I've reviewed nearly 30 cars in 2026 for USA TODAY Cars, creating ranking lists by segment, value for the money, and more. But what about safety?
One of our newsletter subscribers recently asked us to do a deeper dive on vehicle safety scores and features in our reviews.
I have tested multiple Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ winners. Here are five safe cars that I would personally buy that are also IIHS award-winning models.
2026 Nissan Pathfinder is a safe family hauler
Nissan's Pathfinder is a midsize three-row family SUV with plenty of cabin and cargo space. It also earned good crashworthiness scores from the IIHS.
The Japanese midsize SUV starts at $39,990, which is affordable for its segment. It comes standard with safety features like blind-spot warning and automatic
emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
I drove the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder on a road trip from New Jersey to Philadelphia with a full cabin, and my passengers found it to be extremely comfortable. I would buy the new Pathfinder because it's roomy, safe, and doesn't break the bank.
If you have a large family, the Pathfinder is an excellent choice that's often overlooked because of competitors like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. It offers plenty for drivers in need of a safe family SUV.
Subaru's midsize SUV earns top safety scores
The Subaru Outback earned excellent IIHS crashworthiness, crash avoidance and mitigation, and seat belt and child restraint scores. It has strong build quality and is loaded with standard safety features like pre-collision braking and reverse automatic braking.
Subaru's Outback midsize SUV is one of my favorite new cars of the year because it's rugged, affordable, and practical. It starts at just $34,995 and comfortably seats five occupants.
The 2026 Subaru Outback is a good option for outdoor enthusiasts and families who need a safe daily driver that's built to last. I would buy it for Subaru's strong reliability scores, the Outback's generous safety features, and the vehicle's ability to conquer mild off-roading obstacles and adapt to tricky terrain.
Subaru's Outback is one of my top midsize SUV choices as a driver who regularly goes on road trips and needs a dependable SUV.
2026 Kia K4 is one of the most affordable safe new cars
Kia's K4 is easily one of the cheapest new cars on the IIHS' list of top safety picks. It isn't just affordable — it also provides great value thanks to a long list of standard features and decent performance specs.
The 2026 Kia K4 starts at $22,290 and is available as a sedan or hatchback. The sedan is a Top Safety Pick+ winner and earned strong scores for crashworthiness and front crash prevention.
Kia's affordable small car comes standard with driver attention warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, and lane-keeping assist. I tested the hatchback's GT-Line Turbo trim and found it to be a blast to drive.
I would buy the 2026 Kia K4 for its high safety scores, affordable starting price, and exciting trim levels like the GT-Line Turbo. It boasts 33 miles per gallon combined and can be an engaging commuter for driving enthusiasts.
Charles Singh is an Autos Connect Reporter for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at CSingh@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 3 safe cars I'd buy with my own money as an expert car reviewer
