10 Most Affordable SUVs To Receive An IIHS Top Safety Pick + Award In 2024 (2024)

Finding a car good enough for your family is a daunting task. There are a million different factors you need to consider, from interior space to reliability. On top of that, new cars aren’t getting any cheaper. However, arguably the most important factor when it comes to buying a new car is its overall safety rating.

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) is the utmost authority on vehicle safety, rigorously testing every car. Each metric gets an individual rating, from ‘Poor’ to ‘Good’, and only the safest cars receive the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. Cars need to get a ‘Good’ in just about every category to qualify for the award. We've excluded electric cars from this list, but we have another list that details the safest electric models.

We take a look at the list of the cars that won the Top Safety Pick+ award in 2024. We highlight the most affordable SUVs on the list, ranking them from most to least affordable, in order to give you some of the best choices for you and your family. We also unpack the IIHS’ scoring to give you a full overview of why these SUVs are so exceptional.

10 2024 Hyundai Kona

Starting MSRP: $24,250

Slightly bigger than the Hyundai Venue, the Kona is one of the most feature-packed subcompact SUVs that money can buy. The 2024 Kona is futuristic inside and was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Hyundai's super generous warranties and complimentary maintenance also make it extra attractive.

IIHS Ratings

Hyundai offers a massive suite of safety equipment on all of their vehicles, something the Kona clearly benefits from. It scores incredibly highly in all crash testing, with injury measures being particularly low. Headlights were considered acceptable but aren't curve-adaptive. The seat belts were considered safe, with the only criticism being that the child latches were too deep in the seat.

Crash Test Video

9 2024 Honda HR-V

Starting MSRP: $24,600

Honda is renowned for its reliability and excellent value. The HR-V is the brand's subcompact offering, sitting below the CR-V in the lineup. It may not be the most powerful option, but its agility, interior space, and comfortable seating are appealing factors. Its low starting price and great safety scores make it an excellent choice for families.

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IIHS Ratings

For an entry-level SUV, the HR-V offers excellent driver assist features, such as an adaptive cruise control system and a lane-keeping feature. The HR-V is perhaps one of the best-performing vehicles of 2024 when it comes to crash testing. It scores a 'Good' in every aspect. Its headlights aren't curve-adaptive but are acceptable. The seat belt testing was excellent, with only one tether anchor being in a hard to find position.

Crash Test Video

8 2024 Mazda CX-30

Starting MSRP: $24,995

If you’re looking for a subcompact SUV that has a premium interior and feels fun to drive, then the CX-30 is one of the best choices you can buy. Just like every other Mazda SUV, the CX-30 features a sporty chassis that makes driving feel exceptionally enjoyable. Its standard features and interior materials are well above the level that its affordable price tag might suggest, and it's the most affordable SUV with standard all-wheel drive on the market.

IIHS Ratings

Mazda's subcompact CX-30 is one of the best-performing cars in the IIHS' tests overall. This is in part thanks to its safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning, and automated emergency braking. The CX-30 scores a 'Good' rating in every category with practically no criticisms from the IIHS.

Crash Test Video

7 2024 Mazda CX-50

Starting MSRP: $30,300

Moving up a class, we find the compact Mazda CX-50. It's just as agile and engaging as the subcompact CX-30 but offers improved performance thanks to its more powerful base engine as well as a near-luxury level of interior quality. The CX-30 is one of the best compact SUVs on the market and its high safety rating only adds to its appeal.

IIHS Ratings

Just like the CX-30, the CX-50 comes with plenty of safety technology. This contributes to its excellent test scores. In terms of crash testing, it ranks among some of the safest cars ever made. Where non-Turbo trims have acceptable headlights, the improved system on the Turbo models scores a 'Good' rating. Its pedestrian avoidance system scored lower than some other cars on this list, with it being average in nighttime conditions.

Crash Test Video

6 2024 Subaru Ascent

Starting MSRP: $34,395

Subaru's mid-size Ascent is perfect for more adventurous families. Not only is all-wheel drive standard across all models, but it also features the most affordable three-row SUV you can buy. Its powertrain is also particularly efficient and will save you plenty of money when filling up. It may not be as luxurious as its rivals, but its capability, practicality, and extensive suite of safety tech definitely make up for it.

IIHS Ratings

Subaru's full EyeSight safety suite comes standard on every 2024 Ascent, which is very appealing. The midsize SUV's crash testing was pretty good, other than its moderate front overlap test where rear passengers are susceptible to sustaining injuries. In every other category, though, the Subaru excels.

Crash Test Video

5 2024 Kia Telluride

Starting MSRP: $36,190

Kia's Telluride remains one of the most value-packed midsize SUVs on the market for 2024. This three-row SUV features one of the most spacious interiors of any car in this class. It's also one of the best-equipped cars, even in its base form. With a smooth V-6 and a near-luxury interior, any family would feel at home in Kia's brilliant SUV.

IIHS Ratings

Kia's full suite of safety technology is standard on every Telluride. Some improved equipment is also available on higher trim levels, including automatic high beams and a 360-degree camera, which exceeded the norm in every single of the IIHS' tests, easily earning it a Top Safety Pick+ award.

Crash Test Video

4 2024 Nissan Pathfinder

Starting MSRP: $36,650

Nissan may not be the most popular brand in 2024, but the Pathfinder is a solid option if you're looking for a practical and capable three-row SUV. The Pathfinder features a powerful V-6 engine and can tow up to 6,000 pounds, making it a brilliant all-rounder. The Pathfinder is easily one of the most underrated SUVs that money can buy.

IIHS Ratings

Advanced safety equipment such as automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high-beam headlamps can be had on the Pathfinder. This helps it achieve such exceptional crash test and crash avoidance scores. The only point of criticism was the headlights, which weren't quite bright enough.

Crash Test Video

3 2024 Ford Explorer

Starting MSRP: $36,860

The Ford Explorer is a brilliant family shuttle and one of the brand's bestsellers for a reason. It comes standard with a spacious interior and three throws of seating. Those wanting a little more capability can also opt for the brawny V-6 alongside the Timberline trim. As well as being practical and having a trim level for just about everyone, the Ford Explorer also looks the business.

IIHS Ratings

The Explorer is perhaps the worst-performing of the vehicles that managed to receive the Top Safety Pick+ award. It does, however, perform well where it matters most, with its crash tests bringing back brilliant results. Headlight visibility was acceptable, with lower trim levels producing some glare. The seat belt reminders were negligible, lasting less than eight seconds and child seat tether points were confusing.

Crash Test Video

2 2024 Mazda CX-90

Starting MSRP: $37,845

The third offering from Mazda to make this list, the CX-90, is the brand's midsize three-row SUV. It is also the first model to feature Mazda's new super efficient 3.3-liter inline-six powertrain. Despite being bigger than the rest of the Mazda lineup, it retains the agile handling we've come to expect as well as a cabin that is much more luxe than its price tag suggests.

IIHS Ratings

Mazda includes their i-Activsense safety suite on the CX-90, which includes features like automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Just like the other Mazdas featured on this list, the CX-90 excelled in essentially every test. The only criticism that the IIHS had against the CX-90 was that some lower-end trims have below expected headlight visibility.

Crash Test Video

1 2024 BMW X3

Starting MSRP: $46,900

The only luxury car to make this list is the 2024 X3. The German brand is known for seamlessly blending performance with comfort and that is precisely what they've achieved with the X3. This midsize SUV has a silky powertrain and one of the most engaging driving experiences you'll find in an SUV of this size.

IIHS Ratings

BMW doesn't offer their full suite of safety equipment as standard. Instead, there is an optional advanced package. While its seat belt and LATCH tests produced only moderate results, with notifications being quiet and tether points being difficult to reach, the X3 performs well in the most important areas.

Crash Test Video