IIHS vs NHTSA: Comparing Ratings for Safest 3-Row SUVs Choosing the safest 3-row SUV for your family is easier when you combine two complementary scorecards: the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). IIHS highlights how well a vehicle’s structure and driver-assistance tech protect people in real crashes, while NHTSA’s 5‑Star system adds a clear read on frontal, side, and rollover risk. In this guide, we explain how each …