When it comes to family cars, safety is paramount. Over the years, car manufacturers have packed their vehicles with various safety features that would make a spaceship blush. Here’s a look at nine family cars that have taken safety to new heights. Buckle up, and let’s drive through these marvels of automotive ingenuity.
Volvo XC90
If IKEA made tanks, they would look like the Volvo XC90. This Swedish behemoth is not just about sleek Scandinavian design and roomy interiors; it’s a fortress on wheels. The XC90 is renowned for its IntelliSafe suite, which includes features like City Safety, which can detect pedestrians, cyclists, and even moose (because of Sweden). Add in the Pilot Assist system, which is like having a very cautious ghost driver, and you’ve got a family car that practically mothers you as you drive.
Honda Odyssey
Who said minivans are boring? The Honda Odyssey is the Sherlock Holmes of family cars. With its Honda Sensing suite, this minivan includes features like Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM). The pièce de résistance, however, is the Cabin Watch feature—a night vision camera that lets you see what the kids are up to in the back. Because who wouldn’t want to catch little Timmy smearing peanut butter on the upholstery in real-time?
Subaru Ascent
Subaru has always been the car brand for people who like to hike up mountains and then drive down them in the same vehicle. The Ascent is no different. This family SUV boasts the Eyesight Driver Assist Technology, which includes adaptive cruise control and pre-collision braking. It’s like having an eagle-eyed co-pilot who never blinks. Plus, with standard all-wheel drive, this car is ready for the school run and the occasional yeti sighting.
Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna is a hybrid minivan that doubles as a mobile safety bunker. Equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, it features a lane departure alert with steering assist and dynamic radar cruise control. This minivan also has a Bird’ S-Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan, which sounds like something out of a James Bond movie. Parallel parking? It’s more like an impossibility.
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is like the classic of the classics of family SUVs. With Ford Co-Pilot360, you get a plethora of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert. Its Terrain Management System ensures you can safely navigate any landscape, whether the urban jungle or an actual jungle. The Explorer’s Post-Collision Braking system is particularly noteworthy—the car says, “Don’t worry, I got this,” even after an accident.
Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is the bodyguard you didn’t know your family needed. Packed with Kia’s Drive Wise suite, it includes forward collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist. The Telluride also features Safe Exit Assist, which prevents your kids from opening the doors into oncoming traffic. It’s like having a bouncer in your car who won’t let anyone leave until it’s safe. Plus, it has won so many safety awards that it’s starting to look like the Meryl Streep of SUVs.
Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica is the minivan from the future. With its Advanced Safety Tec Group available, this car offers a 360-degree surround view camera and parallel and perpendicular park assist. It’s the only minivan where the phrase “computer on wheels” doesn’t just mean the infotainment system but the entire vehicle’s brain. With its many USB ports and an in-car vacuum, this car is ready for anything—spilled juice boxes included.
Mazda CX-9
Who said family cars can’t be stylish? The Mazda CX-9 proves that safety doesn’t have to come at the expense of looks. This SUV has Mazda’s i-Activsense, featuring radar cruise control and intelligent brake support. The CX-9’s Traffic Sign Recognition system will ensure you never miss a stop sign again, making it ideal for those prone to distracted driving (yes, I’m looking at you, Instagram checkers).
Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade is a luxury SUV that comes with a conscience. Its Hyundai Smart Sense package includes blind-spot collision-avoidance assist and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist. The Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert is a standout feature—it uses sensors to detect movement in the back seats. It reminds you if you’ve left your child or pet in the car because the Palisade knows that sometimes, even the most important things can be forgotten in the chaos of family life.
The 10 Most Reliable Car Brands According to Mechanics
When choosing a car, one of the most crucial factors is reliability. But what exactly does it mean when we say a car is reliable? Reliability refers to the vehicle’s ability to perform consistently well over time with minimal issues. A reliable car requires fewer repairs, is cost-effective to maintain, and offers peace of mind to the owner. In this article, we delve into the ten most reliable car brands according to mechanics, explaining why these brands are trusted and highlighting endorsements from institutions, car experts, and reputable websites. The 10 Most Reliable Car Brands According to Mechanics
