Safety is likely a top concern if you're looking for a new vehicle for your family. That's where a new study comes in handy. It's the Top 10 Safest Vehicles for Families as compiled by The Texas Law Dog. Nine vehicles on the list are SUVs, with one minivan making the cut. Honda is the only brand to appear more than once on the list.
The initial list of safe cars used in the study was sourced from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). A composite safety score was then calculated based on crashes per 1000 cars, overall interior volume, seat capacity, child seat number, and child seat safety score. The child seat safety score is derived from the IIHS rankings, which classify safety in descending order as Good+ (extra LATCH positions), Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor. The price of the cars was also added for context.
Here are the results summed up, with comments from study researchers.
TLD: The Audi Q7 leads the pack with a composite safety score of 91.32, making it the top choice for family safety. It has a low crash rate of 0.7554 per 1,000 cars, a spacious interior with 144.10 cubic feet, and seats seven adults. Additionally, it accommodates five child seats, all rated Good+ for safety. Priced at $61,695, the Audi Q7 combines luxury and safety.
TLD: The Honda Pilot secures the second spot with a composite score of 86.64. It offers the second most spacious interior among the top cars, with 158.40 cubic feet, making it an ideal option for larger families. This SUV seats up to eight passengers and supports four child seats with a Good+ safety score. Despite a higher crash rate of 1.6 per 1000 cars, the Pilot remains a solid choice for its roomy interior and family-friendly features, priced at $48,485.
TLD: The Subaru Ascent ranks third with a composite score of 85.76. It stands out for its affordability, with the lowest average price among the top three at $42,765.The car offers ample space, providing 153.50 cubic feet for seven passengers and supports three child seats with a Good+ safety score. With a crash rate of 0.7883 per 1,000 cars, it strikes a balance between safety and cost-effectiveness, making it an excellent choice for families.
TLD: The Hyundai Palisade takes the fourth place, having some of the lowest crash rates in the top 5 at just 0.1057 per 1000 cars. This SUV offers an expansive interior of 155.30 cubic feet and seats up to eight passengers. Priced at $41,406, the second lowest in top 5, it accommodates three child seats with an Acceptable safety score, highlighting its commitment to family safety at an affordable price.
TLD: Rounding out the top five, the INFINITI QX60 combines luxury with safety, having a composite safety score of 83.28. It supports three child seats with a Good+ safety score. The QX60 offers 140.60 cubic feet of interior space for seven passengers.Having a crash rate of 0.9 per 1000 cars, it is a premium choice for families seeking both luxury and safety, priced at $46,725.
TLD: The Honda Odyssey secures the sixth spot with a composite safety score of 80.46. It offers the most spacious interior on the list at 163.60 cubic feet, making it the ideal choice for families needing extra room. The Odyssey seats up to eight passengers and supports four child seats with a Good+ safety score. Priced at $45,700, it remains a practical option for larger families even with a higher crash rate of 2.8 per 1000 cars.
TLD: The Mazda CX-50 earns a composite safety score of 80.32, and ranks seventh, notable for having the lowest crash rate on the list at just 0.0061 per 1000 cars. Priced at $38,220 (the lowest on the list), it offers the least interior volume at 129.70 cubic feet and seats five passengers. It supports two child seats with a Good+ safety score, making it a compact yet safe option for smaller families.
TLD: The Tesla Model Y is recognized for its advanced safety features and has a composite safety score of 79.08 ranking it eighth. With the third least crash rate of 0.04 per 1000 cars, it provides a spacious interior of 152.70 cubic feet and seats seven passengers. Priced at $48,490, it supports two child seats with an Acceptable safety score, reflecting Tesla's commitment to innovation and safety.
TLD: The Acura MDX ranks ninth with a composite score of 78.96. This premium SUV offers a comfortable interior volume of 139.10 cubic feet and seats seven passengers. Priced at $64,275, the most expensive in the list, it supports three child seats with a Good+ safety score, combining luxury with family safety.
TLD: Rounding out the top ten, the BMW X1 has a composite safety score of 77.63. It offers a compact interior of 138.20 cubic feet and seats five passengers. Priced at $46,195, it supports two child seats with a Good safety score. With the second lowest crash rate of 0.02 per 1000 cars, the BMW X1 is a reliable choice for smaller families seeking a safe, compact SUV.
Research and study courtesy of The Texas Law Dog: https://thetexaslawdog.com/