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Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: SUVs (2010–2014)

Ranked by NHTSA crash-test ratings across 144 model-years of federal data.

Ranked from NHTSA and EPA federal data — not adjusted for sales volume.

NHTSA says overall scores should only be compared within the same vehicle class and at roughly similar curb weights. Treat this as a shortlist, not a complete safety verdict; 2010 scores are excluded because NHTSA changed the rating system for 2011.

  1. 1

    2012 Acura ZDX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    1

    Crash

    MPG

    19

  2. 2

    2011 Acura ZDX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    2

    Crash

    MPG

    19

  3. 3

    2014 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 79% of peers

    Complaints

    16

    Crash

    MPG

    20

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  4. 4

    2014 Toyota Venza

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 68% of peers

    Complaints

    31

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  5. 5

    2011 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 74% of peers

    Complaints

    36

    Crash

    MPG

    20

    Watch for: seat belts complaints

  6. 6

    2012 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 61% of peers

    Complaints

    46

    Crash

    MPG

    20

    Watch for: visibility/wiper complaints

  7. 7

    2013 Toyota Venza

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 64% of peers

    Complaints

    59

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  8. 8

    2013 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 62% of peers

    Complaints

    66

    Crash

    MPG

    20

    Watch for: visibility/wiper complaints

  9. 9

    2013 Buick Enclave

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 59% of peers

    Complaints

    68

    Crash

    MPG

    18.5

    Watch for: steering complaints

  10. 10

    2011 Acura MDX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 62% of peers

    Complaints

    70

    Crash

    MPG

    18

    Watch for: engine complaints

  11. 11

    2012 Buick Enclave

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 47% of peers

    Complaints

    132

    Crash

    MPG

    18.5

    Watch for: structure complaints

  12. 12

    2013 GMC Acadia

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 43% of peers

    Complaints

    133

    Crash

    MPG

    18.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  13. 13

    2014 Toyota Highlander

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 42% of peers

    Complaints

    135

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  14. 14

    2013 Chevrolet Traverse

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 41% of peers

    Complaints

    161

    Crash

    MPG

    19

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  15. 15

    2014 Acura MDX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 40% of peers

    Complaints

    168

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: steering complaints

  16. 16

    2014 Subaru Outback

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 36% of peers

    Complaints

    208

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  17. 17

    2011 Buick Enclave

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 34% of peers

    Complaints

    211

    Crash

    MPG

    18.5

    Watch for: steering complaints

  18. 18

    2014 Infiniti QX60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 35% of peers

    Complaints

    229

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: power train complaints

  19. 19

    2014 Acura RDX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 33% of peers

    Complaints

    239

    Crash

    MPG

    22.5

    Watch for: exterior lighting complaints

  20. 20

    2011 GMC Acadia

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 31% of peers

    Complaints

    269

    Crash

    MPG

    19

    Watch for: steering complaints

  21. 21

    2014 Buick Enclave

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 31% of peers

    Complaints

    290

    Crash

    MPG

    18.5

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  22. 22

    2012 GMC Acadia

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 30% of peers

    Complaints

    294

    Crash

    MPG

    19

    Watch for: steering complaints

  23. 23

    2013 Subaru Outback

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 25% of peers

    Complaints

    295

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: power train complaints

  24. 24

    2012 Chevrolet Traverse

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 22% of peers

    Complaints

    354

    Crash

    MPG

    19

    Watch for: steering complaints

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Common questions

What is the highest NHTSA-rated 2010–2014 SUV?

By our reading of the federal data, the 2012 Acura ZDX tops this list. Open its verdict page for the full complaint, recall and crash record before you buy.

How is this ranking put together?

We rank the 24 matching model years by NHTSA overall crash-test rating, using public NHTSA and EPA data. Figures are not adjusted for sales volume and update on scheduled source refreshes.

This list is generated from NHTSA complaint, recall and crash-test data and EPA fuel-economy data; it is not sales-adjusted and updates on scheduled source refreshes.