15 Top-Rated Vehicles for Safety in 2026
First, the 2026 list offers strong choices across several vehicle types. In particular, sedans and SUVs give shoppers many TSP+ options. Truck buyers, however, have far fewer award-winning choices.
Safest Cars and Sedans
1. Kia K4 — TSP+
To start, the Kia K4 combines a top IIHS award with an accessible starting price in the BundleBee guide. As a result, it stands out as a strong value choice.
2. Mazda3 Sedan/Hatchback — TSP+
Next, the Mazda3 earns the highest award level while giving shoppers both sedan and hatchback options.
3. Hyundai Elantra — TSP+
In addition, the Hyundai Elantra is another lower-priced vehicle in the guide that earns the top TSP+ designation.
4. Hyundai Sonata — TSP+
Meanwhile, drivers who want a larger sedan can consider the Sonata. It also appears among the guide’s TSP+ winners.
5. Toyota Camry — TSP+
Finally, the Toyota Camry rounds out our five sedan picks and earns the highest IIHS award listed in the BundleBee guide.
Safest Small SUVs of 2026
SUVs were especially strong in the BundleBee 2026 guide. In fact, many of the TSP+ winners were SUVs. Therefore, families have several highly rated choices to compare.
6. Hyundai Kona — TSP+
For shoppers who want a smaller SUV, the Hyundai Kona earns TSP+ in the BundleBee guide.
7. Mazda CX-30 — TSP+
Similarly, the Mazda CX-30 is another compact SUV with the highest IIHS award listed in the guide.
8. Honda HR-V — TSP+
Additionally, Honda’s HR-V joins the compact SUV group with a TSP+ designation.
9. Hyundai Tucson — TSP+
For another option, the Hyundai Tucson gives families a TSP+ choice in the small SUV category.
10. Subaru Forester — TSP+
Likewise, the Subaru Forester earns TSP+ and appears among the guide’s strongest small SUV choices.
Top Midsize SUVs for Safety
If you need more passenger or cargo space, several midsize SUVs also earned the top award. For example, the Santa Fe, Passport, and Sorento all appear as TSP+ choices in the BundleBee guide.
11. Hyundai Santa Fe — TSP+
For drivers who need more room, qualifying Hyundai Santa Fe models appear among the midsize TSP+ winners in the guide.
12. Honda Passport — TSP+
Next, the Honda Passport earns TSP+. Therefore, midsize SUV shoppers have another highly rated option to consider.
13. Kia Sorento — TSP+
Finally, the Kia Sorento also earns TSP+. As a result, families looking for a midsize SUV have another award-winning choice.
Safest Trucks of 2026
Unlike sedans and SUVs, pickups had a much shorter award list in the BundleBee guide. In fact, only two trucks made the cut.
14. Tesla Cybertruck — TSP+
First, the Tesla Cybertruck is one of only two pickups listed as IIHS award winners. In addition, it is the only truck in the guide with TSP+.
15. Toyota Tundra Crew Cab — TSP
Meanwhile, the Toyota Tundra Crew Cab is the second pickup to earn an award. It receives the Top Safety Pick designation.
2026 Safest Vehicles at a Glance
For a quick comparison, here are all 15 choices from our list and their award levels.
| Vehicle | Type | IIHS Award |
| Kia K4 | Car | TSP+ |
| Mazda3 | Car | TSP+ |
| Hyundai Elantra | Car | TSP+ |
| Hyundai Sonata | Car | TSP+ |
| Toyota Camry | Car | TSP+ |
| Hyundai Kona | SUV | TSP+ |
| Mazda CX-30 | SUV | TSP+ |
| Honda HR-V | SUV | TSP+ |
| Hyundai Tucson | SUV | TSP+ |
| Subaru Forester | SUV | TSP+ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | SUV | TSP+ |
| Honda Passport | SUV | TSP+ |
| Kia Sorento | SUV | TSP+ |
| Tesla Cybertruck | Truck | TSP+ |
| Toyota Tundra Crew Cab | Truck | TSP |
Why SUVs Stand Out in 2026
SUV shoppers have plenty of highly rated choices. In fact, SUVs make up a large share of the TSP+ winners in the BundleBee guide.
For example, the list includes smaller choices such as the Kona, CX-30, HR-V, Tucson, and Forester. Meanwhile, larger options include the Santa Fe, Passport, Sorento, Pathfinder, Ioniq 9, and Kia EV9.
Why Did So Few Trucks Earn Awards?
Pickup trucks struggled under the safety criteria described in the BundleBee guide. In particular, rear-seat protection in the moderate overlap front test was a major challenge.
As a result, the guide lists only two pickups as IIHS award winners: the Tesla Cybertruck with TSP+ and the Toyota Tundra Crew Cab with TSP.
Therefore, families who regularly carry passengers in the rear seat may want to pay close attention to rear-passenger crash protection when comparing trucks.
Does a Safer Vehicle Mean Cheaper Insurance?
Vehicle safety can influence insurance costs. However, a top safety rating does not automatically guarantee a lower premium.
Other Factors Can Affect Your Rate
For example, insurers may also consider repair costs, replacement value, theft risk, claim history for the model, parts prices, driver information, location, and coverage choices.
Therefore, it is smart to get an insurance quote before buying a vehicle. A car with a strong crash-test rating can still cost more to insure if repairs or replacement parts are expensive.
5 Things to Check Before Buying a New Vehicle
1. Check the Exact IIHS Rating
First, look at the award for the exact model you are considering. Some awards may apply only to certain model years, build dates, or vehicle versions.
2. Look Beyond the Overall Award
Next, consider the individual safety tests. For example, rear-seat protection may be especially important if children, friends, or family members regularly ride in the back.
3. Compare Safety Technology
In addition, compare automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and other crash-prevention features. These systems can add another layer of protection.
4. Get an Insurance Quote Before You Buy
Before signing the paperwork, ask for an insurance quote using the exact vehicle information. That way, you can include insurance in your total ownership cost.
5. Compare Several Carriers
Finally, do not assume every insurer will price the vehicle the same way. Instead, compare several carriers because premiums can vary for the same driver and vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Safest Vehicles of 2026
What Is the Highest IIHS Safety Award?
Top Safety Pick+ is the higher of the two IIHS awards discussed in the BundleBee guide. Meanwhile, Top Safety Pick is the next award level.
What Are Some of the Safest Affordable Cars in 2026?
For example, the BundleBee guide lists the Hyundai Elantra, Kia K4, Mazda3, Honda Civic Hatchback, and Hyundai Sonata among lower-priced cars that earned TSP+.
What Are Some of the Safest SUVs in 2026?
TSP+ SUV choices in the guide include the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, Honda Passport, Kia Sorento, and several others.
More Questions About 2026 Vehicle Safety
Which Trucks Earned Safety Awards?
According to the guide, only two trucks made the list. The Tesla Cybertruck earned Top Safety Pick+, while the Toyota Tundra Crew Cab earned Top Safety Pick.
Are Electric Vehicles Included Among the Top Safety Picks?
Yes. For example, the guide includes electric models such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV9, and Tesla Cybertruck among its award winners.
Will Buying a Top Safety Pick+ Vehicle Lower My Insurance?
Not necessarily. Although safety can matter, insurers also consider other rating factors. Therefore, compare actual quotes before deciding which vehicle will cost less to insure.
The BundleBee Advantage
A vehicle’s sticker price is only part of what it costs to own. In addition, insurance can make a noticeable difference in your monthly budget.
Therefore, consider checking the insurance cost before you buy your next car, SUV, or truck. BundleBee can compare quotes across 80+ carriers so you can see how the vehicle may fit your budget.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the 2026 IIHS award list gives drivers many highly rated choices, especially among sedans and SUVs. Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and Subaru all appear prominently in the BundleBee guide.
However, truck shoppers have fewer award-winning options in the guide. The Tesla Cybertruck and Toyota Tundra Crew Cab are the two pickups that stand out.
Most importantly, compare both safety and insurance costs before buying. That way, you can choose a vehicle that protects your family while also fitting your overall budget.
Buying a New Car? Check the Insurance Price First.
Before you buy, send BundleBee the vehicle you are considering. Then, we can compare insurance options across 80+ carriers so you can see how the vehicle may fit your budget.
Important Information
This article provides general insurance and vehicle-safety information only. IIHS awards, vehicle details, availability, pricing, build-date rules, safety equipment, and insurance rates can change. In addition, an IIHS award does not guarantee that a vehicle will prevent injury in every crash or qualify for a lower insurance premium. Insurance costs vary by carrier, vehicle, driver, location, coverage, claims history, deductibles, and other rating factors. Therefore, verify current safety information and obtain insurance quotes for the exact vehicle you are considering before purchasing.