Media post: Peace of Mind on Wheels – Top Safety Picks for Moms

Moms in search of a family-friendly ride seek a car that prioritizes safety, reliability, practicality, good fuel efficiency, and comfortable seating. Larger families may require a third row, while those in colder areas should consider all-wheel drive. The ideal choice promises durability and hassle free driving, ensuring great long-term value.

Today’s cars often come with advanced safety tech like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, etc. However, features like rear seat reminders and safe exit assist provide additional child-specific protection, enhancing the family friendly appeal of a vehicle.

For moms preferring safety to all other aspects, perhaps the biggest deciding factor is the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. So, here are the best cars for moms that are safe, gorgeous, and practical.

2024 Mazda CX-50

It’s not as big as some cars on the list, but moms who love adventure need a car that’s up for challenges ahead without sacrificing Top Safety Pick+, comfort, and luxury. Consider the CX-50 as the CX-5’s tougher relative, retaining beloved features like the plush interior, user-friendly infotainment, and a potent 2.5-liter turbocharged engine boasting 256 hp.

Standard features include adaptive cruise control, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and three years of complimentary Mazda Connected Services, offering roadside assistance, automatic 9-1-1 connection, vehicle health monitoring, and remote start via the MyMazda app.

The interior of the CX-50 impresses with premium touches, wireless charging, Bose sound, blind-spot monitoring, and an optional power tailgate for those times when little ones can’t reach.

2024 Genesis GV60

Despite Tesla’s dominance in high-end electric vehicles, other car manufacturers have entered the competition. The Genesis GV60 offers a distinctive approach to an electric crossover, blurring the boundaries between SUV and hatchback. With its sleek design and battery positioning, the GV60 delivers a well-balanced driving experience. It boasts impressive acceleration regardless of the chosen powertrain configuration.

Scoring top marks across all six IIHS crash tests and achieving a Superior rating for its front crash prevention system, the 2024 GV60 is predictably recognized as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. It’s a secure choice for mothers seeking a new compact SUV.

2024 Acura Integra

The Integra retains its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award for the second consecutive year, alongside an NHTSA five-star overall rating. Type S models lack full NHTSA ratings but excel in rollover evaluations. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert. Front and rear parking sensors are available on higher trims. While critics note its resemblance to the Honda Civic and similar noise levels on the freeway, the Integra offers a compelling entry-level luxury option for moms, balancing affordability, features, and fuel efficiency, with the sportiness of the Type S variant.

2024 Toyota Prius and Prius Prime

The 2024 Toyota Prius secures an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, despite receiving Acceptable scores in the updated moderate front overlap test and headlight evaluation. Families with young children will appreciate its top LATCH evaluation marks. While the plug-in hybrid version lacks ratings in the updated moderate front overlap test, it attains the second highest distinction, Top Safety Pick. Just like our favorite Hilux GR Sport, the Prius has Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist, and automatic high-beams. Additionally, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert comes standard, with lane change assist on Prius Prime models. The new Prius, redesigned for 2023, offers enhanced power, a smooth ride, and responsive steering. Moms may find the interior design functional, though the instrument cluster visibility and rear headroom could be better. For those uninterested in AWD, Prius Prime provides improved acceleration and an impressive 44 miles of EV range.

2024 Honda Accord

For the fourth year running, the Honda Accord attains Top Safety Pick+ status. This year’s midsize sedan notches Good ratings in all crash test categories, along with a Good headlight rating and high marks in the LATCH ease of use assessment. Standard features on the 2024 Accord encompass lane keep assist, traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane departure warning, and auto high-beams. Despite minimal innovation compared to its predecessor, the 11th generation Accord remains a top pick for families, boasting solid handling, spacious interiors, and responsive performance from its gas engine. While higher-trim models sacrifice some ride comfort for larger wheels, they may suffer from more road noise compared to competitors. The hybrid variant receives Honda’s premium features, albeit with a brake pedal that lacks sufficient feedback.

2024 Genesis G80 and G80 Electric

A number of Genesis cars have received recognition from IIHS in 2024, including the G80 sedan. The electric version earns the top award, while the gas-powered variant gets a standard safety pick. Headlights receive an Acceptable rating across both models. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, speed limit assist, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist. Some models offer Highway Driving Assist II. The G80 boasts an attractive exterior, luxurious interior, and good value, but it lags behind European rivals in driving dynamics and powertrain refinement. Despite its strengths, it doesn’t quite match the status of other Genesis models like the G70 and G90. The electric version offers smoother, quieter, and quicker performance, appealing to working moms, but sacrifices interior space due to the battery pack placement.