Whether you use the family car to drop kids to school or for that weekend trip with your family, safety should be the first priority when you buy one. Here are some of the safest family cars according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
2008 Ford Taurus
A newer model of the already impressive Ford Five Hundred, the Taurus packs more punch than its predecessor. The Taurus has side airbags mounted in the front seats as well as side-curtain and overhead airbags for all seats. Dads can also drive safer with the Taurus’ AdvanceTrac electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, and automatically tightening seatbelts. The Taurus is not all about safety though. It comes with an optional built-in hands free entertainment and communication system.
2008 Mercury Sable
Like the Taurus, the Sable is a redesigned version of an earlier model, in this case, the Mercury Montego. With its front-impact, side-impact, and overhead airbags, this family car scores maximum (5 stars) on the NHTSA frontal crash test. In addition to the anti-lock brakes and automatically tightening seatbelts, the Sable also has an ignition disable device that allows only the original car key to start the engine.
2008 Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy has a sporty, elegant feel but don’t let that fool you. This family car is one of the safest vehicles for your kids. With its front-mounted, side-impact, and overhead airbags, the Legacy shares the Sable’s 5 star score on the NHTSA’s frontal crash test. Like the Sable, the all-wheel drive Legacy has automatically tightening seatbelts, anti-lock brakes, and an ignition disable device. Besides, it also has an additional anti-whiplash feature, which consists of head restraints to protect the occupant’s head in the event of an accident.