Top 10 Safest Family SUVs of 2018

Ah, the family SUV. It has overtaken both the minivan and the station wagon as the go-to family car. SUVs are roomy enough to include everyone in the family, reliable enough to ensure that kids get to school on time, and even remain affordable for all walks of life.

That being said, SUVs are mostly popular for one reason, and one reason alone: safety. Their big, bulky designs are known for providing cushioning during a crash and for having extra safety features that are ideal for new drivers.

Parents who want to keep their kids safe have a lot of great options to choose from this year. Experts have rated the following models to be the safest family SUVs of 2018, so if you're looking for a new family car, you may want to stop by a dealership and ask for one of these.

Volvo XC90

Volvo is one of those European car manufacturers that's become synonymous with reliability, comfort and safety. The evolution of Volvos has always kept an eye on "bigger and better," and the XC90 is not an exception to that rule.

This got the Kelly Blue Book seal of approval thanks to its 5-star crash safety rating, maximum gas mileage of 27 mpg, and additional standard amenities to keep passengers safe. Volvo's goal has been to eliminate any serious injuries or deaths in their vehicles by 2025.

This three-row seater from Volvo is really impressive. If the XC90 is a glimpse of the future, then it's clear that Volvo will continue to make some of the best family SUVs money can buy.

Buick Encore

A name like Buick immediately registers green lights in most gearheads' minds. This is because it's generally regarded as one of the most reliable car brands on the market—and now, they also make some of the safest SUVs for families you can buy on a dealership lot.

The Buick Encore got the 5-star NHTSA Crash Safety rating you'd expect, thanks to their top quality airbags, car design, and top notch engineering. The Encore also comes with a pretty nice gas mileage rating—a great bonus for commuters on a budge.

Buick Enclave

If you're looking for a slightly more elegant option for your family SUV, you might like the new 2018 Buick Enclave. Sloping, aerodynamic lines, and the world class reliability you'd expect to see in a Buick are what make this a hit with luxury car buyers.

The Enclave has gotten even better safety ratings than the Encore, including in tougher tests like Rollover Collision. The Enclave's real perks, though, come in the fields of driver and passenger amenities. After all, you should expect to drive in style with an Enclave.

BMW X5

The BMW X5 might be one of the most popular SUVs that BMW has ever really come out with—not to mention one of the safest family SUVs in its class. It's easy to see where the popularity comes from; the X5 is a serious statement car.

The engineers at Beemer definitely wanted to prove that style and safety can go hand in hand here. All seven passengers in your X5 can rest assured that they'll get to their destination safely thanks to its exceptional front and side crash ratings.

The BMW X3 is the smaller sized version of the X5, and like its larger cousin, it's ranked high up on the safety list currently up for grabs. X3's five-seater is a great compromise for people who want to have the roominess of a full-sized SUV but don't live in an area where larger SUVs mesh well with the parking scenery.

Excellent front and side crash test ratings, well-built safety amenities, and the luxury amenities that people expect from BMW are the reasons drivers love it. Even though it's one of the safer options offered up in the luxury sector, it's still fun to drive. The road test shows why.

Audi Q7

Audi has become known as a maker of some of the most reliable luxury SUVs on the market, too. Unsurprisingly, this quality auto manufacturer also has gained some notoriety for being one of the best car brands for safe rides of all sorts.

In terms of luxury seven-seaters with a high amount of horsepower, the Audi Q7 remains one of the best SUVs with both safety and reliability in mind that you can buy. Reaching a KBB Expert rating of 9.5 out of 10, it's safe to say that Audi can make a safe SUV every member of the family will enjoy.

Acura RDX

If you're a fan of sporty SUVs, then we have some good news for you. The Acura RDX was recently cited by Kelly Blue Book as being one of the safest family SUVs of the year.

This compact crossover has become known for holding its own against much larger SUVs in crash tests, and also being very tech-friendly for its price range. A good sound system and decent horsepower make this one super fun ride for the teen driver you love.

Acura MDX Sport Hybrid

For some reason beyond our understanding, it seems like people tend to avoid hybrid vehicles because they believe they are unsafe. Obviously, safety and gas usage really don't have much to do with one another.

Acura has recently made an effort to create an ultra-safe SUV that uses hybrid energy to get from Point A to Point B. The MDX Sport Hybrid's safety ratings make it one of the safest hybrid SUVs as a whole.

Oh, and if you were worried that you will miss out on amenities like comfortable seating, high-end speakers, and a Bluetooth system, then rest assured: Acura's got your back. It's safety and fuel economy in a stylish package.

Chevrolet Traverse

All-American and all horsepower, the Chevrolet Traverse is both a rustic ride and a safe one. Roomy enough to fit growing families and their sports supplies, but compact enough to fit in typical parking spaces with ease, it's easy to see why drivers love the Traverse.

Like others on this list, the safety ratings from the experts are off the charts. Due to its large size, collision warning system, and expert engineering, driving a Traverse is a great way to add a touch of safety to your life.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V currently stands as one of the most popular SUVs in America, and it's easy to see why. It's one of the most reliable SUVs that drivers keep for 10 years or longer, has add-on features galore, and also has been ranked as one of the safest family SUVs by a number of different councils.

This compact SUV is a great pick for just about anyone. Great crash test ratings, quality air bag systems, and solid engineering means that your chances of walking away from a crash in a CR-V are great.