How about the Chevy Equinox?

[MySweetAGL]

It has 5 stars in all categories, except 4 in rollover, from the NHTSA. It's not rated yet by IIHS.
Does it seem like it'd be a safe choice? I'm trying to find something very safe that's in my pricerange, and it's been a challenge to say the least. :(

[sirrahn]

It's very similar to the Saturn VUE (based on the same platform). I'm not positive that they would test the same, but I would think they would at least be close http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=446

[Tara]

What are you wanting? A safe SUV? Or X passenger capacity? What are you needs and budget, then perhaps we could better help you.

[skipspin]

My husband has a co-worker (single guy) that has had an Equinox for at least two years and still loves it. I have had my VUE for 3.5 yrs and love it. Have you looked at the VUE? It might be slightly less expensive and other than exterior and trim differences is the same as the Equinox. They are also both pretty good for three-across situations and my VUE has LATCH in all back seat positions. Oh, and the VUE has the "plastic" body panels- that would be another difference, one that I personally like.

HTH, I don't really know specifics on crach testing about it since it's been a while. I do like that it's lower than a lot of truck-based SUVs. It drives a little more like a car.

[CPSDarren]

The VUE did very well for most of the crash tests. Unfortunately, Saturn did not submit a model equipped with the optional side curtain airbags for an IIHS side impact crash test. Without these, the VUE did poorly.

If you do buy a VUE, insist on the optional side curtain airbags and stability control. I don't know much about the Equinox, sorry.

[Jeanum]

Yup, the Equinox is based on the Saturn Vue platform but with a longer wheelbase to allow for the Equinox's rear seat to move forward and backward on a track to create more leg room or more cargo room.

I agree with Darren to only consider a Vue with the side curtain airbags option, but I don't believe it's even offered with stability control and I think this is also true for the Equinox. GM really needs to make these features standard IMO. :mad: The Vue also has 3 full sets of lower LATCH anchors while the Equinox only has 2 outboard sets. Using both sets of the outboard lower LATCH anchors in the Equinox renders the center seatbelt useless because of the way they overlap.

My '03 Vue (former vehicle) protected me, DH and our oldest DD pretty well in a crash where I was side swiped at about 25-30 mph and shoved across the road and over the curb into a secondary frontal collision with two utility guide wires, narrowly missing the actual utility pole. My Vue had the side curtain airbags (DH and I wouldn't consider any vehicle without them basically) but neither the curtain airbags nor frontal airbags deployed. We walked away unhurt other than a couple of seatbelt marks. The Vue had about $10-11K of damage but not enough to total it. I found out my younger DD was on the way about a month after the crash. We did replace the Vue after it was repaired with a Sienna (with curtain airbags and stability control :) ) to have more seating capacity before DD #2 was born.

[MySweetAGL]

Thanks for all the replies. :)

I'm hoping to lease a new(er) SUV. I originally wanted to lease a new minivan, but the safer ones are way more expensive to lease than the SUVs. The problem is that I owe more on my car than it's worth, so I'm going to have to do some looking.
The VUE looks to cost about the same to lease as the Equinox. I will definitely look into both of them and see if I can possibly afford to lease one. The only problem is with both of them you have to have the upgraded model to get the side-curtain airbags. :mad: IMO, if they can make a vehicle safer with certain options, it should be STANDARD!

[Admin]

How about the new Kia Sedona? Great crash tests and all the standard safety features even on the base model at a bargain price...

[MySweetAGL]

How about the new Kia Sedona? Great crash tests and all the standard safety features even on the base model at a bargain price...

I would LOVE to have a Kia Sedona. However, the cheapest lease I could find was for $383/mo. :( I need to stay around $250-$300. :(

[Unregistered]

We looked at the Sedona, but were not impressed because there was almost NO cargo room. ( My double stroller wouldn't even fit in the cargo area)
MW

[PJHJ]

The Kia Sedona and New Hyundai Entourage are nice, though a bit pricy. The Chev. Equinox is a resaonably priced vehicle. It's based on the extended Theta platform (the Vue uses the same platform as well as the 2007 Suzuki XL-7). Another great SUV at a resonable price is the Suzuki Grand Vitara. It shares a few components with the Equinox (they're both built in Ingersoll, ON). The Grand Vitara received 4 stars vs. 5 stars that the Vue and Equinox received in a frontal crash but it's rated as less likely to roll over than the Vue. The Grand Vitara also has font, side, and side curtain airbags standard, along with ABS, Electronic Stabilization Program and traction control. For the price it's hard to beat.