In the world of automotive safety, Volvo has long been a trusted name, thanks to its pioneering work in safety features over the past 60 years. However, even the Swedish automaker's latest models aren't immune to criticism. The 2026 Volvo XC40, for instance, has received mixed reviews from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), earning good ratings in some areas but falling short in others. This has opened the door for competitors to showcase their safety credentials, and here are five SUVs that outshine the XC40 in terms of IIHS safety ratings.
1. BMW X1
The BMW X1, a luxury small SUV, has earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for the 2026 model year. It excels in crash tests, earning good ratings for small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side crash tests. The X1 also performed well in areas not tested on the XC40, such as headlights, child safety anchors, and pedestrian front crash prevention. However, it received a marginal rating for seat belt reminders due to a low sound alert, and an acceptable rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
2. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is another top-rated small SUV, earning a Top Safety Pick+ award. It received good ratings in all IIHS crash tests, crash prevention tests, and seat belt reminder tests. The CX-5's child seat anchors were deemed good+, the highest rating. However, it's worth noting that the good rating for headlights is exclusive to the S Premium Plus trim, and the lower-tiered trims only received an acceptable rating.
3. Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson, a popular small SUV, also earned a Top Safety Pick+ award. It received good ratings in crash tests and crash prevention, but a poor rating in whiplash prevention due to higher demerits compared to the XC40. The Tucson's headlights and child seat anchors received acceptable ratings, but the low anchors were found to be too deep into the seats.
4. Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage, another Top Safety Pick+ award winner, is highly regarded by the IIHS. It earned good ratings in crash tests and crash prevention, with the exception of whiplash prevention, where it received an acceptable rating. The Sportage's headlights and child seat anchors received mixed ratings based on trim, but its seat belt reminders were all good.
5. Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester stands out as the only model to exclusively earn good ratings across all IIHS tests. It performed exceptionally well in crash tests, crash prevention, and internal safety feature tests, earning a good rating in whiplash prevention with only one demerit. The Forester's child seat anchors received a good+ rating, making it a top choice for families.
In conclusion, while the Volvo XC40 has its strengths, these five SUVs offer superior safety ratings and features. The IIHS awards provide valuable insights for consumers, highlighting the importance of safety in the automotive industry. As technology advances, we can expect even more innovative safety measures to become standard, ensuring our roads are safer for everyone.
