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Safest SUVs by NHTSA Rating in 2021

The safest SUVs in 2021 based on NHTSA overall crash test ratings.

Safety first. We filtered every SUV from 2021 with an NHTSA overall rating and surfaced the ones that scored highest.

Segment Average 4/5 209 SUVs from 2021
#1
2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer L, LS, LT
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 1.2L turbo inline-3 producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. It takes the top spot with the highest NHTSA rating of 5/5 — well above the segment average of 4/5. That's better than 99% of SUVs.

137 hp 162 lb-ft 8.8s 0-60 22 mpg $19,000 AWD
Also available as: Regular Gasoline · 1.3 L Turbo I3 · RWD · 155 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Regular Gasoline · 1.3 L Turbo I3 · RWD · 155 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating
Full specs →
#2
2021 Honda HR-V LX, Sport, EX, EX-L
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 1.8L inline-4 producing 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 99% of SUVs.

141 hp 127 lb-ft 8.8s 0-60 30 mpg $21,020 FWD
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#3
2021 Chevrolet Trax LS, LT
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 1.4L turbo inline-4 producing 155 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 99% of SUVs.

155 hp 177 lb-ft 9s 0-60 23 mpg $21,400 RWD
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#4
2021 Subaru Crosstrek Base, Premium
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 2.0L h4 producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 98% of SUVs.

152 hp 145 lb-ft 9s 0-60 30 mpg $22,245 AWD
Also available as: Regular Gasoline · 2.0L H4 · AWD · 152 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Regular Gasoline · 2.5L H4 · AWD · 182 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline · 2.0L H4 · AWD · 148 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating
Full specs →
#5
2021 Toyota C-HR LE, XLE, Nightshade, Limited
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 2.0L inline-4 producing 144 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 98% of SUVs.

144 hp 139 lb-ft 10.5s 0-60 29 mpg $22,360 FWD
Full specs →
#6
2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ES, LE, SE, SEL
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 1.5L turbo inline-4 producing 152 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 97% of SUVs.

152 hp 184 lb-ft 8.6s 0-60 27 mpg $23,395 FWD
Also available as: Regular Gasoline · 1.5 L Turbo I4 · AWD · 152 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating
Full specs →
#7
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander ES, LE, SE
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 2.4L inline-4 producing 166 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 97% of SUVs.

166 hp 162 lb-ft 9.2s 0-60 27 mpg $24,895 FWD
Also available as: Premium Gasoline · 3.0 L V6 · AWD · 224 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Regular Gasoline · 2.4 L I4 · AWD · 166 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating
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#8
2021 Hyundai Tucson SEL, Sport, Limited, Ultimate
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 2.4L inline-4 producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 96% of SUVs.

181 hp 175 lb-ft 9.2s 0-60 23 mpg $24,950 AWD
Full specs →
#9
2021 Buick Encore Preferred
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 1.4L turbo inline-4 producing 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 96% of SUVs.

138 hp 148 lb-ft 9.6s 0-60 27 mpg $25,098 FWD
Also available as: Regular Gasoline · 1.4L Turbo I4 · AWD · 138 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating
Full specs →
#10
2021 Subaru Forester Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Touring
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 2.5L h4 producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 95% of SUVs.

182 hp 176 lb-ft 8.5s 0-60 29 mpg $25,195 AWD
Full specs →
#11
2021 Buick Encore GX Preferred
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 1.2L turbo inline-3 producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 95% of SUVs.

137 hp 162 lb-ft 8.8s 0-60 29 mpg $25,200 FWD
Also available as: Regular Gasoline · 1.3L Turbo I3 · FWD · 155 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Regular Gasoline · 1.3L Turbo I3 · AWD · 155 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating
Full specs →
#12
2021 Hyundai Kona Limited, Ultimate
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 1.6L turbo inline-4 producing 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 94% of SUVs.

175 hp 195 lb-ft 7s 0-60 30 mpg $25,200 FWD
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#13
2021 Mazda CX-5 Sport, Touring, Grand Touring
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 2.5L inline-4 producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 94% of SUVs.

187 hp 186 lb-ft 8.2s 0-60 28 mpg $25,370 FWD
Also available as: Premium Gasoline · 2.5 L Turbo I4 · AWD · 250 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Regular Gasoline · 2.5 L I4 · AWD · 187 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating
Full specs →
#14
2021 Nissan Rogue S, SV, SL, Platinum
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 2.5L inline-4 producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 93% of SUVs.

181 hp 181 lb-ft 8.4s 0-60 30 mpg $25,650 FWD
Also available as: Regular Gasoline · 2.5L I4 · AWD · 181 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating
Full specs →
#15
2021 Ford Bronco Sport Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 1.5L turbo inline-3 producing 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 93% of SUVs.

181 hp 190 lb-ft 8.6s 0-60 26 mpg $26,820 AWD
Also available as: Regular Gasoline · 2.0 L Turbo I4 · AWD · 250 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating
Full specs →
#16
2021 Honda CR-V LX, EX, EX-L, Touring
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 1.5L turbo inline-4 producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 92% of SUVs.

190 hp 179 lb-ft 7.6s 0-60 29 mpg $27,060 AWD
Full specs →
#17
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe SE, SEL, Convenience, Premium
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 2.5L inline-4 producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 92% of SUVs.

191 hp 181 lb-ft 9.1s 0-60 26 mpg $27,200 FWD
Also available as: Regular Gasoline · 2.5 L I4 · FWD · 191 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Regular Gasoline · 2.5 L Turbo I4 · AWD · 281 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Regular Gasoline · 2.5 L Turbo I4 · AWD · 281 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating
Full specs →
#18
2021 Ford Escape Hybrid SE, SEL, Titanium
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 2.5L inline-4 producing 200 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 91% of SUVs.

200 hp 155 lb-ft 8.9s 0-60 40 mpg $28,930 AWD
Full specs →
#19
2021 Mini Countryman Cooper S
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 producing 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 91% of SUVs.

189 hp 207 lb-ft 7.2s 0-60 29 mpg $28,950 FWD
Also available as: Premium Gasoline · 1.5L Turbocharged I3 · FWD · 134 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Plug-in Hybrid · 1.5L Turbocharged I3 · AWD · 221 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Premium Gasoline · 2.0L Turbocharged I4 · AWD · 189 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Premium Gasoline · 2.0L Turbocharged I4 · AWD · 301 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating Premium Gasoline · 1.5L Turbocharged I3 · AWD · 134 hp · 5/5 NHTSA rating
Full specs →
#20
2021 GMC Terrain SL, SLE, SLT, Denali
5/5 NHTSA Rating

Powered by a 1.5L turbo inline-4 producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. It delivers 5/5 NHTSA rating. That's better than 90% of SUVs.

170 hp 203 lb-ft 9.3s 0-60 26 mpg $29,100 AWD
Full specs →

Full Comparison: Safest SUVs by NHTSA Rating in 2021

# SUV NHTSA Rating PriceHP
1 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer 5/5 $19,000137 hp
2 2021 Honda HR-V 5/5 $21,020141 hp
3 2021 Chevrolet Trax 5/5 $21,400155 hp
4 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 5/5 $22,245152 hp
5 2021 Toyota C-HR 5/5 $22,360144 hp
6 2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 5/5 $23,395152 hp
7 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander 5/5 $24,895166 hp
8 2021 Hyundai Tucson 5/5 $24,950181 hp
9 2021 Buick Encore 5/5 $25,098138 hp
10 2021 Subaru Forester 5/5 $25,195182 hp
11 2021 Buick Encore GX 5/5 $25,200137 hp
12 2021 Hyundai Kona 5/5 $25,200175 hp
13 2021 Mazda CX-5 5/5 $25,370187 hp
14 2021 Nissan Rogue 5/5 $25,650181 hp
15 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 5/5 $26,820181 hp
16 2021 Honda CR-V 5/5 $27,060190 hp
17 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 5/5 $27,200191 hp
18 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid 5/5 $28,930200 hp
19 2021 Mini Countryman 5/5 $28,950189 hp
20 2021 GMC Terrain 5/5 $29,100170 hp

The Bottom Line

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer takes the top spot with 5/5. The 2021 Honda HR-V is a close second. All 20 SUVs listed here exceed the 2021 segment average of 4/5.