Moms looking for a family ride are looking for a car that prioritizes safety, reliability, practicality, good fuel economy and comfortable seats. Larger families may need a third row, and those living in colder regions should consider all-wheel drive. The ideal choice promises durability and a hassle-free driving experience, delivering great long-term value.
Modern cars often come equipped with advanced safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, etc. However, features such as rear seat reminders and safe exit assist provide additional protection for children, increasing the car’s appeal as a family-friendly vehicle.
For moms who prioritize safety over all other considerations, the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating may be the deciding factor. So, here are the best cars for moms: safe, beautiful and practical.
2024 Mazda CX-50
It’s not as big as some of the cars on this list, but adventure-loving moms want a vehicle that’s ready for the challenges ahead without sacrificing Top Safety Pick+, comfort, and luxury. Consider the CX-50 a beefier cousin to the CX-5, retaining beloved features like a luxurious interior, user-friendly infotainment system and a powerful 256-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged engine.
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 connectivity, vehicle health monitoring and remote starting via the MyMazda app.
The CX-50’s interior impresses with premium features, wireless charging, Bose sound, blind-spot monitoring and an optional power liftgate for when small children can’t reach it.
2024 Genesis GV60
Despite Tesla’s dominance in high-end electric vehicles, other car manufacturers have entered the competition. The Genesis GV60 offers a distinct take on the electric crossover, blurring the lines between SUV and hatchback. With its sleek design and battery layout, the GV60 delivers a balanced driving experience. It boasts impressive acceleration regardless of the selected powertrain configuration.
Earning top scores in all six IIHS crash tests and a top rating for forward collision mitigation system, the 2024 GV60, as expected, earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. It’s a solid choice for moms looking for a new compact SUV.
2024 Acura Integra
Integra retains its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation for the second year in a row, as well as a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. S-type models do not have full NHTSA ratings, but excel in rollover ratings. 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 similarity to the Honda Civic and similar highway noise levels, the Integra offers an attractive entry-level luxury option for moms that combines affordability, functionality and fuel efficiency with the sportiness of the Type S variant.
2024 Toyota Prius and Prius Prime
The 2024 Toyota Prius earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award despite receiving acceptable scores in the updated moderate-overlap front test and headlight evaluation. Families with young children will give LATCH top marks. Although the plug-in hybrid version doesn’t score in the updated moderate front overlap test, it earns the second-highest Top Safety Pick award. Like our beloved Hilux GR Sport, the Prius comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with 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, and lane change assist is available on Prius Prime models. The new Prius, redesigned for 2023, offers increased power, a smoother ride and responsive steering. Moms may find the interior design functional, although instrument cluster visibility and rear headroom could be better. For those not interested in all-wheel drive, the Prius Prime offers improved acceleration and an impressive 44 miles of EV range.
2024 Honda Accord
For the fourth year in a row, the Honda Accord has earned Top Safety Pick+ status. This year, the midsize sedan received good ratings in all crash test categories, as well as good headlight scores and high scores in the LATCH ease-of-use rating. Standard features on the 2024 Accord include lane keep assist, traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with low-speed tracking, lane departure warning and automatic high beams. Despite minimal innovation over its predecessor, the 11th-generation Accord remains a top choice for families, offering secure handling, a spacious cabin and a responsive gasoline engine. While higher-trim models sacrifice some ride comfort for larger wheels, they may suffer from more road noise than competitors. The hybrid variant gets Honda’s premium features, albeit with a brake pedal that lacks sufficient feedback.
2024 Genesis G80 and G80 Electric
A number of Genesis vehicles have received IIHS recognition for 2024, including the G80 sedan. The electric version takes top honors, while the petrol version gets the standard safety kit. Both models’ headlights received an “Acceptable” rating. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, speed limit assist, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic collision mitigation assist. Some models are equipped with Highway Driving Assist II. The G80 boasts attractive looks, a luxurious interior and good value, but it lags behind European rivals in driving dynamics and powertrain refinement. Despite its strengths, it doesn’t quite live up to the status of other Genesis models like the G70 and G90. The electric version offers smoother, quieter, and faster performance that working moms love, but it does sacrifice interior space due to the placement of the battery pack.
