As a parent, our children's safety is at the forefront of our minds and never more so than when buying our new family car.Â
With lots of new family cars gaining five-star ANCAP ratings, I have put together this helpful list of the top ten safest family cars for kids that have performed best in the new ANCAP crash testing that includes child dummies.
1 – 2023 Ford Ranger & Ford Everest – Score 93% for Child Occupant Protection
The 2023 Ford Ranger Double Cab Ute and 2023 Ford Everest seven-seater SUVÂ are available now.
2023 Ford Ranger Double Cab Utes and 2023 Ford Everests both score a 93% ANCAP score for child occupant protection. In the crash tests, both scored full points for both the frontal offset crash and for the side impact test. For restraint installation, the Ford Ranger scored slightly higher with 12 out of 12, than the Ford Everest, which scored 11.66 out of 12. The Ranger and Everest both scored 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features. For now, this makes both vehicles the safest family cars for kids on sale in Australia.
ANCAP wrote of the 2023 Ford Ranger testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and the Ford Ranger scored maximum points in both of these tests.
The Ford Ranger is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the rear outboard seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
NOTE: Installation of child restraints in the centre seating position of the second row in dual cab variants is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage.
Installation of child restraints in the single and extended cab variants is not recommended as there are no top tether anchorages.
The 2023 Ford Everest scored:
ANCAP wrote of the 2023 Ford Everest testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and maximum points were scored in both of these tests.
The Ford Everest is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages in the outboard seats of the second row, and top tether anchorages on all second and third row seats.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in most rear seating positions, however the Type A rearward facing capsule could not be correctly installed in the second row centre and both of the third row seating positions.
The 2023 Ford Ranger and Everest have nine airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags for all three seating rows (Everest only), and driver and passenger knee airbags are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
The ANCAP child restraint fitting charts below show which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in each row of seats of the 2023 Ford Ranger and Ford Everest:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the 2023 Ford Ranger Double Cab Ute and Ford Everest scored 84% and 86%, respectively.
2- Volkswagen Amarok – Scores 93% for Child Occupant Protection
The New Volkswagen Amarok is available as a dual cab ute for families.
Volkswagen Amaroks with a build date of November 2022 onwards, scored 93% for child occupant protection, 46 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front and dynamic side tests. The Volkswagen Amarok also got 12 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a dual cab utw for your rear passengers.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and the Volkswagen Amarok scored maximum points in both of these tests.
The Volkswagen Amarok is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the rear outboard seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
NOTE: Installation of child restraints in the centre seating position of the second row is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage.
The Amarok has seven airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags, and driver and passenger knee airbags are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats of the Volkswagen Amarok (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Volkswagen Amarok:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the Volkswagen Amarok did reasonably well in this, with a score of 32.98 out of 38 or 86% for Adult Occupant Protection with 7.36 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 5.27 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for the side impact test and 5.15 out of 5 for the pole test. Scoring 3.19 out of 4 for whiplash protection, full marks for both far side impact and rescue and extraction.
3 – Mazda CX-60 – Scores 93% for Child Occupant Protection
The Mazda cx-60 is a premium five-seater SUV for families.
Mazda CX-60s with a build date of March 2023 onwards, scored 93% for child occupant protection, 46 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front and dynamic side tests. The CX-60 also got 12 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a pretty safe choice for your rear passengers.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and the Mazda CX-60 scored maximum points in these tests.
The Mazda CX-60 is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on the rear outboard seats and top tether anchorages for all rear seating positions.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in all rear seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
The CX-60 has seven airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags, as well as a driver knee airbag, are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Mazda CX-60:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the Mazda CX-60 did very well in this, with a score of 34.82 out of 38 or 91% for Adult Occupant Protection with 7.71 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 5.23 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for both the pole test and the side impact test. Scoring 3 out of 4 for whiplash protection (front) and 0.88 for whiplash protection (rear), full marks for far side impact and for rescue and extraction.
4 – Mercedes-Benz EQS- Scores 93% for Child Occupant Protection
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a large luxury car.
Mercedes-Benz EQS' with a build date of July 2022 onwards, scored 93% for child occupant protection, 46 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front and dynamic side tests. The Mercedes-Benz EQS also got 12 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a good car for your rear passengers.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In both the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection was GOOD for all critical body areas for both the 6 year and 10 year child dummies.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on the rear outboard seats and top tether anchorages for all rear seating positions.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the second row seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS has eight airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags, as well as a driver knee airbag, are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats of the Mercedes-Benz EQS (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Mercedes-Benz EQS:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the Mercedes-Benz EQS Â did extremely well in this, with a score of 36.61 out of 38 or 96% for Adult Occupant Protection with 8 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 6.70 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for the side impact test and pole test. Scoring 3.91 out of 4 for whiplash protection, full marks for both far side impact and rescue and extraction.
5 – Jeep Grand Cherokee – Scores 93% for Child Occupant Protection
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a large seven-seater SUV.
Jeep Grand Cherokees sold from February 2023 onwards scored 93% for child occupant protection, 45.89 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the Dynanic Front Test and the Dynamic Side Test. The Grand Cherokee also got 11.89 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and the Jeep Grand Cherokee scored maximum points in these tests.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on all seating positions in the second row of seats, and top tether anchorages for all rear seating positions.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed most child restraints could be accommodated the rear seating positions, however the Type A capsule could not be correctly installed in the second row centre seating position using the seat belt.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has nine airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting, side head-protecting (first, second, and third rows where applicable), and a driver and passenger knee airbag are standard. A centre airbag to prevent occupant-to-occupant interaction is not available.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in all the first and second-row seats (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Jeep Grand Cherokee:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee didn't do as well in this, with a score of  36.64 out of 31.83 or 83% for Adult Occupant Protection with 7.61 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 5.89 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test and full marks for both the side impact and pole test. Scoring 3.34 out of 4 for whiplash protection, 1.99 out of 4 for far side impact and 1 out of 2 for rescue and extraction.
6 – Nissan Pathfinder – Scores 93% for Child Occupant Protection
The Nissan Pathfinder is available as a seven or eight-seater family SUV.
Nissan Pathfinders with a build date of July 2022 onwards, scored 93% for child occupant protection, 45.80 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front and dynamic side tests. The Nissan Pathfinder also got 11.80 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a safe choice for your rear passengers.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and maximum points were scored in these tests.
The Nissan Pathfinder is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on all three seats in the second row and also in the left seat of the third row.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed most child restraints could be accommodated in most rear seating positions, though one of the selected Type A convertible restraints and one Type B convertible restraint could not be correctly installed using the third row ISOfix anchorages.
The Pathfinder has seven airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags (all three rows) are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats of the Nissan Pathfinder (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Nissan Pathfinder:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the Nissan Pathfinder did reasonably well in this, with a score of 32.87 out of 38 or 86% for Adult Occupant Protection with 6.67 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 6.53 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for both the pole test and the side impact test. Scoring 3.34 out of 4 for whiplash protection 3.33 out of 4 for far side impact and 1.00 for rescue and extraction.
7 – Nissan Qashqai– Scores 93% for Child Occupant Protection
The Nissan Qashqai is a small family.
Nissan Qashqais with a build date of June 2022 onwards, scored 93% for child occupant protection, 45.78 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front and dynamic side tests. The Nissan Qashqai also got 12 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a great car for your rear passengers.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset test, dummy readings indicated GOOD protection for all critical body areas of both child dummies, apart from the neck of the 10 year dummy where protection was rated as ADEQUATE.
In the side impact test, protection of all critical body areas was GOOD for both dummies, and maximum points were scored.
The Nissan Qashqai is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on the rear outboard seats and top tether anchorages for all rear seating positions.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed all child restraints assessed could be accommodated in all rear seating positions.
The Nissan Qashqai has seven airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in all seats of the Nissan Qashqai (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows all types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Nissan Qashqai:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the Nissan Qashqai did very well in this, with a score of 34.84 out of 38 or 91% for Adult Occupant Protection with 7.52 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 6.51 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for the side impact test and pole test. Scoring 3.82 out of 4 for whiplash protection, full marks for far side impact and 1.00 out of 2 for rescue and extraction.
8 – Mitsubishi Outlander – Scores 92% for Child Occupant Protection
The Mitsubishi Outlander is available as a five-seater or seven-seater family SUV and it is worth noting the third-row seats are not tested in ANCAP COP crash testing.
Mitsubishi Outlanders with a build date of July 2021 onwards scored 92% for child occupant protection, 45.43 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the frontal offset crash and for the side impact test. The Outlander also got 11.43 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and maximum points were scored in these tests.
The Mitsubishi Outlander is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on the second row outboard seats and top tether anchorages for all second row seating positions. Top tethers are not available in the optional third row. Installation of child restraints in the third row is therefore not recommended.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed most child restraints could be accommodated in most second row seating positions, though in the centre rear position, one of the selected convertible seats could not be correctly installed in forward facing or rearward facing modes, and one of the selected booster seats could not be correctly installed.
The Outlander has eight airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting, and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes, as well as a driver knee airbag, are also standard on all variants.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seat were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Mitsubishi Outlander:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car and the Mitsubishi Outlander didn't do so well in this, with a score of  31.61 out of 38 or 83% for Adult Occupant Protection with 6.84 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 5.59 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for both the pole test and the side impact test. Scoring 3.18 out of 4 for whiplash protection, 3 out of 4 for far side impact and 1 out of 2 for rescue and extraction.
9 – Mercedes-Benz GLCÂ – Scores 92% for Child Occupant Protection
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a luxury SUV.
Mercedes-Benz GLCs sold from June 2023 onwards scored 92% for child occupant protection, 45.39 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored 15.39 out of 16 the Dynanic Front Test and 8 out of 8 for the Dynamic Side Test. The Mercedes-Benz GLC also got 12 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset test, dummy readings indicated GOOD protection for all critical body areas of both child dummies, apart from the neck of the 10 year dummy where protection was rated as ADEQUATE.
In the side impact test, protection of all critical body areas was GOOD for both child dummies, and maximum points were scored.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on the rear outboard seats and top tether anchorages for all rear seating positions.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in all rear seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has eight airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags, as well as a driver knee airbag, are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats in the Mercedes-Benz GLC (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Mercedes-Benz GLC:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC didn't do as well in this, with a score of  35.20 out of 38 or 92% for Adult Occupant Protection with 7.68 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 6.63 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test and full marks for the side impact and 5 out of 6 for the pole test. Scoring 3.90 out of 4 for whiplash protection, 4 out of 4 for far side impact and 2 out of 2 for rescue and extraction.
10 – Mercedes-Benz EQE – Scores 92% for Child Occupant Protection
The Mercedes-Benz EQE is a large luxury car.
Mercedes-Benz EQEs sold from February 2023 onwards scored 92% for child occupant protection, 45.22 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the Dynanic Front Test and the Dynamic Side Test. The Mercedes-Benz EQE also got 11.22 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and maximum points were scored in these tests.
The Mercedes-Benz EQE is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on the rear outboard seats and top tether anchorages for all rear seating positions.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed most child restraints could be accommodated in most rear seating positions. However the Type A capsule could not be correctly installed in the rear outboard seating positions and one of the selected Type A convertible seats could not be correctly installed in rearward facing mode in the ouboard seats using the ISOfix anchorages.
The Mercedes-Benz EQE has eight airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags, as well as a driver knee airbag, are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats in the Mercedes-Benz EQE (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Mercedes-Benz EQE:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the Mercedes-Benz EQE did well in this, with a score of  36.37 out of 38 or 95% for Adult Occupant Protection with 7.91 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 6.55 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test and full marks for both the side impact and pole test. Scoring 3.91 out of 4 for whiplash protection and full marks for far side impact and rescue and extraction testing.
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