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Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: SUVs (2012–2016)

Ranked by NHTSA crash-test ratings across 211 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

    2014 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 79% of peers

    Complaints

    16

    Crash

    MPG

    20

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  3. 3

    2016 Buick Envision

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 78% of peers

    Complaints

    19

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  4. 4

    2015 Lincoln Navigator

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 76% of peers

    Complaints

    21

    Crash

    MPG

    17

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  5. 5

    2016 Lincoln Navigator

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 75% of peers

    Complaints

    25

    Crash

    MPG

    17

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  6. 6

    2015 Toyota Venza

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 71% of peers

    Complaints

    27

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: unknown or other complaints

  7. 7

    2016 Infiniti QX60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 73% of peers

    Complaints

    29

    Crash

    MPG

    24.5

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  8. 8

    2014 Toyota Venza

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 68% of peers

    Complaints

    31

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  9. 9

    2016 Acura RDX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 68% of peers

    Complaints

    40

    Crash

    MPG

    22.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  10. 10

    2015 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 66% of peers

    Complaints

    45

    Crash

    MPG

    21

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  11. 11

    2012 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 61% of peers

    Complaints

    46

    Crash

    MPG

    20

    Watch for: visibility/wiper complaints

  12. 12

    2016 Mazda CX-3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 66% of peers

    Complaints

    48

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  13. 13

    2013 Toyota Venza

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 64% of peers

    Complaints

    59

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  14. 14

    2013 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 62% of peers

    Complaints

    66

    Crash

    MPG

    20

    Watch for: visibility/wiper complaints

  15. 15

    2013 Buick Enclave

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 59% of peers

    Complaints

    68

    Crash

    MPG

    18.5

    Watch for: steering complaints

  16. 16

    2015 Acura MDX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 62% of peers

    Complaints

    69

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  17. 17

    2016 BMW X5

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 64% of peers

    Complaints

    70

    Crash

    MPG

    20.5

    Watch for: unknown or other complaints

  18. 18

    2016 Buick Encore

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 60% of peers

    Complaints

    77

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: engine complaints

  19. 19

    2016 BMW X3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 56% of peers

    Complaints

    81

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: engine and engine cooling complaints

  20. 20

    2015 Chevrolet Trax

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 59% of peers

    Complaints

    94

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: power train complaints

  21. 21

    2015 Infiniti QX60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 58% of peers

    Complaints

    95

    Crash

    MPG

    24.5

    Watch for: power train complaints

  22. 22

    2016 Nissan Pathfinder

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 49% of peers

    Complaints

    105

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  23. 23

    2016 Toyota Highlander

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 48% of peers

    Complaints

    115

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: unknown or other complaints

  24. 24

    2016 Chevrolet Trax

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 46% of peers

    Complaints

    116

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

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Common questions

What is the highest NHTSA-rated 2012–2016 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.