There is a common misconception that heavier, more rugged SUVs are safer in an accident, and in some ways, the assumption is not totally off. But this is getting less and less true with new generation Crossovers with high safety features.
Due to their build/construction, SUVs, especially in low-speed collisions do not damage as easily as lighter Crossover vehicle bodies. That also means they can be repaired easier in most instances. However, in serious accidents, the Crossover chassis and bodies are engineered with more crumple zones, like a car, which take the force of a hit and transfer less impact to a vehicle’s occupants. Obviously, this means a serious accident will “total” most Crossovers, but chances are, the passengers will have fewer bumps and bruises than a similar impact in an SUV.