When choosing a family car, safety is the top priority, especially for spacious three-row SUVs that act like a ‘Swiss Army knife’ for modern families needing room for passengers and cargo. Automakers understand this, continuously improving their engineering to offer the best protection, knowing how much time you’ll spend driving with your loved ones.
To navigate the myriad options available, consumers turn to authoritative sources like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the U.S. government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Each year, these independent organizations meticulously test and rate as many vehicles as possible, providing invaluable data on crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and occupant protection. Their rigorous evaluations, which have been strengthened for three consecutive years, form the bedrock of our understanding of vehicle safety.
This in-depth guide is designed to simplify your search for the safest three-row SUV for 2025. We’ve meticulously compiled a list of vehicles that have earned either a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award and, if tested, also scored a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. These distinctions signify a commitment to advanced safety, offering families peace of mind on every journey. Let’s delve into the specifics of these top performers, beginning with the first half of our carefully curated selections.
1. **2025 Acura MDX**The 2025 Acura MDX establishes itself as one of the safest luxury three-row SUVs, earning a commendable 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick award, which is the institute’s second-highest distinction. In IIHS testing, the MDX garnered mostly good ratings, with three acceptable grades noted for the updated moderate overlap front test and for both the standard vehicle-to-vehicle and optional pedestrian crash prevention systems. This performance underscores its robust protective capabilities in various collision scenarios.
The front-wheel-drive (FWD) MDX impressively earned NHTSA’s highest five-star overall safety rating, including five stars in the side impact test. While it received four stars for frontal crash and rollover resistance, the all-wheel-drive (AWD) model boasts identical front and side impact scores, reinforcing its strong safety credentials.
Acura has significantly enhanced the MDX’s safety offerings for 2025, with an upgraded AcuraWatch suite that features a more advanced range of driver assists. Standard equipment encompasses automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed following and cornering speed assist. Additionally, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, and automatic high-beams are included. For added security, available features extend to front and rear parking sensors and low-speed braking control. The performance-oriented Type S trim further elevates safety with AcuraWatch 360, introducing active lane change assist, lane change collision mitigation, and front cross-traffic warning.
From a practical perspective, the 2025 MDX offers significant upgrades, most notably a much-needed infotainment touchscreen that replaces the previous fussy touchpad controls, freeing up more console storage. Although the Acura’s largest model is a good value, some European competitors like the BMW X5 offer better driving dynamics, and the Type S model might not be as quick as its name suggests.
2. **2025 Audi Q7**Moving to another luxury contender, the 2025 Audi Q7 has earned IIHS’s highest accolade, the 2025 Top Safety Pick+. This prestigious award reflects its strong performance in most evaluations, with the Q7 receiving several good ratings. However, the vehicle did show some areas for improvement within the Crash Avoidance and Mitigation subset of tests.
Specifically, the Q7 received acceptable ratings for headlights on certain trims equipped with LED reflector high-beams. The standard front impact prevention system with pedestrian detection also received an acceptable grade. A notable concern, however, was a poor grade (the lowest possible) in a vehicle-to-vehicle version of the test where a motorcycle was the target. On the NHTSA front, this SUV secured a five-star overall safety rating, including five stars in the side impact test, but only four stars in both the front impact and rollover assessments.
Every 2025 Q7 comes standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features to protect occupants and help prevent accidents. This includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and parking sensors. For even more advanced help, you can opt for a 360-degree camera and Audi’s smart self-parking system, Remote Park Assist.
The Audi Q7 offers a comfortable ride for daily driving, though some aspects are worth noting for buyers. Its available run-flat tires can make the ride a bit firm, and the turbocharged four-cylinder engine can get noisy and isn’t very fuel-efficient when pushed hard. However, the optional air suspension does a great job smoothing out bumps, and performance fans will love the SQ7 variant. The interior is high-tech with a brilliant display, but cargo space is less than some rivals, and the third row is snug for adults, despite overall design improvements.
3. **2025 Chevrolet Traverse**The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse demonstrates a solid commitment to safety, earning a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick designation. In IIHS evaluations, the Traverse received more good than acceptable ratings across various tests, indicating strong crashworthiness. However, a marginal rating was noted specifically for the seatbelt reminder volume, an area that could see improvement. NHTSA awarded the Chevrolet its top honor, a five-star overall safety rating, which included five stars in both front and side impact tests. Its rollover resistance evaluation, however, resulted in a four-star rating.
Safety is a fundamental aspect of the 2025 Traverse, equipped with the standard Chevy Safety Assist suite. This package includes front automatic emergency braking for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, plus adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, high-beam assist, intersection collision avoidance, and reverse automatic braking. For advanced assistance, Chevy’s Super Cruise hands-free driving technology is also available or standard depending on the trim.
Beyond its safety features, the Traverse offers a compelling package for families. It boasts a powerful turbocharged engine and a user-friendly cabin that incorporates large displays and abundant technology, making for an intuitive and engaging experience. Aesthetically, its exterior styling is often likened to a miniature Tahoe, giving it a robust and familiar presence. However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. Its fuel economy is noted as mediocre, and the absence of an available electrified powertrain is a significant oversight in today’s market. While the cabin is well laid out and functional, its overall styling leans towards the dull side, which might not appeal to all buyers.
4. **2025 Genesis GV80**The 2025 Genesis GV80 stands out in the luxury segment for its exceptional safety performance, achieving a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. This recognition is largely due to the GV80 receiving almost all good ratings in IIHS crash tests, showcasing its superior protective capabilities. The single exception was an acceptable grade for the lower child seat anchors, which were found to be positioned too deep in the outboard driver side second-row seat, a minor but important detail for parents. For 2025, NHTSA testing results are incomplete, but the GV80 has so far received four stars in the administration’s frontal crash and rollover tests, with other grades pending.
The 2025 GV80 SUV is packed with advanced safety and driver assistance features standard. These include forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic avoidance, and safe exit assistance. It also has adaptive cruise control and Genesis’ advanced Highway Driving Assist 2. Available options for better visibility and maneuvering include a blind-spot view monitor, parking sensors, high-beam assist, and a 360-degree camera.
The interior of the GV80 is a strong selling point, renowned for its excellent quality, elegant styling, and the use of high-quality materials that create a truly premium ambiance. The cabin is also equipped with modern technology, further elevating the user experience. This year’s model sees slight improvements in handling, contributing to a more refined drive. On the downside, the GV80 is exclusively offered with inefficient, gas-only powertrains, which can be a concern for those prioritizing fuel economy or looking for an electrified option. Furthermore, some might find a lack of overt sportiness in its driving dynamics. Despite these points, the GV80 remains a solid value proposition, offering an impressive array of features for its price point.
5.The 2025 Honda Pilot has earned the IIHS 2025 Top Safety Pick award, confirming its excellent safety for families, with good ratings in most crash tests, showing strong structural integrity. It received an ‘acceptable’ rating only in the updated moderate front overlap test, indicating a small area for improvement. NHTSA also awarded the Pilot a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side impacts and four stars in frontal and rollover tests.
Honda equips the 2025 Pilot with a strong foundation of standard driver assistance features. These include automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high-beams, all designed to enhance driver awareness and mitigate potential hazards. For those opting for higher trim levels, additional safety technologies are unlocked, such as blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors, providing even greater peace of mind during daily commutes and longer journeys.
One of the Pilot’s notable strengths lies in its good on-road dynamics, making it a pleasant vehicle to drive. The SUV is quick and delivers a comfortable ride, although some drivers might desire more torque from its V-6 engine, especially in certain driving situations. The prospect of a hybrid model could address this, potentially improving both power delivery and overall efficiency. Inside, space is plentiful, offering generous room for passengers and cargo, and the build quality is consistently top-notch. However, a common critique relates to the size of the infotainment touchscreens; neither the standard 7.0-inch nor the available 9.0-inch screens are particularly large when compared to rivals, which might detract from the modern tech experience for some users.
6.The 2025 Infiniti QX60, the smaller of Infiniti’s two offerings, is a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick, showcasing its strong safety performance with mostly good ratings. It received one ‘acceptable’ grade in the updated moderate overlap front impact test, highlighting a specific area for development. NHTSA awarded the SUV a five-star overall safety rating, including five stars for side crashes and four stars for front and rollover resistance.
For 2025, the QX60 comes with a comprehensive suite of standard driver assist and active safety features. These include front and rear automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beams, all contributing to a safer driving experience. Moving beyond the base trim level, additional advanced features are incorporated, such as lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and emergency evasive steering assist, further bolstering its protective capabilities on the road.
The QX60’s cabin impresses with high-quality materials and thoughtful touches, creating a premium feel despite shared components with the Nissan Pathfinder. While not exceptionally sporty, it shines with a smooth, quiet, and incredibly comfortable ride, perfect for long journeys or daily commutes. The third row is predictably tight for adults but surprisingly easy to access, a practical plus for families. Overall, the QX60 prioritizes refinement and comfort over aggressive performance.
