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Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: SUVs (2014–2018)

Ranked by NHTSA crash-test ratings across 239 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

    2018 Mazda CX-3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 89% of peers

    Complaints

    10

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: back over prevention complaints

  2. 2

    2018 Buick Envision

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 86% of peers

    Complaints

    13

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: steering complaints

  3. 3

    2017 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 81% of peers

    Complaints

    14

    Crash

    MPG

    23

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  4. 4

    2014 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 79% of peers

    Complaints

    16

    Crash

    MPG

    20

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  5. 5

    2016 Buick Envision

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 78% of peers

    Complaints

    19

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  6. 6

    2017 Mazda CX-3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 77% of peers

    Complaints

    21

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: fuel/propulsion system complaints

  7. 7

    2015 Lincoln Navigator

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 76% of peers

    Complaints

    21

    Crash

    MPG

    17

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  8. 8

    2018 Lexus NX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 77% of peers

    Complaints

    25

    Crash

    MPG

    24.5

    Watch for: fuel/propulsion system complaints

  9. 9

    2016 Lincoln Navigator

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 75% of peers

    Complaints

    25

    Crash

    MPG

    17

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  10. 10

    2015 Toyota Venza

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 71% of peers

    Complaints

    27

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: unknown or other complaints

  11. 11

    2016 Infiniti QX60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 73% of peers

    Complaints

    29

    Crash

    MPG

    24.5

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  12. 12

    2017 Lincoln Navigator

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 75% of peers

    Complaints

    30

    Crash

    MPG

    17

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  13. 13

    2014 Toyota Venza

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 68% of peers

    Complaints

    31

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  14. 14

    2018 Infiniti QX60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 70% of peers

    Complaints

    37

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: power train complaints

  15. 15

    2016 Acura RDX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 68% of peers

    Complaints

    40

    Crash

    MPG

    22.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  16. 16

    2015 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 66% of peers

    Complaints

    45

    Crash

    MPG

    21

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  17. 17

    2016 Mazda CX-3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 66% of peers

    Complaints

    48

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  18. 18

    2018 Lincoln Navigator

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 66% of peers

    Complaints

    48

    Crash

    MPG

    18

    Watch for: power train complaints

  19. 19

    2018 Buick Enclave

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 61% of peers

    Complaints

    64

    Crash

    MPG

    20.5

    Watch for: power train complaints

  20. 20

    2018 BMW X5

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 59% of peers

    Complaints

    67

    Crash

    MPG

    20.5

    Watch for: engine and engine cooling complaints

  21. 21

    2017 Infiniti QX60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 65% of peers

    Complaints

    67

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  22. 22

    2015 Acura MDX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 62% of peers

    Complaints

    69

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  23. 23

    2016 BMW X5

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 64% of peers

    Complaints

    70

    Crash

    MPG

    20.5

    Watch for: unknown or other complaints

  24. 24

    2018 Buick Encore

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 55% of peers

    Complaints

    71

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: engine complaints

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Common questions

What is the highest NHTSA-rated 2014–2018 SUV?

By our reading of the federal data, the 2018 Mazda CX-3 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.