Third Coast Auto Group Official Blog
What vehicles are safest for parents and kids?
By Product Expert | Posted in Tips and Tricks on Monday, July 9th, 2018 at 9:54 pm
We’ve written before about the family-friendly features on minivans and SUVs, but in this blog we wanted to focus in on a topic near and dear to the hearts of parents. Are minivans or SUVs safer? Both of these styles of vehicles offer up to three rows of seating and plenty of cargo-carrying capacity, but which ones can keep your loved ones safest in the event of an accident? Check out some considerations below.
Are minivans or SUVs safer?
When it comes to the nitty gritty details of driving and crash testing, it’s always best to look at a specific year, make and model of a vehicle because crash test results and available crash prevention technology can vary significantly. However, there are some things that are generally true about minivans and SUVs.
Rollover Risk
Because of their tall ride height, SUVs are more likely than minivans to roll over in accidents. This can throw passengers around the cabin, and could be very dangerous if the roof strength of the vehicle isn’t enough to protect passengers. That same tall ride height can offer drivers more visibility, but it does add that danger.
Weight and Maneuverability
SUVs generally offer more performance capability than minivans, and in many cases can be heavier. That gives them a slight advantage when it comes to coming into contact with other vehicles.
Crash Prevention Features
Minivans and SUVs will often offer similar crash prevention features in different years. Sometimes you can get a minivan equipped with driver assistance features for less than an equivalent SUV, but depending on the make and model these vehicles can offer similar technology.
What’s the best way to keep kids safe on the road?
Buying a minivan or SUV with great crash test ratings and driver assistance features is a good idea, but one of the best ways to keep your child safe in a vehicle is to correctly install their child safety seat, belt them in properly, and be sure that they are using a seat that is the correct size for their height and weight. This is one of the most reliable ways to help children survive accidents.
