3 of the Safest, Most Affordable Cars for Families
As you start your search for the perfect vehicle for your family, safety might be at the top of your list. Price might be second on that list.
Here are three of the safest and most affordable cars for families.
Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is considered a safe vehicle thanks to its extensive front- and side-impact crash-test ratings. The Odyssey also features active driver-assist technologies and an ACE body structure that distributes crash energy evenly throughout the cabin. The 2026 Honda Odyssey starts at $42,795.
“Honda Sensing is the safety suite that comes standard on all Odysseys,” said Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org. “It has industry-leading crash-prevention technology, including lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. The frame and body are designed to absorb crash impact and protect passengers.
“The Odyssey isn’t the cheapest family car available, but it’s an excellent value. It has more interior room than a mid-size SUV and is likely to provide many years and high miles of reliable service. The Odyssey retains its value and is one of the most inexpensive cars to insure, lowering the cost of ownership.”
Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent is highly rated for safety. In fact, the IIHS frequently names the Subaru Ascent a top safety pick for its rear passenger protection. The Subaru Ascent is also an industry leader in pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control and symmetrical all-wheel drive. The 2026 Subaru Ascent starts at $40,795.
“The Ascent comes standard with EyeSight, Subaru’s safety suite,” said Musson. “Thanks to its top safety rating, you can have confidence that your car is built to keep your family safe. The Ascent starts at about $40,000, so it’s competitively priced, but there are cheaper vehicles. However, the Ascent is one of the most affordable options because it retains its value and is so reliable that you don’t need to spend money on repairs, unlike less reliable competitors.”
Mazda CX-30
The Mazda CX-30 is considered a safe family vehicle thanks to the Skyactiv vehicle architecture and its high crash-test scores. The body of the Mazda CX-30 features built-in impact-absorbing technology and a comprehensive seven-airbag system. Even better, the Mazda CX-30 is affordable, with the base model starting at $26,375.
“The CX-30 has a low starting MSRP of around $26,000, which is hard to beat,” said Musson. “Mazda designed the CX-30 to keep occupants safe in a crash. It’s engineered to absorb the impact of a crash, crumple in specific places and preserve space around riders. It protects in a remarkable way. The safety features help prevent crashes, so ideally, your family will never have to experience how the vehicle performs in a crash.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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