SUVs replaced minivans as the preferred family vehicle over the past few decades, so finding the safest SUV to keep your family out of harm’s way is critical. No longer are these models just hulking off-road beasts. They are full-fledged people haulers with upscale and high-tech features.
So, what are the safest SUVs in Canada? We outline a handful from each of the major SUV categories using data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Safest Small SUVs in Canada
Small SUVs are excellent for people who want a spacier interior or more ground clearance than a sedan can offer without jumping into a hulking model. Here are the safest SUVs in Canada with a small footprint.
Lexus UXh
The UXh is the smallest of the Lexus crossover SUV lineup, but it still has tons to offer. It’s not only loaded to the gills with high-end features. It also is one of the safest small SUVs on the road, earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) designation.
It earned the TSP+ designation by acing evet test the IIHS tossed at it. It also received “Superior” ratings — the highest possible — for the effectiveness of its vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian collision avoidance. Even its headlights received a “Good” rating.
The Lexus UXh comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which includes lane departure alert with steering assist and road edge detection, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, and auto high-beam headlights.
The 2023 Lexus UXh starts from $45,532.50, but you can snag a used UXh from around $40,000.
Honda CR-V
It’s not the smallest of the Honda crossovers — that honour belongs to the HR-V — but it is the second smallest. The CR-V also happens to be the safest SUV in Honda’s lineup. Despite its small stature, the CR-V took home the IIIHS’ highest honour as a TSP+ thanks to its “Good” ratings in all crash tests. Its safety features also got high marks, as its automatic emergency braking system received a “Superior” rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian collision avoidance in the day and an “Advanced” rating at night. For good measure, it also received a “Good” headlight rating.
The 2023 Honda CR-V comes standard with a slew of excellent safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, road-departure mitigation, and more.
A new CR-V will set you back at least $36,355, but you may find a used CR-V in the $35,000 range.
Subaru Solterra
The Solterra is Subaru’s all-new-for-2023 electric crossover built in partnership with Toyota. Like most Toyota and Subaru models, the Solterra is among the safest vehicles on the road, earning it a spot as an IIHS TSP+.
It earns this honour thanks to its “Good” crash test ratings and headlights, as well as its “Superior” rating in pedestrian collision avoidance in the day and night.
The 2023 Solterra comes standard with all the safety gear most drivers would need, including automatic reverse braking, blind-spot monitoring, full-speed adaptive cruise control, emergency steering assist, lane-tracing assist, rear cross-traffic monitoring, road-sign recognition, safe-exit assist, and much more.
This all checks in at a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $54,295. The Solterra is all-new in 2023, so the pre-owned market is still building. However, if you can find a used Subaru Solterra on the market, expect it to start at around $48,000.
Safest Midsize SUVs in Canada
Midsize SUVs offer a bit more interior space than small SUVs, making them ideal for families with older teens or people who often haul adults in the back seats. They also have additional cargo space and typically have a higher towing capacity. Their added size also helps in crash tests, which is why so many midsize SUVs qualify as TSP+ models in 2023.
Toyota Highlander
The 2023 Toyota Highlander hits our list as one of the safest SUVs in Canada thanks to its “Good” crash test results in all its original IIHS testing. In updated testing, though, the Highlander struggled in the moderate front overlap test — one of the most difficult IIHS crash tests to pass — as its new rating is only “Marginal.”
The Highlander also received “Superior” ratings in all automatic emergency braking tests, and a “Good” rating for its optional adaptive LED projector headlights. Its standard headlights, which are not adaptive, received only an “Acceptable” rating.
Line most Toyota models, the 2023 Highlander comes packed with standard advanced safety equipment. This includes automatic emergency braking with oncoming traffic, cyclist and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with curve-speed management, emergency steering assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, and more.
A new 2023 Toyota Highlander starts from $48,943.50, but you may find a used Toyota Highlander starting from around $43,000.
Volkswagen ID.4
Volkswagen’s first-ever dedicated electric vehicle, the ID.4, makes our list of the safest midsize SUVs in Canada. It received “Good” safety scores in all crash tests, a “Superior” rating in vehicle-to-vehicle collision avoidance, an “Advanced” rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian collision avoidance, and a “Good” rating for its available adaptive LED headlights.
This electric SUV includes a long list of standard advanced safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more.
The ID.4 starts from $49,132, and it’s sold out for 2023. Finding a used ID.4 may be difficult, but pricing starts at around $42,000.
Subaru Ascent
Another Subaru hits our list of the safest SUVs in Canada: the midsize Subaru Ascent. This three-row crossover earned its TSP+ designation by getting the highest-possible ratings in every IIHS test. This included “Good” safety ratings in all crash tests, a “Good” headlight rating, and even a “Superior” rating in the vehicle-to-pedestrian frontal-crash avoidance test.
On top of all these good ratings, the Subaru Ascent also has tons of safety technology in the 2023 model year. These standard features include automatic reverse braking, blind-spot monitoring, full-speed adaptive cruise control, emergency steering assist, lane-tracing assist, sway warning, rear cross-traffic monitoring, road-sign recognition, safe-exit assist, and much more.
This top-rated SUV for safety checks in with a starting price of $40,995, and you may find a used Ascent for around $31,000.
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan takes a spot on the list of the safest SUVs in Canada with its recently redesigned Pathfinder. The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is an IIHS TSP+ thanks to receiving “Good” crash test scores across the board and “Superior” ratings in all automatic emergency braking tests. The only area it faltered slightly was its “Acceptable” headlight rating.
The Pathfinder also has many advanced safety features that help it be one of the safest cars on the road. These features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, rear parking sensors, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.
A new 2023 Pathfinder starts from $46,098, but a used Pathfinder will start around $41,000.
Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade is the largest and best-equipped of the Hyundai SUV lineup, and it’s also among the safest SUVs in Canada. The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned the IIHS TPS+ honour with “Good” crash tests across the board, “Good” rated headlights, and “Superior” vehicle-to-pedestrian collision avoidance. That said, the IIHS updated its testing partially through the 2023 model year, and the Palisade received an alarming “Poor” rating in the new moderate-overlap front test. The IIHS only counts the original tests toward the 2023 TSP+ ratings.
This Hyundai SUV is loaded with great standard safety equipment, including automatic emergency braking with oncoming traffic, cyclist, and pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision warning, adaptive cruise control, driver attention warning, high-beam assist, rear-occupant alert, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, safe-exit assist, and more.
The 2023 Palisade’s MSRP starts from $47,999, but you may find a used Palisade for as little as about $41,000.
Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is the sister model to the Hyundai Palisade, so it’s no shock it's also one of the safest SUVs in Canada. Like the Palisade, this Kia SUV received all the highest marks in its original IIHS testing. However, it never underwent the updated moderate-overlap front test. Given its structurally identical to the Palisade, it would have likely scored the same “Poor” rating.
Like its Hyundai sibling, the Telluride has tons of high-end safety features. These include automatic emergency braking with oncoming traffic, cyclist, and pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision warning, adaptive cruise control, driver attention warning, high-beam assist, rear-occupant alert, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, safe-exit assist, and more.
A new 2023 Kia Telluride starts from $52,866, but you may be able to find a used Telluride for a few thousand less.
Safest Midsize Luxury SUVs in Canada
Luxury midsize SUVs are mostly known for their premium comfort and upscale features, but they’ve lately become known for superior safety ratings too. Three automakers lead the midsize luxury pack, and you’ll notice that none of them are from BMW or Mercedes-Benz.
Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is a leader in SUV safety in the 2023 model year, boasting “Good” ratings in all crash tests, a “Good” headlight rating, and “Superior” automatic emergency braking ratings. This earned is the IIHS’ top honour as a TSP+.
On top of great ratings, the RX also features many high-tech safety goodies. These include standard blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors with automatic braking, rear seat reminder, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking with oncoming traffic, cyclist, and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and much more.
The 2023 Lexus RX starts from $62,682.50 new, but you can find a used Lexus RX for around $57,000.
Lexus NX
Like its larger sibling, the RX, the Lexus NX also has “Good” and “Superior” ratings across the board, earning its IIHS’ TSP+ honour. The great ratings are accompanied by loads of standard safety technology, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors with automatic braking, rear seat reminder, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking with oncoming traffic, cyclist, and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and much more.
The Lexus NX also has a hybrid and plug-in hybrid variant with the same high safety ratings. So, if you want superior fuel economy and safety, this may be your model.
The 2023 Lexus NX starts from $51,982.50, but you may find a used Lexus NX starting a few thousand dollars less.
Acura MDX
The next luxury SUV on our list of safest SUVs in Canada also hails from Japan. This time it’s the MDX from Acura. The 2023 Acura MDX earned the IIHS’ TSP+ honour by scoring “Good” and “Superior” ratings in all but one test — it only received an “Advanced” rating in the vehicle-to-pedestrian crash avoidance at night.
In addition to its great structure to keep its occupants safe, the 2023 Acura MDX’s standard advanced safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning with haptic feedback, road-departure mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more.
The 2023 Acura MDX’s MSRP starts from $61,790, but you may find a used MDX starting as low as $56,596.
Acura RDX
Next in the line of safest SUVs in Canada is the smaller of the Acura SUVs, the RDX. The Acura RDX earned all the same ratings as the MDX despite its smaller stature. This makes it great for a family who doesn’t need too much space but still wants something safe and luxurious. Plus, it’s slightly cheaper than the MDX, with a starting MSRP of $57,410.
The RDX includes all the same standard active safety gear and driver-assist technology as the MDX, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning with haptic feedback, road-departure mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more.
You can save even more by searching for a used Acura RDX, which you can expect to start from around $51,865.
Volvo XC90
Volvo has long been synonymous with safety, so it’s no surprise to see the Volvo XC90 and XC90 Recharge, a PHEV, make the list. The XC90 rolls in with “Good” crash test ratings across the board, but it only received an “Acceptable” rating for its headlights. In vehicle-to-pedestrian collision avoidance, the XC90 received a “Superior” rating in the daytime and “Advanced” at night.
The XC90 has all the advanced safety features you’d expect, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors, road-sign recognition, and more.
All this rings in at a relatively high starting price of $74,187, but you may find a used XC90 starting as low as $68,622.
Safest Large SUVs in Canada
The IIHS doesn’t do much testing on large SUVs, but it tested a handful of models that received its top ranking. In this category, we also looked to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to fill out the list of safest SUVs in Canada.
Audi e-tron Sportback
First up is the all-electric Audi e-tron Sportback. This model is one of the few IIHS TSP+ models in this segment, and it received a “Good” rating in all crash tests and “Superior” ratings in all automatic emergency braking tests. The Premium and Premium Plus trims’ LED headlights received “Good” ratings, but the Prestige trim’s LEDs only received an “Acceptable” rating.
The e-tron Sportback comes loaded with lots of standard safety technology, including standard front and rear automatic emergency braking, lane-change assist, door exit warning, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, and more.
The e-tron Sportback starts from $95,800, and the pre-owned market is a little thin. However, you can find a used e-tron Sportback for around $83,000.
Audi Q8
The Audi Q8 is built atop the same platform as the e-tron Sportback, so it’s unsurprising it is also a TSP+. All its safety ratings are identical to the e-tron Sportback, so the only deciding factor is whether you need an all-electric SUV or not.
The Q8 also shares the e-tron’s standard safety gear, which includes front and rear automatic emergency braking, lane-change assist, door exit warning, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, and more.
The big difference is in pricing, as the Q8 starts from $89,600, and you may find a used Q8 as low as $84,000.
Ford Expedition
The IIHS didn’t test the Ford Expedition, but the NHTSA did, and it was one of the few large SUVs to receive a five-star overall safety rating. This high rating came thanks to five-star testing in all the major crash tests, but it did falter in the rollover rating, receiving only a three-star rating.
The Expedition’s standard and optional safety and driver-assist features all meet the minimum government requirements. Speaking of that, these standard features include lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and more. The Expedition has fewer standard advanced safety features than most on this list, but they are all organized neatly within the optional Ford Co-Pilot360 packages.
The 2023 Expedition starts from $73,285, but you may find a used Expedition at a starting price as low as $67,000.
Get Great Value With the Safest SUVs in Canada at Clutch
As you can see, you have tons of safe SUVs in Canada to choose from to help keep you and your passengers safe. Some of these new models can get a little pricey, but you can save big by searching Clutch, Canada’s premier online automotive retailer, for pre-owned versions of the safest SUVs in Canada.
Whether it’s an entry-level used subcompact SUV or a full-size used luxury SUV, you’ll get the vehicle you want and save cash at Clutch. On top of our great value, we also offer peace of mind by putting all our pre-owned SUVs through a 210-point inspection and reconditioning process to ensure they’re ready for the open road. Plus, you get an optional 6,000-km or 3-month warranty on any used vehicle you purchase at Clutch.
The Clutch buying experience also means you complete the process 100% online without setting foot inside a car dealership. No salespeople, no haggling, no stress — just quality pre-owned vehicles
Making the Clutch experience even better is our optional 10-day or 750-km test-own period. If you don’t love your pre-owned SUV from Clutch during this period, you can exchange it for a new one or return it for a refund — no questions asked.
We also take trade-in vehicles and can give you an offer 100% online. If our offer is what you’re looking for, we’ll pick up your trade-in vehicle when we drop off your new vehicle. It’s as simple as that.
