The 5 Best Midsize SUV Recommendations for 2020, Based on Safety Rating and More

Safety ratings are important to consider when purchasing a vehicle. This article compares midsize SUV recommendations based on their 2020 safety ratings.

We’ll also take a quick look at gas mileage and spaciousness, other top considerations when choosing a vehicle.

And remember:

The safety rating of your vehicle will affect your insurance premiums. Cars with higher safety ratings have a lower risk of injuries than cars with poorer safety ratings.

Safety ratings are among the hundreds of criteria insurers consider when calculating insurance premiums.

Do you have a teen driver? These safety-conscious midsize vehicles can help you save money. Learn how safety features and other factors can help you get a discount on your insurance rating for teen drivers.

Which Midsize SUV Has the Best Safety Rating?

When it comes to midsize SUVs, there are no shortage of options. Midsize SUVs tend to receive high safety ratings, making them great choices when looking for a new vehicle.

U.S. News & World Reports determines a safety score for every vehicle they review and rank.

These scores are based on crash test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), as well as considerations of advanced safety features included as standard equipment on vehicles.

Five of the top SUV recommendations based on safety scores include:

2020 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander received an outstanding 10/10 USN Safety Score for 2020.

In all of IIHS’s crash tests, the Highlander received a score of “good” and was named one of their Top Safety Picks of 2020.

The Toyota Highlander comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver aids.

2020 Chevy Equinox

With a USN Safety Score of 9.8/10, the Equinox is another great SUV recommendation.

The Equinox received an overall safety rating of 5 stars from the NHTSA, and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

Equinox comes standard with lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection.

2020 Kia Sorrento

The 2020 model Kia Sorrento took home a 9.4/10 safety rating from USN.

This affordable midsize SUV also earned a perfect five star overall rating by the NHTSA.

In all six of IIHS’s crash tests, the Sorrento earned top marks for occupant protection.

When equipped with the optional forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and available LED headlights, the vehicle is also Top Safety Pick status by the IIHS.

2020 Honda Pilot

Also receiving a 9.4/10 USN safety score, the Honda Pilot is a midsize SUV with a host of safety features. 

Standard on the 2020 Pilot are: forward crash protection, lane departure warning, and lane departure prevention. A blind spot warning system is also available. 

NHTSA gave the 2020 Honda Pilot five out of five stars for overall occupant protection, and 4 out of 5 stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The IIHS awarded the Pilot Top Safety Pick status. 

2020 Nissan Rogue (Hybrid) 

The 2020 Nissan Rogue Hybrid scored 9.4/10 from USN as well. 

The Rogue Hybrid received 4 out of 5 stars from the NHTSA in front and rollover crash testing, and all versions of the vehicle come equipped with an array of safety features.

These include:

• rearview camera,
• automatic emergency braking
• pedestrian detection
• automatic high beams
• blind spot monitoring
• lane departure warning
• rear parking sensors
• lane keep assist
• rear cross traffic alert

Adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system are also available. 

Which Midsize SUV Gets the Best Gas Mileage?

While safety is often the top consideration when purchasing a vehicle, gas mileage is another thing we all want to know.

Here’s how the five recommendations above rank in gas mileage:

• Highlander: 21 mpg city/ 29 mpg highway
• Equinox: 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway
• Sorrento: 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway
• Pilot: 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway
• Rogue Hybrid (AWD model):  31 mpg city/34 mpg highway
  

Which Midsize SUV Has the Most Room?

With an SUV, safety is a feature not hard to find. Decent gas mileage is a pro as well. But when it comes down to it, you also want a vehicle with enough space to meet your needs. Here’s how our five recommendations break down based on space:

• Toyota Highlander: Up to three rows of seating, a maximum cargo volume of 84.3 cubic feet, and front seat head/leg room of 41”/42” respectively. 
• Chevy Equinox: Two row layout, up to 63 cubic feet of cargo volume, and front seat head/leg room of 40”/40.9”.
• Kia Sorrento: Up to three rows of seating, with a maximum cargo volume of 73 cubic feet. Front seat head and leg room are 39.5” and 44.1”, respectively.
• Honda Pilot: With the second and third rows folded down, cargo volume is 83.9 cubic feet. Head room is 40.1”, leg room is 40.9” (front seat). 
• Nissan Rogue Hybrid: Two row layout, up to 70 cubic feet of cargo space. Head and legroom 41.6” and 43”, respectively (front seat).  

Conclusion

These 5 Midsize SUVs all have high safety ratings, get good gas mileage, and offer a variety of configurations to equip you with the storage space you need.

You can’t go wrong with any of them.

When you make your choice, Paradiso is ready to help you select the best auto insurance coverage for your needs.

We look forward to hearing from you.