7 of the Safest SUVs for Families to Buy Used

Traveling with your little ones can often be challenging. Between making sure that you have all the snacks required to make it from Point A to Point B without tantrums to remembering to bring the necessities (like strollers, diaper bags, and your youngster’s favorite stuffed animal), chances are you have a lot on your mind. What you don’t want to worry about is whether or not your car is going to give you what you need for a successful outing to the park for a playdate. Families need space—this much is obvious—which draws most parents to SUVs, especially when driving a minivan is regarded as “uncool.”

Another non-negotiable is safety, and when you want to get all the features you demand while also ensuring that your vehicle is safe and fits effortlessly into your budget, you’ll want to shop used—a choice that is becoming increasingly popular among families in Warren County. If you’re seeking used cars for sale near Mason, then explore the selection here at McCluskey Chevrolet, especially if a used SUV is on your mind. Whether you’re in need of a large and accommodating family shuttler or a small-size model will do, you’ll find what you’re looking for to enhance your time chauffeuring the kids to all the places they need to go. Here are seven of our favorites when it comes to the safest used SUVs for families…

#1. Honda Pilot

Many families are drawn to midsize three-row models like the Honda Pilot, especially when they don’t want to wield an obnoxiously large vehicle on I-71. Of course, if you want to enjoy some of the most advanced features available, you’ll want to find a relatively new model, and models from the Pilot’s fourth generation are our go-to picks. Launched for the 2023 model year, fourth-gen Pilots showcase outstanding safety features via the Honda Sensing suite, which includes everything from blind-spot monitoring to adaptive cruise control and virtually everything in between. Honda is already known to be a safe and reliable brand, and the Pilot has been on the IIHS Top Safety Pick list for years. With the fourth generation’s more robust, rugged build, feeling more secure on the highway is guaranteed in this safe and spacious family traveler.

#2. Chevy Suburban

Mason families who need optimal space for their brood and all their must-have gear will be drawn to full-size offerings like the Chevy Suburban. Not only does this commanding SUV showcase a cavernous interior, but it’s also abundantly safe, especially when you choose models from 2022 and newer, as these offer more advanced features to ensure maximum safety on board. From a Buckle-to-Drive feature that won’t shift out of ‘park’ unless the driver and front passenger are buckled to the Super Cruise hands-free driving tool (which became available on top-level trims starting in 2023), the Suburban creates the ideal ride for families traveling to school, appointments, sports practice, and even weekend adventures to Kings Island in the summer. Plus, with its large and powerful stance, you’ll have ultimate confidence while riding in this trusted family traveler.

#3. Ford Explorer

Another frequent IIHS Top Safety Pick is the midsize Ford Explorer, a trusted favorite for Mason families, especially models like those from 2020, which received a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Explorer watches out for you from front to back, with features like Forward Collision Warning (to help mitigate or prevent damage when an obstacle in front of you is detected) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (which helps you avoid striking obstacles behind you). More adventurous families will be drawn to newer Explorers that offer the off-road-ready Timberline trim, which made its debut for the 2021 model year. This rugged outfit has features to help you take on uneven ground and inclement weather with ease, with access to all-terrain tires, a lifted stance, and more durable design elements to set it apart from the rest.

#4. Genesis GV80

Mason parents who want to ride down Route 42 in elegance will be drawn to the Genesis GV80, a luxury midsize SUV that showcases a sophisticated persona at a reasonable price, especially when you buy used. This model has only been available since 2021, so any year’s iteration will offer you a safe and reliable ride. Available all-wheel-drive capabilities help you take on bad weather and road conditions with control, while standard adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving allows you to coast down the road with more precision as the system learns your driving style and seamlessly handles just like you do. With plenty of space for your family, as well as top-level features for all to enjoy, this midsize SUV is a great pick for discerning drivers who demand more in their everyday vehicles.

#5. Subaru Ascent

Subaru is a name that’s associated with safety, value, and quality. When you want to be able to trust in your family vehicle, a Subaru won’t let you down—especially the midsize Ascent. This family-oriented traveler made its debut for the 2019 model year and received quite a substantial refresh in 2023, with features like improved adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. It comes standard with legendary all-wheel-drive capabilities, as well as the celebrated EyeSight driver assistance suite, earning it a spot on the IIHS Top Safety Pick list year after year. If you want a safe and dependable family vehicle that holds its value among the best in the industry, the Ascent is it.

#6. Toyota Highlander

Not only is the midsize Highlander perfectly equipped to handle families’ needs, but it’s another IIHS Top Safety Pick, armed with a superior suite of advanced safety tech, a solid build, and Toyota’s iconic reliability. As you take the kids to Corwin-Nixon Park, you’ll have absolute confidence in your vehicle, with the Highlander’s rugged stance taking you everywhere you need to go with certainty. Models from 2021 and newer have an abundance of safety tech, including semi-automated steering assistance to help prevent accidents, providing you with the help you require to steer clear of collisions. Through the Toyota Safety Sense suite, you’ll have access to an assortment of advanced features to improve your ride.

#7. Chevy Equinox

You may not think that families will be drawn to small-size offerings like the Chevy Equinox, but not every family requires a large and in-charge vehicle to make their way to all their destinations. The compact Equinox is a great way for smaller families to travel anywhere they wish to go, with top-level safety features at their fingertips. Newer Equinox models come standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which provides you with everything from lane-keeping assistance to adaptive cruise control and all kinds of other driver assistance features. This model has earned five stars from the NHTSA in safety testing—so, with its durable and practical build, anyone can see themselves riding in this best-selling Chevy SUV.

Seven Exceptionally Safe SUVs for Mason Families

It’s clear that you have many options when it comes to your travels. Whether you’re in need of a large and spacious full-size model or a midsize offering is more in tune with your lifestyle, rest assured that there’s a slew of safe SUVs available designed for families. Fortunately, you’ll find many of these right here at McCluskey Chevrolet, offering you the selection you need to help you travel safely and confidently with your precious cargo in tow.