Small SUVs

About the awards and ratings

To qualify for 2026 Top Safety Pick, a vehicle needs good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front and side tests as well as acceptable- or good-rated headlights across all trim levels. In addition, there must be a standard front crash prevention system that earns an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian test. If optional front crash prevention systems are offered, they must also earn an acceptable or good rating.

To qualify for 2026 Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle needs a standard front crash prevention system that earns a good rating in the pedestrian test as well as an acceptable or good rating in the vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0 test. If optional front crash prevention systems are offered, they must also meet those criteria. The other required ratings are the same as for 2026 Top Safety Pick.

The small overlap front rating is based on a 40 mph crash test in which 25% of the vehicle’s width on one side strikes a rigid barrier. The test is performed on both the driver and passenger sides, and the rating is equivalent to the lower of the two results.

The moderate overlap front rating is based on a 40 mph crash test in which 40% of the vehicle’s width strikes a deformable barrier. One dummy is seated in the driver seat, and one is seated behind the driver.

The side rating is based on a crash test in which an SUV-like rig strikes the driver side of the vehicle at 37 mph.

The headlight rating is based on the illumination provided by a vehicle’s headlights on straight roads and curves. Each rating applies to a specific headlight type.

The vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention rating is based on trials in which the test vehicle approaches a passenger car target, a motorcycle target and an actual semitrailer from behind. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are tested at different speeds and with the targets in different positions.

The pedestrian front crash prevention rating is based on tests involving dummies that move across or stand in the roadway. Automatic braking performance is tested at different speeds and, in the case of the nighttime scenarios, with the vehicle’s low-beam and high-beam headlights.

The seat belt reminder rating is based on the timing, duration, volume and audio frequency of warnings triggered when occupants are unbelted while the vehicle is traveling above 6 mph.

The child seat anchors (LATCH) rating is based on an ease-of-use evaluation of vehicle hardware for installing child restraints. This rating only applies to the specific trim level and seat type evaluated, indicated on the vehicle details page.

Small overlap front and moderate overlap front ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight. The other ratings listed here can be compared across vehicle categories.