 | Nate Evans is a 4th generation owner and operator of Evans Motors located in Pittsburg and Girard. Evans Motors has been in business and serving the area since 1935. For more information call 1-888-414-3890 or visit www.evansmotors.net. |
Cars, Trucks, Vans & Automotive
2010-11-01 13:31:00
How safe are today’s SUVs?
Answer: There were many factors playing a role in the early assessments of SUVs and a generally negative image emerged. Two of the issues, rollovers and the danger to other vehicles were widely publicized. Safety should be a first concern, no matter what type of vehicle we are considering, and today’s SUVs have addressed those issues with sophisticated technologies.
It is impossible to run through every make and model, but I would like to give you a couple of examples. Many companies have incorporated systems that have greatly reduced the potential for rollover. For example, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain received the highest possible rollover protection rating of “Good” in the first Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rollover tests of midsize SUVs and crossovers, one of four tests leading to both vehicles receiving the institute’s Top Safety Pick award. Ford has added an array of safety features like forward collision warning with brake mitigation, advanced cruise control, and inflatable rear seatbelts to the 2011 Explorer. These rear inflatable seat belts fill-up with cold compressed air in 40 milliseconds, enough time to inflate within two feet of a collision or rollover.
Additionally, car companies have redesigned the bumper system on their SUVs to prevent other cars from sliding under them in the event of a front collision. This is just a small example of how manufacturers have taken steps to improve the safety of SUVs they are building. Overall, SUVs have come a long way from where they were and, with the help of technology, compare favorably with many models of cars.
