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?
After a newsletter subscriber asked for a closer look at vehicle safety scores and features, I selected three cars I would personally buy. Each is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ award winner.
2026 Nissan Pathfinder: 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 such as 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 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 such as the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. It offers plenty for drivers who need a safe family SUV.
Subaru Outback: Top Safety Scores
The Subaru Outback earned excellent IIHS scores for crashworthiness, crash avoidance and mitigation, and seat belts and child restraints. It has strong build quality and is loaded with standard safety features such as pre-collision braking and reverse automatic braking.
Subaru’s midsize SUV is one of my favorite new cars of the year because it’s rugged, affordable and practical. It starts at $34,995 and comfortably seats five people.
The 2026 Subaru Outback is a good option for outdoor enthusiasts and families who need a safe daily driver built to last. I would buy it for Subaru’s strong reliability scores, the Outback’s generous safety features, and its ability to handle mild off-roading and tricky terrain.
The Outback is one of my top midsize SUV choices as a driver who regularly takes road trips and needs a dependable vehicle.
2026 Kia K4: An Affordable Safe Car
Kia’s K4 is one of the least expensive cars on the IIHS’ list of Top Safety Picks. It also offers value thanks to a long list of standard features and decent performance specifications.
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 fun to drive.
I would buy the 2026 Kia K4 for its high safety scores, affordable starting price and available trims such as the GT-Line Turbo. It gets 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.
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