When choosing a family car, safety tops the priority list, whether your little ones are still in car seats or have reached their teenage years.
Reliability is just as crucial. A family car must be prepared to handle frosty morning school runs, hectic trips between after-school activities, your daily commute, and even long family road trips.
That’s why we provide guides covering topics like the best overall family car, the top family hybrids, and the best vehicles for school runs. In nearly all these categories, reliability stands out as a key factor.
Family cars are expected to do it all, but fortunately, manufacturers have perfected the art of producing vehicles that combine safety and reliability. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the safest and most reliable family cars available today.
1. Mazda CX-60
The Mazda CX-60 earned a five-star rating in Euro NCAP safety tests, including an impressive 91% score in the child occupant category, making it a standout choice for families with young kids.
Safety comes standard in the CX-60, with features like Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, and Driver Attention Alert, which detects signs of driver fatigue. Additional safety technologies are available as optional upgrades for even greater peace of mind.
Though it’s a relatively new model, the CX-60 builds on Mazda’s strong reputation for crafting durable and dependable vehicles, ensuring you can rely on it for years to come.
2. BMW X1
BMW’s reputation for excellence extends to the X1, a family SUV that combines style, performance, and practicality. But how does it fare in terms of safety? In a word: superbly.
The X1 achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating, including an 86% score for adult occupant safety and 89% for child occupant safety. Additionally, it excelled in the Safety Assist category with a remarkable 92% score.
Every 2025 BMW X1 comes equipped with standard all-wheel drive and a powertrain that features a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission.
In the base xDrive28i configuration, this setup delivers an impressive 241 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. With this level of performance, the X1 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 5.6 seconds.
As for fuel efficiency, this powertrain is expected to achieve ratings similar or identical to the 2024 model, which offers an estimated 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. This balance of power and efficiency makes the 2025 X1 a compelling option in its segment.
Key safety features include a Front Collision Warning System, which detects potential crashes and alerts the driver, and Speed Limit Information, which helps you stay compliant on unfamiliar roads. The X1’s solid build quality adds to its safety credentials, making it a vehicle you can trust to protect your family.
3. Renault Megane E-Tech
Renault’s Megane E-Tech may be a newcomer to the EV market, but it has already made a strong impression, particularly in safety.
This electric vehicle earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating, scoring 85% for adult occupant safety and an even higher 88% for child occupant safety. Its ratings for vulnerable road users (65%) and safety assist systems (79%) further highlight its robust design.
The Megane E-Tech is packed with 26 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including a smart speed limiter that uses a front camera and navigation data to automatically adjust your speed to the road’s limit. Another innovative feature is the QR code on the windscreen, which emergency services can use to locate the car’s battery and airbags in case of a crash.
4. Volkswagen Golf
Few cars embody reliability as much as the Volkswagen Golf. Since its debut in 1974, the Golf has been synonymous with dependable family transportation.
In the 2022 Euro NCAP safety tests, the Golf upheld this legacy with a five-star rating, achieving high scores for both adult and child occupant safety at 88% and 87%, respectively.
The Golf comes equipped with advanced safety features designed to both prevent accidents and protect passengers in case of one.
These include Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Assist, and Fatigue Detection. The E-call system, which automatically contacts emergency services when airbags are deployed, adds another layer of security.
5. Honda Civic
The Honda Civic stands out as a fantastic small hatchback that blends sporty aesthetics with top-notch safety, reliability, and performance.
In the 2022 Euro NCAP safety tests, the Civic excelled across all categories, scoring over 80% in each. Its strongest performances were in adult occupant safety (89%) and child occupant safety (87%), culminating in an impressive five-star overall rating.
The Civic is equipped with a suite of advanced safety technologies designed to keep you secure on the road. Notable features include Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, which helps prevent skidding under various driving conditions, and Advanced Compatibility Engineering, a system that absorbs and disperses collision forces during an impact, ensuring the safety of you and your passengers.
As one of Honda’s longest-standing models, the Civic has built a strong reputation for dependability, making it one of the most reliable family hatchbacks available today.
6. Range Rover
When it comes to safety, the Range Rover matches the high expectations set by its luxurious reputation. The 2022 Euro NCAP tests affirm this, with the vehicle earning a five-star overall rating. The Range Rover scored 84% for adult occupant safety and 87% for child occupant safety, reflecting its robust design.
The Range Rover offers a wealth of onboard safety features, which only increase in sophistication with higher trims. Even the entry-level model is well-equipped, featuring 10 airbags, parking sensors, a rear-view camera, lane-keep assist, and more, ensuring that safety isn’t compromised regardless of the trim you choose.
7. Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage has long been a favorite among family crossovers, and its impressive safety record solidifies its reputation. In the most recent Euro NCAP tests, the Sportage received a five-star overall rating, with scores of 87% and 86% in adult and child occupant safety, respectively.
Kia’s dedication to safety is evident in its wide range of onboard technologies. Depending on the model, you’ll find features such as Vehicle Stability Management, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, and Lane Departure Warning.
One particularly noteworthy feature is the Emergency Stop Signal, which rapidly flashes the brake light when you brake suddenly, alerting drivers behind and reducing the risk of rear-end collisions. These thoughtful features contribute to a safer and more comfortable driving experience.
8. Hyundai i30
The Hyundai i30 is a standout family car, known for combining affordability with comfort and reliable performance. Its impressive showing in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests confirms its appeal as a solid all-rounder.
The i30 achieved an 88% score for adult occupant safety and 84% for child occupant safety. While it performed slightly lower in pedestrian protection (64%) and safety assist categories (68%), the car’s overall safety rating remains commendable.
Even at its competitive price point, the i30 delivers a host of safety features as standard. These include cruise control with a speed limiter, lane keeping assistance with lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, and driver attention alerts.
While these features enhance everyday drives, they truly shine during longer journeys, offering peace of mind and convenience.
9. Peugeot 308
The Peugeot 308 earned a four-star rating in the 2022 Euro NCAP tests, making it a strong contender among family hatchbacks.
While it didn’t achieve the top rating, its performance in specific categories underscores its reliability. The 308 excelled in child occupant safety, scoring 84%, a reassuring figure for families.
The 308 comes with an array of standard safety technologies designed to enhance driving confidence.
These include lane keep assist, which helps prevent unintentional lane departures, speed limit recognition to ensure you stay within legal speed limits, and driver attention warning, which notifies you if your focus on the road wanes.
Peugeot has equipped the 308 with impressively quick steering to enhance its agility, achieved through a combination of low gearing on the steering rack and a compact hexagonal steering wheel. This design allows most corners to be navigated with just a quarter turn of the wheel.
This setup shines particularly on the 1.2-litre petrol model, the lightest in the range at just 1,288kg. The car’s reduced weight ensures nimble and responsive handling, making it a pleasure to drive.
However, the plug-in hybrid variants don’t quite match this level of sharpness due to the added weight of the hybrid system, which totals an additional 300kg.
That said, the 308 plug-in hybrids still outperform rivals like the Volkswagen e-Hybrid and the Mercedes A 250 e in terms of handling. While they may not achieve the same razor-sharp feel as the petrol version, the trade-off for reduced company car tax rates and lower emissions might make the slight compromise worthwhile.
Higher-spec models offer additional features, such as adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alerts, providing extra layers of safety for discerning buyers.
10. Vauxhall Astra
Having been a staple family car since the 1980s, the Vauxhall Astra continues to uphold its reputation for reliability with modern advancements in safety and technology.
The latest Astra model secured a four-star rating in Euro NCAP safety tests, achieving 80% for adult occupant safety and 82% for child occupant safety. While its overall score isn’t the highest on this list, it’s a dependable choice for families.
One standout feature of the Astra is Vauxhall’s Intelli-Drive 1.0 system, which includes Lane Positioning Assist to maintain your lane, Lane Change Assist to detect fast-approaching vehicles, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, capable of identifying oncoming vehicles up to 40 meters away.
With lease prices starting under £300 per month, the Astra offers excellent value for money, blending practicality with modern safety tech.
These cars exemplify a blend of reliability, safety, and advanced features, making them excellent choices for families. Whether it’s for daily commutes, school runs, or longer road trips, they ensure peace of mind on every journey.