Safety is a paramount concern when choosing a sports utility vehicle, especially when they’re often transporting our most important cargo: our families. Evaluating ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and weighing available safety features and driver-assistance technologies are the best ways to identify the safest luxury SUV models. There are several reasonably priced luxury SUVs, one of which is a safety leader, the Volvo.
Volvo, a Swedish automaker owned by Geely since 2010 and headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, was founded in 1927. The brand has become a premium automaker known for safety. Volvo famously gave away free access to the patent for the three-point seatbelt in 1959, thus saving countless lives. Volvo has remained at the forefront of safety tech, setting a goal in 2007 that by 2020, no one would be killed or seriously harmed in a Volvo. Today, that mission has evolved to encompass avoiding all collisions in a Volvo. Interestingly, Volvo was an early adopter of EV technology and had planned to go all-electric by 2030, but recently updated this deadline, aiming for a 90–100% electric or plug-in hybrid goal.
This article compiles a list of the safest luxury SUV models in the USA for the 2025 model year. This list focuses on which SUVs won the Top Safety Pick+ Award from IIHS – the agency’s most prized safety award for exceptional safety standards. All information regarding the vehicles has been sourced from IIHS and the relevant manufacturers. The list is in no particular order.
Infiniti QX60
One of the safest luxury SUVs on the market is the Infiniti QX60. The Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 were redesigned for the 2022 model year, sharing the same chassis and components. The IIHS used the Pathfinder when testing some crashes. The QX60 is rated Good in nearly all measures. In crashworthiness, the small overlap front, original moderate overlap front, and side crash tests were rated Good, while the updated overlap front crash test was rated Acceptable. In the test with an Acceptable rating, driver injuries were all rated good, and the rear passengers were rated Acceptable for injuries in the head, neck, and chest areas. The car’s LED headlights are rated Good.
Acura MDX
The next safest luxury SUV is the Acura MDX. Compared to the Infiniti QX60, the Acura MDX is sportier overall and even includes a Type S trim level with a more powerful engine. After a one-year absence from the market, the MDX was redesigned for the 2022 model year, which is the version the IIHS tested. The MDX earned Good scores for the small overlap front, original moderate overlap front, and updated side tests in terms of crashworthiness, but the updated moderate overlap front test came back as Acceptable. Overall, the MDX earned Good scores in most areas except for seat belt reminders, which earned a Poor score for its initiation time and alert volume. The Acura MDX also includes a slew of driver-assistance features, which, along with a comfortable and spacious interior, combine to create an ideal family SUV.
BMW X5
The BMW X5 strikes a balance between luxury and sportiness. The IIHS tests refer to models from 2019–2025, since the car was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The BMW X5 earned Good scores across the board in all four crash test categories. The only noteworthy metric is that the score for rear passenger restraints and dummy kinetics is rated Acceptable. The X5’s headlights received an Acceptable score because testers noted some glare when using the low beams.
Genesis GV60
The Genesis GV60, though one of the smaller models on this list, still performs well in the IIHS testing. Introduced in 2023, the GV60 is a luxury version of the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The GV60 scored Good nearly across the board, with the LATCH ease of use being the only Acceptable score. Delving deeper, there’s potential for injuries to the driver’s leg and foot in the small overlap front test, and the driver’s head/neck and torso in the updated side impact test. Other concerns include the low-beam headlights having some glare, and the LATCH system had anchors that were too deep in the seat. Still, the GV60 proved safe enough for the highest safety rating.
Genesis GV70 & Electrified GV70
Both the Genesis GV70 and its electrified version are two of the safest SUVs available. Testing for both yielded nearly identical results, so they’re included together here. Based on the GV80, the GV70 is a smaller, lighter version. These ratings apply to models built after April 2024. Crash tests yielded Good results in almost all areas except for the lower leg and foot measure of the driver’s side small overlap front test and the rear passenger chest injury measure in the updated moderate overlap front test. The front crash prevention system scored Acceptable.
Genesis GV80
A few years ago, a Genesis GV80 was involved in a terrible crash that Tiger Woods survived. The passenger compartment remained largely intact, demonstrating the vehicle’s strong crash structure. The crash test scores for the GV80 remain excellent as of 2025. The vehicle was first put on the market in 2021 and has not been updated since. The IIHS used a 2021 GV80 2.5T as a test subject. This Genesis earned Good scores in all four crash tests. The only measure to earn less than Good is the potential for a pelvis injury to a rear passenger in the updated side impact test, which earned an Acceptable score. Other notable metrics with Acceptable ratings include the headlights, front crash prevention system for pedestrians, and LATCH ease of use. The GV80’s main focus is on passenger comfort, including a calm, relaxed, and composed ride.
Lexus NX
The Lexus NX is noted for its mix of Toyota reliability and soft, comfort-focused handling. For the 2022 model year, the regular NX was redesigned, and Lexus introduced a hybrid version, which forms the basis of the IIHS’s tests. The NX received Good scores in three out of the four crash tests, but the updated moderate overlap front test scored Acceptable. The rear passenger restraints and dummy kinetics earned a Marginal score. Other details to note include the driver’s pelvis and rear passenger head protection in the updated side crash test, which both scored Acceptable.
Lincoln Nautilus
The Lincoln Nautilus nearly achieved perfect scores, with Good ratings in nearly every category. Redesigned for the 2024 model year, the Nautilus was tested by the IIHS using the latest model. The only test performed by Ford was the driver-side front overlap test. Across all tests, the Nautilus earned Good scores overall. The only metric to receive a score below Good is the driver restraints/dummy kinematics measure during the small overlap front test, which earned an Acceptable score.
Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is another luxurious SUV that earned Good safety scores on nearly all measures. The GLC-Class was redesigned for the 2023 model year, and all tests were conducted with a 2024 model. Every crash test earned an overall Good score. The standard pedestrian front crash prevention system earned an Acceptable score, while the optional system managed to avoid a collision in five out of six instances.
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is another safe SUV. While the coupe version of the GLE is now available in a trim below the AMG model, test results focus on the SUV. Redesigned for the 2024 model year, the IIHS used a model from that year in its tests. All crash tests received Good scores overall, with some detailed measures earning Acceptable scores. The GLE’s front crash prevention system for pedestrians is where it falls short. The standard system with active brake assist was given a Marginal score. The optional system with cross-traffic function did slightly better, earning an Acceptable rating.
Rivian R1S
The Rivian R1S is among the largest electric SUVs. The R1S scored nearly perfectly in the IIHS’s testing. In all crash tests, the R1S earned Good scores, with the possibility of a driver’s leg/foot injury in the updated moderate overlap front crash being the only detailed measure to receive an Acceptable score. Otherwise, the Rivian R1S’s headlights were given an Acceptable score for the low beams having some glare.
Volvo XC90
Volvos have long been recognized for their safety, and the Volvo XC90 is a luxury SUV that follows suit. Other than some design, feature, and powertrain upgrades, the XC90 hasn’t been significantly updated since 2016. The IIHS used an XC90 T6 Momentum for these tests. The SUV earned Good marks across the board in all four crash tests, with only a couple of detailed measures receiving Acceptable scores. The headlights earned only an Acceptable overall rating due to inadequate visibility on the left curves. The pedestrian front crash prevention system received an Acceptable rating due to avoiding collisions in only two out of six tests, failing to reduce the impact speed enough in the remaining tests.
Which of the safest luxury SUVs scored the highest from the IIHS?
The midsize luxury SUV segment yields good safety ratings, with cars like the Lincoln Nautilus, Genesis GV70, Volvo XC90, and BMW X5 as cars earning the Top Safety Pick+ award. To qualify for this award, vehicles must score full marks in all tests, with an allowance for ‘Acceptable’ in terms of headlights only.
Are there any safe luxury SUV models priced under $50k?
The Lexus NX is priced around $42k, while Genesis offers the GV70 around $46k. The Infiniti QX60 and Acura MDX start just above the $50k mark.
What is the biggest and most expensive premium SUV with a safety award in the US?
At the time of writing, the Volvo XC90 and its plug-in variant scored the Top Safety Pick+ award. Being on the bigger side, the XC90 costs quite a bit more, with a starting MSRP of over $58k for the gas model and $72k for the PHEV range. The Genesis GV80 is also larger and will require an outlay of at least $59k to start. However, the most expensive SUV listed is the Rivian R1S, which starts just under $78k.
