Rivian R1S Is Still the Safest Large SUV From an American Automaker

The R1S just earned its third IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation, this time for 2026, and it’s still the only large SUV from an American automaker to hold that title this year.

That’s not a small thing. IIHS keeps raising the bar, and this year they made it harder by tightening requirements around rear seat occupant protection and pedestrian safety. The R1S cleared it anyway.

The R1T also held onto its 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK designation going into 2026, so both flagship models are still in good shape on the safety front.

I drive both of these vehicles regularly, and whenever someone asks me why I recommend them, the conversation always starts with the tech. But safety is just as much a part of that answer. Rivian built these trucks from the ground up with that in mind, and the IIHS results back it up year after year.

For owners, this is basically confirmation that the R1S isn’t just a great adventure vehicle, it’s one of the safest things you can put your family in. And for Rivian, it’s meaningful validation that their engineering priorities are showing up where it counts.