Not long ago, a family member purchased a new Jeep Cherokee and like many people, there was an immediate concern about safety, especially with children riding in the vehicle. Years ago, certain SUVs didn’t always have the best reputation when it came to crash protection, so it was natural to question whether this was the safest choice. But after looking into the latest safety ratings, it became clear that today’s version of the Cherokee is far safer than older models, reflecting a much bigger shift happening across the entire auto industry.
10 of the Safest Cars and SUVs of 2026
Choosing a vehicle means comparing more than appearance, fuel economy, and technology. You also want to know how well it protects your family and whether its safety systems can help prevent a collision.
Among the safest vehicles to consider for 2026 are the Volvo EX90, Audi A6, Audi A5, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Prius. Each vehicle on this list earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, recognizing strong crashworthiness and crash-prevention performance.
Below, we explain what distinguishes 10 award-winning vehicles and what shoppers should understand before buying.
How We Ranked These 2026 Vehicles
This is an editorial ranking, not an official IIHS numbered list. We considered crash-test performance, vehicle and pedestrian crash prevention, headlights, and standard safety equipment. Close placements reflect different strengths rather than a proven safety advantage in every crash.
For its 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, IIHS requires Good ratings in three main crashworthiness evaluations, Good pedestrian crash prevention, and Acceptable or Good headlights and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention.
Ratings were checked on October 16, 2026. Equipment, trim levels, and manufacturing dates can affect which results apply.
1. Volvo EX90
The 2026 Volvo EX90 leads our list for its combination of crash protection and standard safety equipment. This electric SUV earned Good ratings in all three main crashworthiness tests and both front crash-prevention evaluations.
Its updated frontal evaluation also showed Good results across rear-passenger injury and restraint categories. Standard blind spot detection and rear automatic braking strengthen its appeal for families. Its headlights received an Acceptable rating, an important qualification when comparing its overall results.
2. Audi A6
The 2026 Audi A6 is a strong option for drivers seeking a large sedan. It earned Good ratings in the main crashworthiness tests, vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention, pedestrian crash prevention, seat belt reminders, and child-seat anchor usability.
Headlight performance varies by trim, with Good and Acceptable ratings. Blind spot detection and rear automatic braking are optional. Those equipment differences place it behind the EX90 in our ranking and make checking the specific vehicle’s options especially important.
3. Audi A5
The 2026 Audi A5 stands out for Good ratings across the main crashworthiness tests, both front crash-prevention categories, and headlights. That combination makes it a compelling midsize luxury car to consider.
However, its seat belt reminder system received a Marginal rating. Blind spot detection and rear automatic braking are also optional. Those shortcomings explain why it follows the A6 here, despite its particularly strong lighting and collision-prevention results.
4. Toyota Camry
The 2026 Toyota Camry offers well-rounded safety performance in a mainstream midsize sedan. It received Good ratings in the main crashworthiness tests, both front crash-prevention evaluations, seat belt reminders, and child-seat anchor usability.
Blind spot detection is standard, while rear automatic braking is optional. Its headlights earned an Acceptable rating. The Camry’s broad strengths earn it fourth place, although shoppers should recognize that its lighting results fall below the A5’s Good rating.
5. Toyota Prius
The 2026 Toyota Prius combines Good crashworthiness ratings with Good vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian crash prevention. It also earned Good seat belt reminders and Good+ child-seat anchor usability.
Standard blind spot detection adds another useful feature. Its headlights are rated Acceptable, and rear automatic braking is optional. The Prius ranks highly for its tested performance, but its smaller size should remain part of the decision when comparing it with larger vehicles.
6. Hyundai Sonata
The 2026 Hyundai Sonata earned Good ratings in the main crashworthiness tests, headlights, pedestrian crash prevention, and seat belt reminders. It also includes standard blind spot detection and rear automatic braking.
Its vehicle-to-vehicle crash-prevention rating is Acceptable rather than Good, and child-seat anchor usability is Acceptable. Those distinctions place it below the Camry and Prius under our approach. Nevertheless, its standard rear automatic braking and strong headlights make it a worthwhile sedan to compare.
7. Nissan Sentra
The 2026 Nissan Sentra is a standout compact sedan with Good ratings in the main crashworthiness tests, headlights, pedestrian crash prevention, and seat belt reminders. Child-seat anchor usability earned Good+.
Blind spot detection is standard, while rear automatic braking is optional. Its vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention received an Acceptable rating. It follows the Sonata here because the Sonata combines strong test results with standard rear automatic braking, although the Sentra performs better in child-seat anchor usability.
8. Mazda3 Sedan
The 2026 Mazda3 sedan earned Good main crashworthiness ratings, Good pedestrian crash prevention, and Good seat belt reminders. Its Good+ child-seat anchor usability is another strength.
Standard blind spot detection supports its position on this list. However, vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention is Acceptable, and headlights vary between Good and Acceptable depending on equipment. That variability places it behind the Sentra in this comparison and gives shoppers a reason to examine the exact trim they are considering.
9. Genesis G80
The 2026 Genesis G80 offers strong large-sedan crash protection, earning Good ratings in the main crashworthiness tests and pedestrian crash prevention. Blind spot detection is standard.
Its headlights, vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention, and child-seat anchor usability received Acceptable ratings. These results explain its lower placement within this award-winning group. Also, the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award applies only to vehicles built after June 2025. Check the manufacturing label before assuming a particular G80 qualifies.
10. Kia K4 Sedan
The 2026 Kia K4 sedan completes our list with Good main crashworthiness and pedestrian crash-prevention ratings.
Its headlights, vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention, seat belt reminders, and child-seat anchor usability earned Acceptable ratings. Blind spot detection and rear automatic braking are optional. Those differences place it tenth here, but it remains a TOP SAFETY PICK+ winner. Its position should not be mistaken for a poor safety assessment.
What Should You Check Before Buying?
Compare the exact model year, trim, equipment package, and manufacturing date. Review individual test results instead of relying solely on an award badge.
Remember that IIHS awards recognize performance within vehicle categories. A smaller award-winning car does not necessarily protect occupants better than a larger vehicle in every collision. No placement here establishes that omitted award winners are less safe.
Injured in a Car Accident? Call Herrman & Herrman
Even advanced safety equipment cannot eliminate every crash. If someone else’s negligence leaves you injured, Herrman & Herrman can review your circumstances and explain your legal options.
Call 361-882-4357 or visit herrmanandherrman.com for a free consultation. If you need us, we are here to help.
Modern Cars vs. Older Vehicles: A Dramatic Difference
As of 2026, vehicles are significantly safer than those built even 10–20 years ago. Crash testing organizations like the European New Car Assessment Programme have consistently shown how far safety engineering has come. In one well-known comparison, a 1997 Rover 100 was tested against a modern Honda Jazz (known as the Honda Fit in some markets), both crashing into a barrier at the same speed. The difference was striking—what was once considered “acceptable” safety now looks dangerously outdated.
Why Newer Vehicles Perform Better
Older vehicles often lacked the structural design and restraint systems needed to protect passengers effectively. Even when airbags were present, they were limited in number and capability. In contrast, today’s vehicles are built with:
- Advanced airbag systems, including side curtain airbags
- Reinforced safety cages to protect occupants
- Crumple zones designed to absorb and redirect crash energy
- Driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping support
These innovations work together to reduce the severity of injuries and improve survival rates in serious accidents.
Real Crash Test Comparisons Tell the Story
The difference becomes even clearer when looking at real crash tests. In older vehicles like the Rover, crash dummies experience severe movement inside the cabin, the structure collapses inward, and critical components like the engine can intrude into passenger space. Doors may even become jammed, making rescue more difficult.
By comparison, modern vehicles like the Honda Jazz are designed to maintain structural integrity during impact. The cabin remains intact, airbags deploy strategically, and crash forces are absorbed before reaching passengers. The result is a much higher likelihood of walking away from a collision.
Another powerful example comes from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which compared a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu to a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air. In that test, the older Bel Air’s cabin collapsed dramatically, putting the dummy at risk of severe head, neck, and leg injuries. Meanwhile, the Malibu’s crumple zones absorbed most of the impact, protecting the occupant far more effectively.
What’s New in 2026 Safety Technology
Fast forward to today, and safety technology has gone even further. Many 2026 vehicles now include:
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability
- 360-degree camera systems for better visibility
- Enhanced crash avoidance systems powered by AI
These features don’t just protect you during a crash—they actively help prevent accidents from happening in the first place.
The Bottom Line: Safer Roads, Smarter Cars
The evolution of vehicle safety is one of the most important advancements in modern transportation. While no car can eliminate risk entirely, today’s vehicles offer a level of protection that was unimaginable just a couple of decades ago. Whether it’s a family SUV like the Jeep Cherokee or a compact daily driver, drivers in 2026 can feel more confident knowing their vehicles are designed with safety as a top priority.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, it’s still important to understand your rights and options. Even with safer vehicles, accidents can lead to serious injuries—and having the right legal guidance can make all the difference in your recovery.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
