2023 Top Safety Pick+ Award Winners: Midsize SUVs
Compare the prices and features of the IIHS's top-rated family haulers.
Hyundai
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When searching for a new family car, nothing is more important than safety. Vehicle technology advances and features such as driver assists and crash-avoidance systems have improved safety over the years. Discovering which vehicles have the edge in that department is where the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) comes in.
The IIHS describes itself as an independent, nonprofit scientific, and educational organization. It has become one of the leading vehicle safety analysis institutions in the U.S. Each year, for the benefit of manufacturers and consumers, the IIHS collects data on the upcoming models to be released by all major automotive brands sold in the country. It then releases a list of what the agency considers to be the safest cars on the market, based on crash-test results and available onboard safety technology.
Here's a list in alphabetical order of the six vehicles in the Midsize SUV class that achieved Top Safety Pick+ status, the IIHS's highest rating for 2023.
Hyundai
2023 Hyundai Palisade
The 2023 Palisade starts at about $37,000. It features a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and optional heated third-row seats, all new for the 2023 model year.
Despite performing well across all other categories, the Palisade is the only vehicle on this list to receive a Poor rating in one of the IIHS's crash tests, specifically one regarding the possibility of head and neck injuries in a front-end collision.
Kia
2023 Kia Telluride
The 2023 Kia Telluride is distinguished by its boxy, semi-rugged style. It also passed the IIHS tests with flying colors, achieving one of the highest overall ratings on this list. Its combination of luxury and safety comes with a manufacturer's suggested retail price similar to the Palisade's. The 2023 Telluride starts at about $37,000.
Nissan
2023 Nissan Pathfinder
Fresh off a redesign that debuted for the 2022 model year, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder arrives with a broad palette of abilities. Equipped with a 3.5-liter V6, it boasts one of the best towing capacity ratings in its class at 6,000 pounds. The Pathfinder also starts at about $37,000.
Subaru
2023 Subaru Ascent
The 2023 Subaru Ascent is a notable addition to this list, as it's the only award winner in the Midsize SUV category with standard all-wheel drive. Subaru says it has a commitment to producing safe vehicles, and the 2023 IIHS results reflect that.
The Ascent ties with the Telluride for the best score across all categories. With a starting price of $35,000, the Ascent is the least expensive SUV on this list.
Toyota
2023 Toyota Highlander
Starting at $38,000, the 2023 Toyota Highlander is on the higher end of the price scale, but it doesn't offer as much power as its competitors. The base model comes equipped with front-wheel drive and a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. That's on the smaller side considering the Pathfinder and Palisade feature V6 powerplants.
While the Highlander did achieve Top Safety Pick+ status, it received a Marginal rating in one of the collision tests, the moderate overlap front.
Volkswagen
2023 Volkswagen ID.4
Rounding out our list is the only German car and the only electric vehicle to obtain Top Safety Pick+ status in this category. The Volkswagen ID.4 is a recent addition to the automaker's lineup, and it serves as a step toward VW's goal of an entirely electric range of vehicles by 2026.
The ID.4 is also the most expensive vehicle on this list, clocking in with a starting price of about $40,000 before any EV incentives.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication) and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
