Best-of list
Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: SUVs (2018–2022)
Ranked by NHTSA crash-test ratings across 333 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
2020 Mazda CX-3
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
1
Crash
MPG
28
- 2
2021 Mazda CX-3
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
3
Crash
MPG
28
- 3
2020 Audi e-tron
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
5
Crash
MPG
77
- 4
2021 Cadillac XT5
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
5
Crash
MPG
21
- 5
2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
5
Crash
MPG
26
- 6
2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
6
Crash
MPG
26
- 7
2022 Lincoln Nautilus
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
7
Crash
MPG
22
- 8
2022 Buick Encore
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
8
Crash
MPG
26.5
- 9
2022 Chevrolet Trax
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
9
Crash
MPG
26.5
- 10
2022 Mazda CX-9
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
9
Crash
MPG
23
- 11
2021 Buick Encore
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
9
Crash
MPG
26.5
- 12
2022 Cadillac XT5
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
9
Crash
MPG
21
- 13
2018 Mazda CX-3
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 89% of peers
Complaints
10
Crash
MPG
30
Watch for: back over prevention complaints
- 14
2019 Audi Q3
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 86% of peers
Complaints
10
Crash
MPG
22
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 15
2020 Buick Envision
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 86% of peers
Complaints
10
Crash
MPG
24
Watch for: air bags complaints
- 16
2018 Buick Envision
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 86% of peers
Complaints
13
Crash
MPG
24
Watch for: steering complaints
- 17
2022 Infiniti QX50
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 72% of peers
Complaints
13
Crash
MPG
26
Watch for: unknown or other complaints
- 18
2021 Audi Q3
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 78% of peers
Complaints
14
Crash
MPG
24
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 19
2022 Cadillac XT6
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 70% of peers
Complaints
14
Crash
MPG
22
Watch for: unknown or other complaints
- 20
2021 Cadillac XT6
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 74% of peers
Complaints
18
Crash
MPG
22
Watch for: back over prevention complaints
- 21
2021 Lincoln Nautilus
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 74% of peers
Complaints
18
Crash
MPG
22
Watch for: power train complaints
- 22
2020 Mazda CX-9
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 81% of peers
Complaints
19
Crash
MPG
23.5
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 23
2020 Buick Encore
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 81% of peers
Complaints
19
Crash
MPG
26.5
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 24
2020 Cadillac XT5
SUVComplaint record
Quieter than 78% of peers
Complaints
21
Crash
MPG
22
Watch for: steering complaints
Related searches
Common questions
What is the highest NHTSA-rated 2018–2022 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.