The Best Family Cars for Child Safety

One of Audi’s latest electric cars has also turned out to be one of its safest. The new Q6 e-tron is the brand’s newest EV and continues a theme set by the older – and slightly larger e-tron – bringing a whole new level of technology as well as a spacious and practical cabin.

It’s top-notch in terms of safety, too, scoring an impressive 92 per cent during the Euro NCAP tests. In fact, it was one of 2024’s safest vehicles tested by the group and this makes it a very good option for families. Plus, though it hasn’t be on sale for too long, there are plenty of used examples available via Motors with some seriously impressive discounts to enjoy.

The ‘original crossover’ has always been a go-to for families, with the Nissan Qashqai’s well-made interior, large and user-friendly boot and efficient range of engines making it a tried-and-tested choice for this area of the market. The new Qashqai added in a more thorough use of hybrid tech to help make it even more efficient than before, too.

In the 2021 round of Euro NCAP tests, the Qashqai scored an impressive 91 per cent overall, putting it among some of the safest cars in terms of child protection. It has more to offer than just outright security, too, with plenty of on-board tech and a handily roomy interior which feels more spacious than many cars from the class size above.

As one of Mazda’s largest SUVs, the CX-60 does have a lot of physical presence out on the road but it’s backed up by excellent safety scores too. As well as its full-five stars, the CX-60 was awarded an excellent 91 per cent in the field of child occupant safety, too. It all combines to make an SUV which is very secure indeed.

It’s comfortable, too, and more dynamic than you might expect from behind the wheel. You can have it with a variety of powertrains as well, including an efficient plug-in hybrid which has the potential to deliver some serious fuel savings.

The Mercedes GLC is built in the mould of the classic SUV. There’s a reason why it has proven to be one of this brand’s most popular high-riding models; it gets all of the upmarket features you could want, as well as a good level of build quality and a well-sized boot.

A child occupant safety score of 90 per cent enough to make the GLC feel very secure indeed and it’s kitted out with a host of safety assistance systems to help make everyday driving less dangerous. It’s loaded with equipment, too, and there are plenty of engine choices to choose from including an ultra-efficient plug-in hybrid version which can return up to 80 miles of electric-only driving.

It’ll probably come as no surprise that the big, tank-like Land Rover Defender is a very safe option. But it isn’t just brute force which makes the Defender a secure option, but also the inclusion of a variety of advanced assistance systems. In fact, it scored a full five-star safety rating overall, as well as an 85 per cent score for child occupant protection alone.

The Defender is a modern-day success story, having revived a name which had featured on one of the most famous off-roaders of all time. The latest version is still supremely capable over tough terrain, but adds in a far more premium finish and better on-road driving dynamics that make this SUV into a great all-rounder.

The Honda Jazz is something of a multi-tool of cars. Not only is it small and easy to live with, but it is remarkably spacious inside. The clever rear seats fold down and upwards to provide a vast amount of room to use up inside and there’s even a decent-sized boot. The boxy design of the Jazz also means that it’s suitably for taller occupants. A cool-looking ‘Crosstar’ version adds some off-road-inspired flair to the Jazz for those who want it, too.

But an 83 per cent score for child occupant safety shows that it’s a very safe option as well. Equipped with plenty of assistance systems, the Jazz is a great example of why you shouldn’t discount smaller cars if you’re looking for top-notch safety.

The latest A3 isn’t just a great all-rounder, but it’s a very safe option as well. In fact, Euro NCAP scored this latest version of Audi’s popular hatchback an impressive 81 per cent for child occupant safety, making it one of the most secure cars to pick in this area.

The A3 does it all, too. It’s more than comfortable enough for long-distance trips, but its compact size means that it’s able to cope with inner-city and urban journeys as well. These days the A3 range incorporates a vast number of engine choices, too, ranging from compact petrols right the way through to efficient plug-in hybrids. Whichever you pick, you’re getting a car that really can perform in all sorts of driving situations.

The dinky Honda e took the motoring world by storm with its retro-infused style and tech-filled interior. In fact, it’s the widescreen display inside the Honda e’s cabin which continues to impress and it’s got loads of features included in it – you can even display a very realistic aquarium scene, should you want to.

And not only will kids be able to sit back and enjoy those on-screen fish antics, but they’ll also be kept as safe as can be thanks to the e’s 82 per cent score in child occupant safety. As well as this, the e’s electric powertrain gives this car some zippy acceleration and though the range of around 137 miles isn’t the best, it’s more than enough for average trips around town or the shops.

The Captur has proven to be an immensely popular car for Renault. It brings that upright driving position that many people find confidence-inspiring, but does that without the overly large exterior dimensions that you’d associate with a ‘full-size’ SUV. Combine that with some efficient engine choices and you have a very appealing package, that’s for sure.

It’s one which is packed with safety equipment, too, and this went down with Euro NCAP which scored the Captur a decent 80 per cent for child occupant safety. The rear of the car has decent accessibility, too, so you shouldn’t find it too tricky to load child seats in and out of the Captur.

Hyundai is a brand known for its trustworthiness and reliability and the i10 is a fine example of this. Though its the smallest car in this firm’s range it comes with big-car levels of equipment and has routinely proven to be a very reliable choice among buyers. It’s the kind of car that you can rely on to start each and every time – and it’s a car that you can trust to be secure, too.

Though the 75 per cent safety score awarded to the i10 isn’t the best in the context of this list, it still makes this Hyundai a very safe option overall and more secure than you’d expect a car with these diminutive proportions to be.