Choosing the right vehicle for your family is an important decision that requires consideration of a multitude of factors. While things like price and comfort, gas mileage and looks are all things that might play into the type of vehicle you purchase for your family, one of the biggest things you should consider is safety.
For parents, there are few things more important than keeping your children safe. Read on for some of the safest family vehicles currently on the market in various vehicle styles.
Safest Family Vehicles: Compact & Small Cars
Have a smaller family? U.S. News and World Report named the Mazda Mazda3 the best compact car for families. It also was a Top Safety Pick+ when purchased with the optional front crash prevention system. It applies to the four-door hatchbacks and sedans produced after October 2013.
The Toyota Prius is also a Top Safety Pick+ vehicle and was a finalist in the U.S. News and World Report listing of best hatchback vehicles for families. The Top Safety Pick+ designation only applies when choosing a vehicle with the optional front crash prevention system.
Safest Family Vehicles: Midsize Cars
Need a bit more room than that offered by a compact or smaller vehicle? Then a midsize sedan may be perfect. The Mazda Mazda6 was U.S. News and World Report’s winner for best midsize family car, and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ when it has the optional front crash prevention system.
The Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion Hybrid were runners up in the best midsize family vehicles category. The Fusion is a Top Safety Pick+ with the front crash prevention, and the Camry is a Top Safety Pick.
Safest Family Vehicles: SUVs and Minivans
The next size up is the SUV and minivan category. The Mazda CX-5 was a Top Safety Pick+ with front crash prevention and was the choice for best compact SUV for families. The Nissan Rogue was also a Top Safety Pick+ with front crash prevention, and was a finalist for best compact SUV.
The Acura MDX won the title of best luxury, three-row midsize SUV for families and was also a Top Safety Pick+ model with front crash prevention. Finally, the Honda Odyssey won the best minivan for families from U.S. News and World Report. It was the only minivan to win the Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS (again, when equipped with the optional front crash prevention).
Choosing a Safe Family Vehicle
The vehicles mentioned above may be good options based on their safety ratings from the IIHS, as well as their designation as a winner or finalist in one of the Best Cars for Families categories from U.S. News and World Report.
But they’re not the only vehicles that earned either distinction. Check out the full list of U.S. News winners as well as vehicles that received IIHS honors. Also consider the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) five-star rating system for each vehicle.
Here are some more tips for choosing a family vehicle.
- See if strollers fit. If you want to buy a sedan but have a stroller you’re concerned won’t fit, bring it with you to the dealership and see if it actually fits into the new vehicle.
- Research all safety features. Do research about the safety features available on the vehicles you’re interested in, as well as other vehicles on the market. This could open your eyes to another vehicle you didn’t consider.
- Know what’s included. Some vehicles might be advertised with optional safety features. Know exactly what you’re getting in the actual vehicle you’re buying.
Cordisco & Saile LLC Provides Legal Help after an Accident
Choosing one of the safest family vehicles on the market can reduce risk of an accident and risk of injury in the event of a crash, but accidents still can and do happen. If you’re ever in an accident, get help from Cordisco & Saile LLC. You can reach us by calling our office at 215-642-2335 or via our contact page form.
