When shopping for a family car, safety is often at the top of the list. However, some popular models don’t live up to their reputation when it comes to crash tests and safety features. In this article, we’ll highlight 25 well-known family cars that have received surprisingly poor safety ratings, so you can make a more informed decision before hitting the road.
Contents
Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mitsubishi Mirage consistently earns low safety ratings due to poor crash test results, particularly in side-impact and front-overlap crash tests. Its lightweight structure and lack of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), like automatic emergency braking, leave it behind in modern safety standards. Though it’s a budget-friendly option with decent fuel efficiency, safety-conscious buyers may want to look elsewhere.
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500’s small size contributes to its vulnerability in crash tests, especially in frontal and side-impact collisions. Its lack of standard safety features, such as forward-collision warning and lane departure assistance, adds to its poor safety reputation. Despite being a popular choice for its style and compact design, it ranks low in safety compared to larger, more modern family cars.
Chevrolet Spark
Though the Chevrolet Spark offers affordability and a compact size perfect for city driving, its safety ratings tell a different story. It performs poorly in crash tests due to its small frame, particularly in passenger protection during side-impact collisions. Additionally, it lacks standard advanced safety technologies like blind-spot monitoring, making it a less-than-ideal choice for families.
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta, despite its popularity for being a fun-to-drive and affordable compact car, has shown poor results in crashworthiness tests, especially in side-impact and front overlap evaluations. It lacks essential safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, putting it at a disadvantage in terms of family safety.
Hyundai Accent
The Hyundai Accent struggles with poor safety ratings primarily in frontal crash tests. Its lack of standard advanced safety features, like automatic braking and lane-keeping assist, contribute to its less-than-stellar safety profile. While it’s a popular budget-friendly sedan, families seeking top-tier safety should be cautious.
Kia Rio
While the Kia Rio offers affordability and reliability, it performs poorly in crash test ratings, particularly in the small overlap front crash test. It also lacks several key safety features like adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning that are now common in many family vehicles, making it a risky choice for safety-conscious families.
Nissan Versa
The Nissan Versa, though often selected for its low price, consistently performs below average in crash tests. Its smaller build results in poor ratings for side and frontal crash protection. Additionally, the Versa lacks the comprehensive suite of safety features found in newer models, such as automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection.
Jeep Wrangler
Despite being a favorite among adventure-loving families, the Jeep Wrangler earns poor safety ratings, especially in side-impact and rollover tests due to its higher center of gravity. It also lacks many modern active safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control that are standard on many vehicles today.
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey has been flagged for its poor safety ratings for several years, with disappointing crash test results across the board, especially in front overlap tests. The absence of modern safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and automatic braking keeps it behind the curve for family safety.
Chrysler 200
Although stylish and spacious, the Chrysler 200 earns subpar crash test ratings, especially in side-impact and frontal crash tests. It also lacks a comprehensive set of safety features that are expected in family cars today, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Its below-average performance has led to it being a less popular choice among safety-conscious families.
Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris may be an affordable and reliable subcompact, but its safety ratings suffer due to poor performance in crashworthiness tests, particularly in small front overlap crashes. The lack of advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking as standard also makes it less appealing for families prioritizing safety.
Chevrolet Trax
The Chevrolet Trax, despite being a popular compact SUV, doesn’t perform well in frontal and side-impact crash tests. It also falls short on safety technology, lacking many modern driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning, which could enhance its safety rating.
Ford EcoSport
Despite being marketed as a family-friendly compact SUV, the Ford EcoSport struggles with safety ratings, particularly in crash test performance for frontal and side impacts. It lacks many advanced safety features that are now standard in competitors, like lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking.
Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V, a popular subcompact SUV, has been criticized for its below-average safety ratings, particularly in small overlap frontal crash tests. While it offers good fuel efficiency, it lags behind in offering essential advanced safety features, such as automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, making it a less safe choice for families.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson, despite being a widely known SUV, has faced poor ratings in certain crash tests, particularly the passenger-side small overlap test. It also lacks some standard safety features, which many of its competitors now include as part of their base models, leaving it at a disadvantage.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport falls short in terms of safety due to poor ratings in side-impact crash tests and frontal crash protection. It also lacks modern safety features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, making it a questionable choice for families focused on safety.
Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass struggles with safety, particularly in rollover crash tests. It also lacks some essential safety features, like lane-keeping assist and forward-collision warning, that are now standard on many family vehicles, placing it lower in terms of family safety options.
Kia Soul
Though the Kia Soul is known for its quirky design and affordability, it underperforms in safety crash tests, particularly in frontal and side-impact evaluations. Additionally, the absence of modern safety technologies like automatic emergency braking in base models raises concerns for families focused on safety.
Chevrolet Sonic
The Chevrolet Sonic, while an affordable compact option, receives low marks in frontal crash tests. Its safety features are outdated compared to more modern vehicles, and it lacks critical technology like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist, making it less ideal for families prioritizing safety.
Nissan Rogue Sport
The Nissan Rogue Sport has faced criticism for its lackluster crash test performance, particularly in the small overlap front crash test. Its safety rating is further diminished by the absence of standard advanced driver-assistance features that many of its competitors offer, making it a less safe choice for families.
Dodge Grand Caravan
Despite being a long-time family favorite, the Dodge Grand Caravan receives poor crash test ratings, particularly in side-impact and rollover tests. It also lacks many modern safety features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, which are crucial for family vehicles.
Mazda CX-3
The Mazda CX-3, while stylish and fun to drive, has faced criticism for its poor crash test ratings, especially in frontal overlap and side-impact tests. Its limited safety feature offerings, such as the lack of standard forward-collision warning, make it a less appealing choice for family safety.
Jeep Renegade
The Jeep Renegade is known for its off-road capabilities, but its safety performance in crash tests, particularly in rollover tests, leaves much to be desired. It also lacks many modern safety features that are standard in competitors, making it a less secure option for families.
Chevrolet Equinox
Although the Chevrolet Equinox is a popular choice in the compact SUV market, its safety ratings suffer due to poor frontal crash test results. Additionally, it lacks some advanced safety technologies that are standard in newer models, making it a less safe choice for families.
Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks, while affordable and efficient, has been criticized for its poor crash test performance, particularly in frontal and side-impact tests. Its limited offering of standard advanced safety features further reduces its appeal for families concerned about safety.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
More from MyCarMakesNoise
20 French Cars That Captivated Drivers Around the World
France has a rich history of producing some of the most stylish and innovative cars in the automotive world. From elegant design to cutting-edge technology, French manufacturers have created vehicles that are highly coveted. Read More
20 Reasons to Hold Off on Buying a New Car if You’re Under 25
Buying a new car might seem exciting, but if you’re under 25, it might not be the best financial decision. From higher insurance rates to rapid depreciation, there are several reasons why young drivers should consider alternatives. Read More
20 Easy DIY Car Repairs That Will Save You Big Money
You don’t always need a mechanic for every car issue. Many repairs can be done at home with basic tools and a little know-how, saving you a lot of money. Read More
