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Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: SUVs (2016–2020)

Ranked by NHTSA crash-test ratings across 290 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

    2020 Mazda CX-3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    1

    Crash

    MPG

    28

  2. 2

    2020 Audi e-tron

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    5

    Crash

    MPG

    77

  3. 3

    2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    5

    Crash

    MPG

    26

  4. 4

    2018 Mazda CX-3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 89% of peers

    Complaints

    10

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: back over prevention complaints

  5. 5

    2019 Audi Q3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 86% of peers

    Complaints

    10

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  6. 6

    2020 Buick Envision

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 86% of peers

    Complaints

    10

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  7. 7

    2018 Buick Envision

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 86% of peers

    Complaints

    13

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: steering complaints

  8. 8

    2017 Volvo XC60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 81% of peers

    Complaints

    14

    Crash

    MPG

    23

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  9. 9

    2020 Mazda CX-9

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 81% of peers

    Complaints

    19

    Crash

    MPG

    23.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  10. 10

    2020 Buick Encore

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 81% of peers

    Complaints

    19

    Crash

    MPG

    26.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  11. 11

    2016 Buick Envision

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 78% of peers

    Complaints

    19

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  12. 12

    2017 Mazda CX-3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 77% of peers

    Complaints

    21

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: fuel/propulsion system complaints

  13. 13

    2020 Cadillac XT5

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 78% of peers

    Complaints

    21

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: steering complaints

  14. 14

    2019 Buick Envision

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 78% of peers

    Complaints

    22

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  15. 15

    2020 Infiniti QX60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 75% of peers

    Complaints

    23

    Crash

    MPG

    22

    Watch for: power train complaints

  16. 16

    2020 Lexus NX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 74% of peers

    Complaints

    24

    Crash

    MPG

    24.5

    Watch for: fuel/propulsion system complaints

  17. 17

    2018 Lexus NX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 77% of peers

    Complaints

    25

    Crash

    MPG

    24.5

    Watch for: fuel/propulsion system complaints

  18. 18

    2016 Lincoln Navigator

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 75% of peers

    Complaints

    25

    Crash

    MPG

    17

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

  19. 19

    2019 Mazda CX-3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 77% of peers

    Complaints

    26

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  20. 20

    2020 Volkswagen Atlas

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 71% of peers

    Complaints

    26

    Crash

    MPG

    20.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  21. 21

    2020 Audi Q8

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 71% of peers

    Complaints

    26

    Crash

    MPG

    18

    Watch for: engine complaints

  22. 22

    2020 Lincoln Navigator

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 68% of peers

    Complaints

    28

    Crash

    MPG

    18

    Watch for: power train complaints

  23. 23

    2016 Infiniti QX60

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 73% of peers

    Complaints

    29

    Crash

    MPG

    24.5

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  24. 24

    2017 Lincoln Navigator

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 75% of peers

    Complaints

    30

    Crash

    MPG

    17

    Watch for: service brakes complaints

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Common questions

What is the highest NHTSA-rated 2016–2020 SUV?

By our reading of the federal data, the 2020 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.