is the Subaru Outback. According to a sales report, Subaru will sell more than 157,000 Outback models in 2025. The Japanese automaker was named one of the most reliable car brands (second only to Toyota) by Consumer Reports.
Another standout model listed among the safest new midsize SUVs for 2026 is the Hyundai Santa Fe. According to sales figures, Hyundai will sell more than 142,000 Santa Fe units in 2025. According to Kelley Blue Book, the recently redesigned Santa Fe has “excellent safety scores” and even more standard safety technology for the 2026 model year.
Who should get the new midsize SUV in 2026?
The 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. Mid-size SUVs typically have family-friendly layouts that prioritize spacious seating space and ample trunk space for the entire family.
The new mid-size SUVs come with a number of great standard driver assistance and safety features that make driving safer and more convenient. All models listed by IIHS include crash prevention and mitigation features that can keep drivers and passengers safe.
How much does a new midsize SUV cost in 2026?
IIHS says many of the safest new SUVs have a “base price under $40,000.” The price of the new midsize SUV for 2026 could range from around $35,000 to $55,000 and above, depending on the model, trim and segment. Final trim models can be expensive, but they provide adequate value in some cases due to the long standard features list.
If you’re looking for a new midsize SUV in 2026, there are several best-selling and popular models on the market that offer great value, like the Subaru Outback ($34,995).
You don’t need to break the bank to buy a safe and overall attractive midsize SUV in 2026.
Charles Singh is an Autos Connect reporter for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at (email protected)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What are the safest midsize SUVs for growing families in 2026?
Reporting by Charles Singh, USA TODAY/USA TODAY
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