Sedan, SUV, sports car, minivan...regardless of the type of vehicle, or the purpose for which it's used, for many drivers nothing is more important than the safety of their passengers. Nowhere is this more true than when those passengers are your children. Thankfully, regardless of the type of vehicle you want, there are plenty of child-friendly options. These five vehicles from different segments are all excellent choices when it comes to keeping your kids safe.
Over the last several years, the crossover segment has enjoyed growing popularity. Blending the advantages of a minivan with a traditional SUV, a crossover offers the benefits of both. Little wonder it's become a favorite among families. The 2012 Buick Enclave is an outstanding option in this category. Third-row seating, quality interior design, 116 cubic feet of cargo room and up to 24 MPG are just a few of the features that make the Enclave a standout. Most importantly, in government crash tests, the Enclave earned an overall five-star rating, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it their best score of “Good.”
$37,325 - $46,590 | Prices | Photos | Colors | Specs | Read Full Review »
Similar to the Buick Enclave, the Traverse is a crossover SUV offering a nice blend of features, performance and fuel economy. When it comes to safety, the Traverse doesn't skimp. Traction and stability control, antilock disk brakes, front seat side-impact airbags, as well as side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, are all standard on the Traverse. Like the Enclave, the Traverse scored an overall five-star rating in government crash tests, and the top score of “Good” from the IIHS.
$30,485 - $41,860 | Prices | Photos | Colors | Specs | Read Full Review »
If you're looking for a full-size sedan, the 2013 Ford Taurus offers a host of features well worth a look. With its huge trunk and roomy backseat, the Taurus proves that choosing a car doesn't mean settling for a cramped ride. When it comes to safety, Ford has included a bevy of features that will help keep your children safe. Blind spot mirrors, side-impact and side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, as well as a traction and stability control system are standard on all 2013 Taurus models. A rearview camera, rear parking sensor and a pre-collision warning system are also available, depending on the model. The Taurus scored a “Good” in the IIHS crash tests, while also scoring an overall rating of four stars in the government tests.
$26,350 - $39,995 | Prices | Photos | Colors | Specs | Read Full Review »
When it comes to luxury performance vehicles, few brands are as iconic as BMW. With a more powerful and fuel efficient turbocharged four-cylinder, delivering 240 HP and up to 34 MPG, the 5 Series is sure to turn heads. That performance doesn't come at the expense of safety, however. Not only does the 5 Series include all the usual safety systems one would expect, such as airbags and antilock brakes, it ups the ante with its stability and traction control system, which includes the ability to wipe the brake rotors dry in wet driving conditions. It's easy to see why it scored five stars in government crash tests, and the top rating of “Good” from the IIHS.
$47,795 - $50,095 | Prices | Photos | Colors | Specs | Read Full Review »
For many families, the minivan is still the king of convenience. If you fit in this category, the Honda Odyssey has much to offer. Eight-passenger seating, up to 148 cubic feet of cargo space, improved leg room over previous generations and up to 27 MPG make the Odyssey a competitive choice. When it comes to safety, the Odyssey is second to none. It scored a perfect five stars in overall, frontal and side impact government tests. The IIHS rated it a “Top Safety Pick,” while giving it a “Good” rating for frontal and side impact, as well as roof-strength crash tests.
$29,205 - $44,655 | Prices | Photos | Colors | Specs | Read Full Review »