Families have so many options to choose from when it comes to buying a family car. Safety is typically always one of the most important criteria when wading through the choices. An organization called the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety spends its time running tests on vehicles to determine which ones are the safest around. Here are a few of the top picks for vehicles that also boast enough room for families.
The Honda CR-V is a top safety pick plus by the IIHS. It was found to offer superior front crash protection and good crashworthiness by the head restraints and seats. The Subaru Outback is another top safety pick plus by the organization. It also provides superior front crash protection and good crashworthiness from the sides, measured by roof strength and passenger protection. The Toyota Highlander is another top safety pick plus with superior crash protection and good anchor latch mechanisms used for child seat installation. The Honda Pilot is yet another top safety pick plus by IIHS performing exceptionally well on all crash tests conducted with the vehicle. Due to the popularity of these vehicles, it becomes fairly easy to get OEM replacement parts as well. Minor parts and repairs, like seat belt and buckle replacement (if necessary) are often offered by companies like Safety Restore, which you can click this link to check out. Opting for a reliable and easily serviceable vehicle should be the goal for any family.
Minivans are a family favorite and the IIHS identified two models that performed better on testing that any others on the market: the Chrysler Pacifica and the Kia Sedona. The Chrysler Pacifica earned a top safety pick plus rating and the Kia Sedona a top safety pick. Both models performed well on all crashworthiness tests and earned high marks for front crash protection. What earned the Pacifica the plus designation was its headlight rating in addition to the crashworthiness performance.
Families also love room and conveniences when it comes to their cars. All of these models offer a bit of both. The larger minivans can comfortably seat seven or eight passengers. The larger SUVs that have third row seating options available can fit seven passengers too. Most family vehicles these days offer rear entertainment system options and other conveniences like charging stations for devices, built in vacuum cleaners for messes on the go and versatile storage capacity that busy families need. You can learn more about all of these makes and models with reviews and specifications listed on Cars.com.