Leslie Massey
When it comes to buying a family car, safety is a top priority for parents. Australia offers a wide range of vehicles that deliver on safety, spaciousness, driving performance, and technology. The best family cars in Australia include small hatchbacks, medium-sized SUVs, large off-roaders, sedans, and station wagons. In recent years, twin-cab utes have become more popular family vehicles due to their improved safety credentials, user-friendliness, comfort, and technology. Here is a look at some of the safest family cars in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safest car for adult occupants | BYD Dolphin |
| Safest car for child occupants | Lexus RZ |
| Safest car for pedestrian protection | BMW 5 Series |
| Car with the best safety assists | Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV |
| Safest car overall | Lexus RZ |
| Safest car for child occupant protection | Ford Ranger Double Cab Ute, Ford Everest |
| Safest family car for kids | Mazda CX-60, Nissan Qashqai |
| Safest family SUV | Hyundai Palisade, Ford Everest |
| Safest family sedan | Toyota Mirai |
| Safest family hatchback | Toyota Corolla |
| Safest family car with good fuel economy | Honda HR-V |
| Safest family car with seven seats | Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Kluger |
| Safest family car on a budget | Cerato |
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What You'll Learn
The safest 2023 car for adult occupants is the BYD Dolphin
If you're looking for a safe family car in Australia, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to prioritise vehicles with high safety ratings and features like airbags, collision notification, and child restraints. Secondly, different car types cater to specific needs; SUVs offer spacious interiors, hatchbacks are compact and efficient, and sedans are affordable and fuel-efficient.
The safest 2023 car for adult occupants in Australia is the BYD Dolphin, an electric family car with impressive safety features. It received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, recognised for its safety assists and protection of adult occupants. The Dolphin comes equipped with seven airbags, high-beam assist, driver fatigue detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, and even an alert to prevent doors from opening when objects are approaching.
The BYD Dolphin's battery technology is also noteworthy. BYD, a pioneering company in the battery industry, includes their innovative Blade Battery in the Dolphin, enhancing safety and maintaining range in cold temperatures. The Dolphin offers a choice of batteries and power outputs, with the largest battery and motor providing an impressive range comparable to competitors.
In addition to its safety and performance features, the BYD Dolphin offers a modern driving experience. It boasts a futuristic centre console design, a panoramic glass roof, and a 4G intelligent connection system with Over-the-Air updates. The Dolphin's unique name and sleek design, inspired by the graceful motion of dolphins, add to its appeal.
The BYD Dolphin is an excellent choice for those seeking a safe, electric family car in Australia. With its advanced safety features, innovative technology, and stylish design, it provides a compelling option for those transitioning to electrified motoring.
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The safest car for child occupants is the Lexus RZ
If you're looking for a safe family car in Australia, you'll want to consider vehicles with five-star ANCAP ratings. ANCAP is an independent vehicle safety test organisation that assesses cars based on their protection of adult and child occupants, as well as their safety assists and crash avoidance systems.
In 2023, only seven cars received a five-star ANCAP rating, and the Lexus RZ came out on top with the most safety percentage points. The Lexus RZ is an all-electric SUV equipped with the Lexus Safety System +, a comprehensive package of advanced safety and driver assistance systems. This includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with radar and camera, which can detect oncoming vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. The RZ also has Lane Departure Alert and Lane Tracing Assist to keep the car correctly centred in its lane.
One of the standout features that makes the Lexus RZ the safest car for child occupants is its Child Presence Detection technology. This system warns when a child or infant may have been left in the car, which could be lifesaving in hot weather. The RZ also comes with standard centre airbags to reduce the risk of occupant-to-occupant injuries in far-side crashes.
In addition to its advanced safety features, the Lexus RZ offers a spacious interior and excellent impact protection. Its strong platform and body construction, with the battery unit integrated into the chassis, provide peace of mind for families on the road. The RZ also scored highly for pedestrian protection, so you can feel confident that your vehicle is helping to protect everyone on the road and not just your family.
Overall, the Lexus RZ is an excellent choice for families in Australia seeking a safe and reliable vehicle. Its five-star safety rating, advanced driver assistance technologies, and child-focused features make it a top contender for anyone prioritising safety when choosing their next family car.
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The safest car for pedestrians is the BMW 5 Series
When it comes to purchasing a family car, safety is a top priority for many Australians. Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are a popular choice for bigger families, offering spacious interiors and powerful engines. The Hyundai Palisade, for instance, boasts impressive safety features, including Automatic Collision Notification and an Emergency SOS Call Service. The Ford Everest is another excellent option, providing advanced safety features, such as a Blind Spot Information System and Pre-Collision Assist technology.
However, if you're specifically looking for a car that prioritises pedestrian safety, look no further than the BMW 5 Series. Recognised as the safest car for pedestrians in Australia by ANCAP, this vehicle sets a new standard for safety. The BMW 5 Series has earned top marks from independent institutes in Europe, the USA, and Korea, showcasing its exceptional safety features.
One of the standout features of the BMW 5 Series is its impressive emergency braking system, which helps protect pedestrians and cyclists. The car has also proven its safety in various collision tests, demonstrating comprehensive protection for occupants, regardless of their size or seating position. The Euro NCAP, the renowned European New Car Assessment Programme, has awarded the BMW 5 Series the highest rating of five stars, underscoring its superior safety performance.
The extensive standard equipment of the BMW 5 Series, particularly its safety-focused driver assistance systems, contributes to its exceptional safety rating. These driver assistance systems are among the best on the market, offering a wide range of functions and reliable responses. The car's active assistance systems and passive safety features have impressed independent testers worldwide, reinforcing its status as the safest car for pedestrians in Australia.
In addition to its top safety ratings, the BMW 5 Series also delivers a seamless blend of performance, luxury, and innovation. With its cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and powerful engine, the BMW 5 Series offers a driving experience that is not only safe but also exhilarating and comfortable. So, if you're seeking a family car that prioritises pedestrian safety without compromising on style and performance, the BMW 5 Series is the ideal choice.
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The safest car for safety assists is the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
When it comes to safety, there are a few key factors to consider when choosing a family car in Australia. Firstly, there's the safety of the occupants, both adults and children, as well as pedestrians. Then there are the safety assists, which can help prevent or minimise crashes. According to ANCAP, the independent authority renowned for rigorous car safety testing, the safest car for safety assists in Australia is the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is a standout choice for families who prioritise safety. While it ranked third overall in the list of safest cars in Australia for 2023, it took the top spot in the safety assists category. This means that it has the best features for preventing or minimising a crash, giving you and your family peace of mind on the road.
The EQE SUV is part of a new generation of cars that deliver on safety, spaciousness, driving performance, and technology. While it may not have the bold, muscular aesthetic of the Hyundai Santa Fe, its sleek design makes a statement in its own right. And with its hybrid engine, it achieves an impressive fuel consumption rate of 5.6L/100km, making it an efficient choice for a large seven-seater family car.
When it comes to safety assists, the EQE SUV is packed with innovative features. While the details of these features are not readily available, we can assume they include a range of driver assistance technologies, such as blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance systems, and advanced speed assistance, which are becoming standard in modern vehicles. These features work together to reduce the risk of accidents and protect you and your family on the road.
While the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV excels in safety assists, it's worth noting that other cars offer exceptional safety in different categories. For instance, the Lexus RZ ranked first overall in 2023 for safety, with impressive scores across the board, including 89% for child occupant protection. The BMW 5 Series, which ranked second overall, was recognised for its ability to protect pedestrians, while the BYD Dolphin scored highly for adult occupant protection. Ultimately, the best choice for your family will depend on your specific needs and priorities.
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The safest family car for kids is the Ford Ranger
When it comes to choosing a family car, safety is a top priority, especially when it comes to protecting your children. While there are many safe family cars in Australia, the Ford Ranger stands out as one of the safest options, especially for kids.
The Ford Ranger is a dual-cab ute that has excellent safety credentials, making it a top choice for families. In fact, it's one of the most high-tech and polished pickups on the Australian market. It has a five-star ANCAP rating, with a 93% score for child occupant protection. This rating is based on crash tests, where the Ford Ranger scored full points for both the frontal offset crash and the side impact test, demonstrating its ability to protect child occupants.
The Ford Ranger is designed with family safety in mind. It is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats, making it compatible with typical child restraints available in Australia. This means that you can securely install child seats in the rear outboard seating positions, ensuring your children's safety during journeys.
Additionally, the Ford Ranger offers a range of advanced safety features, including dual frontal, side chest-protecting, and side head-protecting airbags, as well as a driver knee airbag. It also has pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats, providing added protection for older children who have outgrown their child seats.
While other cars, like the Lexus RZ, BYD Dolphin, and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, are also considered safe options in Australia, the Ford Ranger stands out for its combination of safety features, child restraint compatibility, and spacious interior. It's a popular choice for families who need a vehicle that can handle both everyday commutes and adventurous journeys.
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Frequently asked questions
According to ANCAP, the safest car for child occupants in Australia is the Lexus RZ (April 2023 onwards). The RZ scored 89% for protecting child occupants.
ANCAP is an independent authority renowned for rigorous car safety testing.
The Ford Ranger Double Cab Ute, Ford Everest seven-seater SUV, and Hyundai Palisade SUV are all great options. The Mazda CX-60 and Nissan Qashqai also scored highly in safety tests.
The Cerato is a great option for families on a budget. It has a price of $28,290 with a seven-year warranty. The Cupra Born is another safe and affordable option, with dedicated safety features such as a rear traffic alert and pre-collision assistance.
The 2025 Toyota Corolla hatch, 2025 Honda HR-V, and 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe are all expected to be safe and family-friendly options.
