These Are the 8 Most Reliable Car Brands for Families

If you're like me, then you and your family are likely in the car all of the time. There's school, errands, sports practice, PTA meetings, and countless other activities that require us to spend a good portion of our lives in our vehicle of choice. As parents, we desire a car that's incredibly safe and easy to drive. We need to protect our kids from the elements outside and the other drivers on the road. Luckily, vehicle manufacturers have prioritized safety over the years, and that's incredibly apparent when you consider these eight reliable car brands.

This list contains a variety of different brands, from affordable options to more expensive models. They are all sleek brands that take the time to test their vehicles so you can have confidence when you're behind the wheel. We'll tell you about the best brands and provide some advice for when you go to pick out your future vehicle.

There are some things that you will want to keep in mind when it comes to choosing between what appear to be reliable car brands. The most important is the cost. You want to get a vehicle that will get your family where they're going safely, but you must also be careful not to overspend. Keep in mind that you'll need to get insurance and pay other bills, so don't spend it all on a car. On the flip side, remember that you don't want to pay too little for a vehicle, or you may not get the safety features that you really want. When in doubt, talk to an expert or the salesperson at the lot.

When you're looking into the most reliable car brands, you need to do a bit of research. Many car dealerships will tell you that a car is safe, but you should investigate for yourself. There are several online sources you can try, including Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, and MotorTrend. You can also complete a Google search by looking up "[CAR BRAND] safety" and see if a vehicle you have your eye on is suitable for your family. Always do your research before purchasing an expensive vehicle.

When you're looking up the safest vehicles, you'll hear a lot about the many bells and whistles that the car has, such as additional cameras, lane departure alerts, collision warning systems, and more. While these tools are certainly helpful, keep in mind that the more features and electronic symptoms you have on your car, the better the chance that one of them will fail and potentially put your family in danger or lead to costly repairs. So, while these features are important, look at the full picture before choosing a safe car.

While there is a lot of excitement around electric cars these days, keep in mind that they may be more prone to issues than gas-powered vehicles. According to J.D. Power, electric car owners often cite excessive maintenance, including the need to change tires earlier than they had to with gas-powered, which is likely tied to the hefty weight of electric vehicles. Granted, electric cars are still safe, but consider this aspect as well.

According to testing conducted by Consumer Reports, the safest car brand is Lexus. Yes, it's a more costly brand, but in this case, you actually get what you pay for, especially when it comes to safety. During their testing, Consumer reports looked at many different trouble areas, from break issues to transmission and engine problems. They found that Lexus was the most dependable. Meaning you can drive longer without needing to go in for maintenance. 

Lexus is at the top of the list of the most reliable car brands for several reasons. The vehicles are loaded with features that ensure the health of your family, even if you get into a crash. Many of the cars are built with energy-absorbing crumple zones and impact-dispersing reinforcements that prevent the car and your family from suffering catastrophic damage. Plus, the car has other great features, like radar cruise control, road sign assist, and more.

Many people love the Toyota brand, and part of that is likely due to the safety of many of the vehicles in their lineup. Part of the reason why Toyota's are so safe and reliable is because all of the vehicles go through rigorous quality control processes. That testing includes heat and cold stress tests, X-rays, and numerous factory inspections.

Another reason why Toyota cars are so dependable is due to the extensive testing. According to sources like Slash Gear, every part is checked for variations that could lead to safety issues. If one part in a large batch is defective, the entire batch may be thrown out just so they can be sure that the car will last. Even the windows go through extensive testing to ensure that they'll last through 1.5 million wipes.

Mazda makes some incredible vehicles that are both safe and reliable. The vehicles have several things going for them. They're made of a strong and sturdy SKYACTIV®-Body structure, which is made to withstand harsh impacts. The cars also feature I-Activesense technology, which is a series of cameras and radars to help you drive safely down the road while avoiding collisions.

Mazda is one of the most reliable car brands because there are many vehicles in the lineup that are very safe for your family. For the best of the best, consult the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which says that the 2024 Mazda 3 sedan, 2024 Mazda CX-30 SUV, and the 2024 Mazda CX-90 SUV are among the safest in the entire lineup. They all feature strong exterior construction and the bells and whistles that will keep your kids safe.

Consumer Reports mentions Buick as another of the safest vehicles on the road. That's because they are loaded with safety features that've been tested and quality-checked to ensure that they'll work right every time. Almost all modern vehicles have intelligent airbag systems, automatic emergency breaking, lane-keeping assistance, and strong structural dynamics. They can withstand a collision and keep you from getting into one in the first place.

The great thing about this brand is that there is a vehicle for every family, and most of them are very safe. One of them, the Buick Carcada, is loaded with airbags, and it has stellar rollover protection. The Buick Encore has top-notch blind spot monitoring. There's also the Buick Encore GX, which has a 360-degree camera, so you keep yourself and pedestrians safe. 

The Volvo car brand has always been in the discussion when it comes to the safest family vehicles. In fact, Volvo was the first company to really put an emphasis on safety, especially in the case of collisions. In 1991, they introduced the idea of structural improvements, reinforced seats, and side-impact airbags. They continue this dedication to safety to this day.

According to the IIHS, there are a number of Volvo models that are considered to be super safe. Some of the select models include the 2022 S60 sedan, the 2023 V90 cross-country wagon, the C40 four-door SUV, and the 2022 XC90 SUV. These are all top-notch vehicles that will keep you safe, and there's a size for everyone. 

In addition to being one of the most desirable brands, Nissan is also in the discussion when it comes to the most reliable vehicles on the road. The brand has many great innovations, including its Safety Shield 360, which protects the car on all sides. Nissan cars also have Zone Body Construction, meaning they distribute the energy during an impact around the car. There are also other bells and whistles, such as lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, and more.

There are many different vehicles in the Nissan lineup that are incredibly safe. The IIHS Top Safety pick of 2023 was the Nissan Pathfinder. It's noteworthy for the Safety Shield technology and rear cross-traffic alerts. Another winner is the 2023 Nissan Rogue, which was also a top pick. This model has all of the standard safety features, and it can protect your family during a crash.

You've likely seen a few Subaru commercials. They are all about family and togetherness. They're also very safe. All recent models have a handful of safety features, including top-notch breaks, adaptive cruise control, symmetrical all-wheel drive, and more. Your Subaru will also come with STARLINK Technology so you can call for help during breakdowns or crashes.

Look no further than the IIHS for the safest Subaru models currently on the market. Some of their top pics include the 2024 Impreza, the sleek 2025 WRX sedan, and the 2025 Subaru Outback. Larger families who need a SUV should consider either the Forester, Solterra, or Ascent. They'll all keep your family safe while giving you room to haul around sports equipment.

The Cadillac brand is known for style and class, and it's also one of the most reliable car brands. You get what you pay for when you put your family in a Cadillac. Most modern models come with the finest tech, including collision alerts, robust crash test performance rates, and adaptive cruise control, which will keep a safe distance behind the cars in front of it. I know many people who own Cadillacs. Many of them are older folks and they praise the safety aspects.

Cadillac proves that it's one of the most reliable car brands with three models in particular. One of them, the Cadillac Escalade, is very nice, and it's built to be sturdy and strong so it can withstand collisions. There's also the Cadillac XT5, which is a compact SUV that achieved a perfect safety rating. Finally, there's the Cadillac CT5, a great sedan that has received a perfect safety rating two years in a row.