The 2027 Honda Passport is the best two-row SUV: IIHS gives the 2026 Passport a Top Safety Pick+ with Good in small overlap, moderate overlap, side, headlights and both front crash prevention tests, and Honda says it seats five adults from $45,195. The 2027 Kia Sportage is #2 and the lowest price here at $28,990, and the 2026 Mazda CX-50 is #3. A two-row SUV seats five on a front row and one rear bench, with no third row to fold away, so the floor behind the rear seat is yours for cargo.
Answrs VerdictAn all-Good Top Safety Pick+ from $45,195.
Price (maker site, read October 2026): $45,195 starting MSRP (2027 Passport RTL)Seating: Seats five adultsIIHS (2026 rating): Top Safety Pick+ for the 2026 Passport; Good in small overlap, moderate overlap, side, headlights and both front crash prevention testsFuel economy: 19/25 mpg city/hwyPower and towing: 280-hp 3.5L V6; towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs
The 2026 Passport is the only SUV here with a Good in all six headline IIHS tests, and it carries a Top Safety Pick+. Honda lists the 2027 Passport from $45,195, with a 280-hp 3.5L V6, 19/25 mpg city/hwy, towing of up to 5,000 lbs and seating for five adults.
Go ifThe only pick with a Good in every headline IIHS test
Skip ifYou want the lowest price here
Why #1 over #2: Its headlights are Good on every trim, where the Sportage’s are Good or Acceptable depending on trim.
2
2027 Kia Sportage (MY2027)
Answrs VerdictA Top Safety Pick+ from $28,990.
Price (maker site, read October 2026): $28,990 starting MSRP (2027 Sportage)Seating: 5 seats (KBB specs)IIHS (2026 rating): Top Safety Pick+ (award applies only to vehicles built after May 2025); Good in small overlap, moderate overlap and side tests, whiplash prevention Acceptable; headlights Good or Acceptable depending on trimFuel economy: Sportage Hybrid: EPA-estimated 41 mpg combined on LX, S and EX FWD trimsCargo volume (KBB): 74.1 cu ft
The 2027 Sportage is a Top Safety Pick+ for vehicles built after May 2025, with Good in small overlap, moderate overlap and side tests. Kia lists it from $28,990, the lowest price here, and the Sportage Hybrid is rated 41 mpg combined on LX, S and EX FWD trims.
Go ifThe lowest price and a Top Safety Pick+
Skip ifYou want a midsize body
Why #2 over #3: Its front crash prevention (vehicle-to-vehicle) is Good, where the CX-50’s is Acceptable, and it costs $28,990 against $29,900.
3
2026 Mazda CX-50 (MY2026)
Answrs VerdictA rugged Top Safety Pick+ from $29,900.
Price (maker site, read October 2026): $29,900 starting price (2026 CX-50)Seating: 5 passengersIIHS (2026 rating): Top Safety Pick+ for the 2026 CX-50 (small SUV class); Good in all three crash tests, whiplash prevention PoorFuel economy: 26 mpg combinedTowing: Up to 3,500 lbs when properly equipped
The 2026 CX-50 is a Top Safety Pick+ with Good in all three crash tests, though whiplash prevention is Poor. Mazda lists it from $29,900 with 5 passengers, 26 mpg combined and towing of up to 3,500 lbs when properly equipped.
Go ifA Top Safety Pick+ for under $30,000
Skip ifYou want the best whiplash protection
Why #3 over #4: It has the same count of Good ratings as the CX-70 for $29,900 against $42,750.
4
2026 Mazda CX-70 (MY2026)
Answrs VerdictA midsize Top Safety Pick+ from $42,750.
Price (maker site, read October 2026): $42,750 starting price (2026 CX-70 Inline 6 Turbo)Seating: 5 passengers; Mazda lists it as a 2-Row SUVIIHS (2026 rating): Top Safety Pick+ for the 2026 CX-70; Good in all three crash tests, front crash prevention (vehicle-to-vehicle) AcceptableFuel economy: 25 mpg combinedCargo volume (KBB): 75.3 cu ft
The 2026 CX-70 is a Top Safety Pick+ with Good in all three crash tests and Acceptable front crash prevention (vehicle-to-vehicle). Mazda lists it from $42,750 as a 2-Row SUV with 5 passengers and 25 mpg combined, and KBB gives its cargo volume as 75.3 cu ft.
Go ifA midsize two-row with a straight-six
Skip ifYou want the lowest price
Why #4 over #5: It has the same count of Good ratings as the Murano and starts at $42,750 against $43,990.
5
2027 Nissan Murano (2025 redesign)
Answrs VerdictA two-row Top Safety Pick+ from $43,990.
Price (maker site, read October 2026): $43,990 starting MSRP (2027 Murano SL)Seating: Nissan calls it a 2-Row midsize SUVIIHS (2026 rating): Top Safety Pick+ (rating applies to 2025-27 models); Good in all three crash tests, headlights AcceptableFuel economy: 21/27/23 mpg city/hwy/combinedPower: 241-horsepower VC-Turbo engine with a 9-speed automatic
The 2027 Murano is a Top Safety Pick+ with Good in all three crash tests and Acceptable headlights. Nissan calls it a 2-Row midsize SUV from $43,990, with a 241-horsepower VC-Turbo engine and 21/27/23 mpg city/hwy/combined.
Go ifA midsize two-row with a Top Safety Pick+
Skip ifYou want the lowest midsize price
Why #5 over #6: It holds a Top Safety Pick+, where the RX has no IIHS award.
6
2027 Lexus RX (2023 redesign)
Answrs VerdictA 36-mpg luxury two-row from $55,450.
Price (maker site, read October 2026): $55,450 starting MSRP (2027 RX, five trims)Seating: 5 seats (KBB)IIHS (2026 rating): No award listed; Good in small overlap and side tests, Poor in the moderate overlap test; headlights GoodFuel economy: RX 350h: 37/34/36 mpg city/hwy/combinedCargo volume (KBB): 46.2 cu ft
IIHS lists no award for the RX: it is Good in small overlap and side tests and has Good headlights, but Poor in the moderate overlap test. Lexus lists the 2027 RX from $55,450, and the RX 350h is rated 37/34/36 mpg city/hwy/combined. KBB lists 5 seats and 46.2 cu ft of cargo volume.
Go ifLuxury and a 36-mpg hybrid
Skip ifModerate overlap crash results matter most
Why #6 over #7: It earns Good in four of the six headline IIHS tests, one more than the Bronco Sport.
7
2026 Ford Bronco Sport (MY2026)
Answrs VerdictA compact trail pick from $31,845.
Price (maker site, read October 2026): $31,845 starting MSRP (2026 Bronco Sport)Seating: Max seating capacity of 5IIHS (2026 rating): No award listed; small overlap Good, moderate overlap Marginal, side Acceptable, whiplash prevention Poor; headlights GoodInterior volume: 105.6 cu ft passenger volume without the moonroof
IIHS lists no award for the Bronco Sport: small overlap is Good and headlights are Good, but moderate overlap is Marginal, side is Acceptable and whiplash prevention is Poor. Ford lists the 2026 model from $31,845 with a max seating capacity of 5 and 105.6 cu ft of passenger volume without the moonroof.
Go ifA compact off-roader with seating for five
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award
Why #7 over #8: It earns Good in three of the six headline IIHS tests, one more than the Grand Cherokee.
8
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee (2-row, MY2026)
Answrs VerdictA 6,200-lb tower from $38,920.
Price (maker site, read October 2026): $38,920 starting MSRP (2026 Grand Cherokee, 2-row)Seating: Seating capacity of 5; maximum interior cargo volume of 70.8 cu ft (spec page)IIHS (2026 rating): No award listed; Good in small overlap and side tests, headlights Acceptable; no moderate overlap rating shownPower: 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo with 324 horsepower and 23 mpg combinedTowing: Towing capacity of 6,200 lbs (spec page)
IIHS lists no award for the 2-row Grand Cherokee: small overlap and side are Good and headlights are Acceptable, and no moderate overlap rating is shown. Jeep lists it from $38,920 with seating for 5, 70.8 cu ft of maximum cargo, a 324-horsepower 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo and towing of 6,200 lbs.
Go ifThe most towing here at 6,200 lbs
Skip ifYou want a rated moderate overlap result
Why #8 over #9: It has the same count of Good ratings as the Bronco and starts at $38,920 against $41,295.
9
2026 Ford Bronco (4-door, MY2026)
Answrs VerdictA four-door trail icon from $41,295.
Price (maker site, read October 2026): $41,295 starting MSRP (2026 Bronco Base, 2-door or 4-door); the 4-door Big Bend starts at $41,995Seating: Seating for 5 in the 4-door (the 2-door seats 4)IIHS (2026 rating): No award listed; small overlap Good, moderate overlap Marginal, side Good, headlights MarginalCargo: Maximum cargo capacity of 83.0 cu ft in 4-door models with the soft topTowing: Most Bronco SUVs can tow up to 3,500 lbs
IIHS lists no award for the Bronco: small overlap and side are Good, but moderate overlap and headlights are Marginal. Ford lists the 2026 Bronco Base from $41,295 as a 2-door or 4-door, with the 4-door Big Bend from $41,995; the 4-door seats 5 and holds up to 83.0 cu ft with the soft top.
Go ifOpen-air off-roading with a four-door body
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award
Why #9 over #10: IIHS rates it in all three crash tests, where the Blazer’s page shows only small overlap.
10
2026 Chevrolet Blazer (MY2026)
Answrs VerdictA sporty five-seater from $34,300.
Price (maker site, read October 2026): $34,300 starting price (2026 Blazer 2LT)Seating: Seating for up to fiveIIHS (2026 rating): No award listed; small overlap Good; no moderate overlap or side rating shownCargo: Standard 64.2 cu ft of max cargo spacePower: 2.0L turbo four-cylinder with 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque
IIHS lists no award for the Blazer, and its page shows only a Good small overlap result with no moderate overlap or side rating. Chevrolet lists the 2026 Blazer 2LT from $34,300 with seating for up to five, 64.2 cu ft of max cargo and a 228-horsepower 2.0L turbo four-cylinder.
Go ifA sporty two-row at a midsize price
Skip ifYou want a full set of IIHS crash results
How we ranked these
We ranked SUVs sold new in the US with two rows and five seats as their only layout, using each maker’s own starting price as read in October 2026, and left out any SUV offered with a third row. The order is the IIHS award first, then the number of Good ratings among six headline IIHS tests (small overlap, moderate overlap, side, headlights, front crash prevention for vehicles and for pedestrians), then the lowest starting price. A headlights rating counts as Good only when every trim earns it, and a test IIHS has not rated counts as not Good. The Bronco is listed in a 2-door or 4-door body and only the 4-door has five seats. The Sportage and CX-50 are IIHS small SUVs and the Bronco Sport is a small SUV too, so they are smaller than the rest. Prices exclude destination fees and vary by trim. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is a two-row SUV?
A two-row SUV has a front row and one rear bench and seats five. Mazda lists the CX-70 as a 2-Row SUV with 5 passengers, and Nissan calls the Murano a 2-Row midsize SUV.
What is the best two-row SUV in 2027?
The 2027 Honda Passport: IIHS gives the 2026 Passport a Top Safety Pick+ with Good in small overlap, moderate overlap, side, headlights and both front crash prevention tests, and it starts at $45,195.
Which two-row SUV is cheapest?
The 2027 Kia Sportage starts lowest at $28,990, followed by the 2026 Mazda CX-50 at $29,900 and the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport at $31,845.
Which two-row SUVs have a Top Safety Pick+?
IIHS lists a Top Safety Pick+ for the Honda Passport, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-50, Mazda CX-70 and Nissan Murano on this list.
Starting price from the maker site, read October 2026 (USD) at a glance
2027 Kia Sportage (MY2027)$28,990
2026 Mazda CX-50 (MY2026)$29,900
2026 Ford Bronco Sport (MY2026)$31,845
2026 Chevrolet Blazer (MY2026)$34,300
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee (2-row, MY2026)$38,920
2026 Ford Bronco (4-door, MY2026)$41,295
2026 Mazda CX-70 (MY2026)$42,750
2027 Nissan Murano (2025 redesign)$43,990
2027 Honda Passport (2026 redesign)$45,195
2027 Lexus RX (2023 redesign)$55,450
Starting price from the maker site, read October 2026 (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
