This article will discuss the five safest cars on the market right now that have passed the tests with flying colours and are thus ideal for families.
Car safety has come a long way over the years. From the days of a quite basic understanding that did not stretch much beyond the need for speed limits and seatbelts, we have arrived at the sophisticated testing of the modern era.
These safety tests are carried out by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). New cars are subjected to crash tests from the sides and front, as well as rollover ones, with ratings given to each vehicle for its ability to withstand such impacts plus how it safeguards against them.
Research on how a car is rated for safety
It is very important to do research on how a car is rated for safety when you are looking to make a purchase. If you have children who will be riding in the car regularly with you or your spouse, you will want to be sure that they are not at risk by doing so.
Pay attention to safety ratings
Paying attention to the safety ratings given to vehicles before they hit the shops will do a lot to help you find one that can offer that peace of mind. Safety remains an issue post-purchase too though, which means getting it checked regularly and being sure to replace worn-out car tires with quality new ones from ranges like Mastercraft.
What are the safest cars on the market right now?
Here are the five safest cars on the market right now that have passed the tests with flying colors and are thus ideal for families.
Honda Odyssey
This minivan is a huge seller and deservedly so because it really is at the top of the class when it comes to driver and passenger safety. Having been submitted for rollover, side and front crash testing, it scored 4 stars out of 5 for the first and 5 for the latter two tests.
It is a sizeable car that is targeted at large families and that means safety must be a primary consideration.
Volkswagen Polo
This vehicle from Volkswagen is the safest small car you can currently buy. Indeed, its 5-star overall rating for safety means it ranks better than most large ones.
When it comes to protecting the adult occupants of the car, the Polo scored 94% in tests, while for protecting child passengers, the score was 80%. It comes with technology for detecting pedestrians in advance and emergency braking as standard, so you cannot go wrong with it.
Honda Ridgeline
This is a mid-sized vehicle and it bested all of its rivals in that field during safety testing. It scored 5 stars overall compared with the 4 stars for similar cars like the Ford Ranger and the Chevrolet Colorado.
It is probably the middle-sized family vehicle that is best equipped to cope with crashes, either head-on or from the side. That makes it another reliable choice for anyone who has children.
Audi A1
Next to the Polo, this is the top small car for passenger safety. Indeed, its results during tests for both adult and child passengers were close to being exactly the same as those for the Volkswagen.
It has a lot in common with it in terms of appearance and interior safety features. It is a little more expensive than its main rival though, so which one you decide to go for may be influenced by your budget as much as safety matters.
Ford Expedition
This is an SUV, and it is overtaking competitors in that market – mostly because it is safer. The Expedition achieved a 4-star rating when tested for rollover crashes, with a perfect 5-star score in all of the other safety tests.
Features designed to protect the occupants include a steering assist and a device for helping drivers to stay in the center of their driving lanes.
Everything from the car itself to the tires and the seating can affect overall safety, so it is important to be aware of these things.
