Current minivan comparison · September 2026

Safest Minivans of 2026

Every current minivan is compared with the same published formula. Unknown results stay provisional; they are never counted as passing.

See the ranking

The safest minivan of 2026 is the 2026 Toyota Sienna at 74.4/100. That is the highest score among minivans with a complete IIHS record. No current minivan with a published result earns Good in the IIHS rear-passenger test.

Every 2026 Minivan Ranked by Safety

Coverage shows published primary tests and selected protection details. Only complete records receive a rank. Missing evidence never counts as passing.

RankVehicleIIHS awardUpdated moderate overlapRear restraints and kinematicsUpdated side testScore
1 2026 Toyota Sienna No current award Marginal Poor Good 74.4
2 2027 Honda Odyssey No current award Poor Acceptable Good 73.9
2 2026 Chrysler Pacifica No current award Marginal Acceptable Acceptable 73.9

Main ranking: 55% primary IIHS tests · 25% selected details · 10% pedestrian front crash prevention · 10% class context. The score is a comparison aid; it does not evaluate child-seat fit, cargo room, or reliability. See how the ranking works.

No current minivan in this comparison carries an IIHS safety award.

Minivans still waiting on complete IIHS results

These vehicles are shown because their published results are useful. Missing tests keep them out of the numbered ranking; missing never means failed or passed.

VehicleCoverageUpdated moderate overlapRear restraints and kinematicsUpdated side testSmall-overlap frontHeadlights
2026 Chrysler Voyager 3/4 primary tests Not reported Not reported Acceptable Good Poor
2026 Kia Carnival 3/4 primary tests Marginal Acceptable Acceptable Good Not reported
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz 2/4 primary tests Good Not reported Not reported Not reported Acceptable

Minivans still struggle in the test that includes a rear passenger

IIHS introduced the updated moderate overlap front test in 2022. It places a Hybrid III dummy representing a small woman or 12-year-old child in the rear seat and evaluates injury measures plus how well the restraints control the dummy’s motion. Among the current minivans with a published result, 1 of 5 earn Good in the updated test overall and 0 of 4 earn Good for rear-passenger restraints and kinematics.

Submarining

If the pelvis slides beneath the lap belt, the belt can load the abdomen instead of the stronger pelvis. The updated test examines belt position and dummy motion; a low rating does not mean every vehicle failed in exactly the same way.

Excessive forward motion

Too much head or torso excursion can leave a rear occupant vulnerable to the front seat or other interior structures. The restraints-and-kinematics result captures how well the belt and airbags manage that motion.

Read the result narrowly

Marginal or Poor here does not mean a minivan performs poorly in every crash test. It identifies a weakness in this demanding frontal scenario—one that matters because families routinely use the second row.

Read the IIHS test protocol.

Minivan Safety Ratings by Model

The five IIHS results that matter most for each popular minivan. Click a model for its full record.

Test results and awards were checked against the current IIHS minivan summary at IIHS. Headlight ratings vary by trim; the listed result is the one IIHS reports for the model year.

Minivan Safety Questions

What is the safest minivan in 2026?

The 2026 Toyota Sienna is the highest-scoring minivan with a complete IIHS record in our 2026 comparison, at 74.4/100.

Is the Toyota Sienna safe?

The 2026 Toyota Sienna rates Marginal in the updated IIHS moderate-overlap front test, Poor for rear-passenger restraints and kinematics, and Good in the updated side test. It ranks #1 of 3 minivans with complete records, scoring 74.4/100. The weak rear-seat result is the main reason it trails the Pacifica and Odyssey.

Is a minivan safer than an SUV?

Not automatically. The body style does not decide the outcome; the exact model does. Several current three-row SUVs earn Good for rear-passenger restraints in the updated IIHS moderate-overlap test, while only 0 of 4 current minivans with a published result do. Compare the specific vehicles on our minivan vs. SUV safety page before deciding. Minivan vs. SUV safety compared.

Why do minivans score poorly for rear passengers?

In 2022 IIHS added a rear-seat dummy, sized like a small woman or 12-year-old, to its moderate-overlap front test. Of the 4 current minivans with a published rear-restraints result, 0 earn Good. The test found problems such as the lap belt sliding up onto the abdomen (submarining) and excessive forward head motion. It reflects one demanding frontal crash, not every crash type.

Compare the exact vehicles, not just the body styles

Some current three-row SUVs have stronger complete IIHS records, but an SUV badge is not proof of safety. Compare the exact model year and rear-passenger result, then weigh child-seat fit, access, cargo space, and the way your family will use the vehicle.

Minivan vs. SUV safetyWhich body style has the stronger IIHS record right now Safest family SUVsEvery current 3-row SUV ranked Safest 7-seat vehiclesMinivans and SUVs for three rows Fitting 3 child seatsWhy fit must be checked in the exact vehicle Safest midsize SUVsThe most common minivan alternative Safest cars under $40,000Strong records at minivan prices

Current IIHS results and awards · Updated September 2026 · How the ranking works