What is the safest family car? All the considerations

Choosing a car with strong safety features (new or second hand) can give you real peace of mind. Here’s a simple guide to help you pick the safest family car for you and the ones you love.

Check Euro NCAP safety ratings

Euro NCAP is a great way to check how safe a car is. They carry out independent crash tests on most cars sold in Europe. Search for your model to see how it scores in:

• Safety assist technology
• Adult occupant protection
• Child occupant protection
• Pedestrian safety

This information makes it easy to compare cars side by side.

Do a vehicle history check (for used cars)

If you’re buying second hand, it’s important to know the car’s past. There are websites available that can tell you if the car has:

• Been written off (Category A/B/C/D)
• Outstanding finance
• Multiple previous owners
• NCT history
• Verified mileage

A quick check now could save you money.

For more help, see our guide to buying a used car.

Look for ISOFIX points

If you have babies or young children, ISOFIX points can be a great feature to have. These attachment points let you lock a child car seat directly into the car’s frame, making installation safer and more secure.

Think about how many car seats you need and check how many ISOFIX points each car has.

What is the safest family car?

Modern cars include technology that can help prevent accidents and protect you when something goes wrong. Useful features to look for when searching for a safe family car include:

• Front, side and curtain airbags for full round protection
• Reverse cameras to help you see children, pets or anything else behind the car
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to prevent skidding
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) to stop the car if a potential accident is detected
• Blind Spot Monitoring to warn you of cars you can’t see
• Lane Keeping Assist to keep your car centred on the road

If you’re buying new, check out our new car buyers guide for more tips. Ultimately, a safe family car gives the most peace of mind. Knowing your car has the ability to protect your family as best as possible, if the worst were to happen, makes every journey less stressful.

Thinking of upgrading your car?

With Ireland’s best fixed rates on car loans over €30k*, an Avant Money Car Loan is a great way to finance your next car. You can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 with flexible terms from 12 to 84 months*. Apply online and, if eligible, you can get approval in principle in minutes.

Use our Loan Calculator to see how much you could borrow today.

Rate offered takes into account financial profile and credit history.

*Rates and loan terms are correct as of 19th February 2026 and are subject to change (Source: CCPC.ie, excluding green loans). Maximum APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is 19.9%. Minimum loan term is 12 months and maximum term is 120 months, loan terms vary depending on the purpose of the loan, terms greater than 84 months up to a maximum of 120 months are only available for refinance and home improvement loans of €20,000 to €75,000.

Representative example: On a €30,000 loan over 5 years, at a fixed rate of 6.5% (6.7% APR) you will pay €586.98 a month. The total cost of credit would be €5,219.07 and the total amount repayable would be €35,219.07.

Lending criteria, terms and conditions will apply. Personal loans are available to residents of the Republic of Ireland over the age of 18 and are subject to repayment capacity and financial status. Proof of income and a credit reference agency search will be required to help us approve your request. Personal loans are unsecured and not available for business purposes, house purchase or investment.