{"id":2185,"date":"2026-03-25T04:53:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T08:53:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salaryfor.com\/blog\/?p=2185"},"modified":"2026-04-07T07:55:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T11:55:56","slug":"2026-iihs-top-safety-pick-vehicles-the-safest-cars-you-can-buy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/2026-iihs-top-safety-pick-vehicles-the-safest-cars-you-can-buy\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Vehicles: The Safest Cars You Can Buy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>By <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/\">SalaryFor.com &#8211; real salaries for all professions<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Top Safety Pick+<\/strong> designation from the IIHS represents the highest level of crash protection and crash avoidance performance. For 2026, stricter standards\u2014especially for rear-seat safety\u2014mean fewer vehicles qualify, making this list especially meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Small SUVs (2026 TSP+ Winners)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>These compact crossovers balance affordability and top safety scores:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Honda HR-V \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$25,000\u2013$30,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hyundai Kona \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$24,000\u2013$32,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kia Sportage \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$27,000\u2013$38,000<\/strong> <em>(built after May 2025)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mazda CX-30 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$27,000\u2013$35,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mazda CX-50 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$31,000\u2013$43,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subaru Forester \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$28,000\u2013$38,000<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Midsize SUVs (2026 TSP+ Winners)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>A highly competitive category with strong family appeal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ford Explorer \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$38,000\u2013$55,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ford Mustang Mach-E \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$40,000\u2013$60,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mazda CX-70 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$40,000\u2013$50,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mazda CX-90 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$40,000\u2013$55,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mazda CX-90 PHEV \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$49,000\u2013$60,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mazda CX-70 PHEV \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$47,000\u2013$58,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hyundai Santa Fe \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$35,000\u2013$48,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kia Sorento \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$31,000\u2013$46,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nissan Murano \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$38,000\u2013$50,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nissan Pathfinder \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$37,000\u2013$50,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Volkswagen Atlas \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$38,000\u2013$52,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$37,000\u2013$51,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Buick Enclave \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$45,000\u2013$60,000<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Luxury &amp; Premium SUVs (2026 TSP+ Winners)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>These vehicles combine top safety scores with high-end features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Acura ADX \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$35,000\u2013$45,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Genesis GV60 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$52,000\u2013$70,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Genesis GV70 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$45,000\u2013$65,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Genesis GV80 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$59,000\u2013$75,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Infiniti QX60 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$50,000\u2013$65,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lexus NX \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$41,000\u2013$60,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lincoln Nautilus \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$51,000\u2013$75,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mercedes-Benz GLC \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$48,000\u2013$65,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$63,000\u2013$90,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Volvo XC90 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$62,000\u2013$80,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Volvo EX90 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$75,000\u2013$90,000<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Electric Vehicles (EVs) with TSP+<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>EVs continue to perform well in safety testing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hyundai Ioniq 5 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$36,000\u2013$50,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hyundai Ioniq 9 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$55,000\u2013$70,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kia EV9 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$54,000\u2013$75,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ford Mustang Mach-E \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$40,000\u2013$60,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tesla Model Y \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$45,000\u2013$55,000<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Large SUVs &amp; Trucks<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Audi Q7 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$60,000\u2013$80,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Infiniti QX80 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$75,000\u2013$95,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nissan Armada \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$57,000\u2013$75,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rivian R1S \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$78,000\u2013$95,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tesla Cybertruck \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$61,000\u2013$100,000+<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Toyota Tundra \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$40,000\u2013$65,000<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Sedans &amp; Other Notable TSP+ Winners<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Genesis G80 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$55,000\u2013$75,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Audi A6 Sportback e-tron \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$65,000\u2013$80,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Audi Q5 \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$48,000\u2013$60,000<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Audi Q5 Sportback \u2014 <strong>MSRP: ~$52,000\u2013$65,000<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Key Takeaways<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Price range is wide<\/strong>: from about <strong>$24K (small SUVs)<\/strong> up to <strong>$90K+ (luxury EVs)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best value sweet spot:<\/strong> $28K\u2013$40K (Mazda, Hyundai, Subaru models)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Family SUVs dominate<\/strong> the safest list, especially midsize 3-row vehicles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>EVs are increasingly competitive<\/strong>, combining strong structures with advanced safety tech<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/\">click here for more salary information<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By SalaryFor.com &#8211; real salaries for all professions The Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS represents the highest level of crash protection and crash avoidance performance. For 2026, stricter standards\u2014especially for rear-seat safety\u2014mean fewer vehicles qualify, making this list especially meaningful. Small SUVs (2026 TSP+ Winners) These compact crossovers balance affordability and top safety [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4203],"tags":[4187],"class_list":["post-2185","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-finance","tag-safest-vehicles-2026"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2185","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2185"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2185\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2337,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2185\/revisions\/2337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}