Safety Features Make SUVs Slightly Less Lame

The NYTimes writes on The 2 New 'Must Have' of Auto Safety and shows a picture of an SUV making a standard K-turn (haha, just kiddin'). No, no, The Times is referring to: 1. lots of airbags (good thing) and 2. electronic stability control (even better thing). And they are showing an SUV because of their want to rollover at the (quick) turn of the wheel (and it makes for a great picture).

And let us say this: we appreciate SUVs not flipping over in front of us. But something doesn't seem right here. Adding stability control to a vehicle that has built-in stability issues is a little weird -- how about get rid of the design?! Why do people drive SUVs? Oh, look, we know some people like 'em... that's fine. But we just got over being confused by the lady (Mustang to SUV) who traded in her Explorer for a new 2005 Ford Mustang (which prompted us to say What the?!) and now it's happening again.

For example, here's some dude at Ford:

Priya Prasad, a top safety expert at the Ford Motor Company, said he now buys only vehicles equipped with both features, like the Mercury Mountaineer sport utility vehicle equipped with both curtain air bags and stability control he bought for his 23-year-old daughter. Mr. Prasad cited several recent studies for his opinion. "The effectiveness numbers are extremely high," he said. "These numbers are approaching what the seat belt does."

What the?! Hello, safety dude?! SUVs aren't the safest around... you can't possibly be unfamiliar with this notion.

Look, we're not knocking the technology -- it's great. In fact, it's better than great, it's life-saving. But we really, really don't understand buying an SUV for the safety features when you are looking, in this case from above, to protect your most valued possession (for lack of a better word). Cars are safer than SUVs... In fact SUVs need this technology (lots of airbags and electronic stability control) just to compete in the safety game (remember, SUVs rollover just for fun!)... and what's with a safety dude buying an SUV? We understand he works for Ford (Ford owns Mercury) but you'd think he would push the new based-on-the-Volvo-S80 Ford Five Hundred if he was going to use the safety-angle to push any new Ford product.

*Note to SUV owners: Have 'fridge delivered.

Comments

[palkaai]

forget about suvs... if the dont sell good in europe, it will soon be a the big late fashion / trend. Sports cars and smart-likes are here to stay

http://www.luckyautos.com/
purchase car

[WebSurfinMurf]

Who is We?
"But we just got over being confused..."
"We understand he works for Ford..."
I am not part of the "We" group here, SUV's are the best thing around, big, gas guzzling and tough. They scream I'm an American, don't screw with me.

If I'm going ride such a testosterone toy, I want to be safe as my Ford Explorer crushes your car in an accident. Gimme some curtain airbags and stability control. What's wrong with that?

Go back to France with your sisse anti-american car lover!

:)

All kidding aside, nice site.
(Feel free to delete at will)

[Tom]

You are right. Also, the most important safety feature for an SUV -- better than any technology -- is a mental adjustment on the part of the driver. An SUV should be driven like a big truck, not like a sports car. The type of driver who wants to be able to make radical steering inputs at high speed should forget about SUVs and get a sports car.