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Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Santa Fe vs Jeep Liberty vs Ford Escape vs Saturn Vue

4940 messages,  Last post on Sep 24, 2009 at 9:33 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Liberty, Ford Escape, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Saturn VUE, SUV

#3297 of 4940 ABS Essential! by xccoachlou Oct 20, 2002 (3:07 pm)
I will *NOT* repeat, NOT buy a new car without ABS. There have been more than a few times, when drivers unaware of what constitutes a safe stopping distance, have cut me off. The ABS has saved me several times.   I do not understand why some companies have chosen to neglect this safety feature, or others think you only need it if you want a sunroof.   As someone else said, "Stomp on the brake and steer" - what a concept!
#3298 of 4940 Crash test results by xccoachlou Oct 20, 2002 (4:50 pm)
The forester did much much better than competition listed here. Some of those other vehicles crumpled like a cheap suit, or something like that.
#3299 of 4940 "crumpled like a cheap suit"??? by scape2 Oct 20, 2002 (5:57 pm)
All cars/trucks/SUV's have to meet minimum safety requirements. I agree some may do better than others. But to try to make the Forester out to be a tank and the others a tin can won't work. The Forester has its weaknesses also. Wagon like styling, no V6, acceleration weak, no towing ability, GVWR, interior room dimensions to name a few....
#3300 of 4940 ABS on the Liberty by mad0865 Oct 20, 2002 (6:17 pm)
Is an option. A lot of the hard core 4x4er's will tell you that it's not a good option. I personally have it on there because it's saved my arse a few times.
#3301 of 4940 well maybe not like a cheap suit by xccoachlou Oct 20, 2002 (7:22 pm)
Compared to those other SUV's, yes the Forester is a tank. From the IIHS web site: http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0214.htm - Subaru Forester http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0105.htm - Ford Escape & Mazda Tribute http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0105.htm - Hyundai Santa Fe did much better than the Ford SUV's. http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0212.htm - Saturn Vue http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0127.htm - Jeep Liberty Ok, so only the Ford/Mazda SUV's really got banged up. I was thinking of the Chevy Blazer which received a POOR rating - http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/96002.htm The Santa Fe and the Vue all have "Poor" bumpers.
#3303 of 4940 by daveghh Oct 20, 2002 (7:30 pm)
TANKS!!! Forester CRV Tissue paper!!! Escape
#3304 of 4940 those pesky telephone poles by xccoachlou Oct 20, 2002 (7:34 pm)
If you live in an urban area, that bumper test rating is one to look at carefully.   Sure as day, some ignoramus type moron will either   1) Try to create a parking space where there is none.   2) Speed into a parking lot and give your car a nice little "love tap".   3) Send a shopping cart crashing into your car.   4) All of the above.   And let's not forget when the local utility suddenly puts a telephone pole where none existed for many years, dare I say since the dawn of time!   I didn't christen it, but one of my neighbors found out his bumper didn't quite pass the <5 MPH test. - Lou
#3305 of 4940 ABS by baggs32 Oct 21, 2002 (4:52 am)
"But I was always really glad that all Subies come standard with it. Do any of the other models listed here come standard with it?   I know CRV and RAV4 do not. Also optional on Escape/Tribute. Santa FE? Liberty?"   It is only optional on the base models in the Escape/Tribute. All XLT's come with standard ABS. I too would not buy a vehicle without ABS. My old ZX2 had it, and anyone who has driven a small light car in the snow will know that you need all the help you can get sometimes.   On the crash tests: I can't find the numbers for the new Forester, but I do know (or at least am pretty sure) that the Escape/Tribute handle slightly better and brake better than the others on the list including the CR-V. I'm guessing that the Forester handles better because it is a car.   Active safety is a big part of the vehicle's overall safety rating too.
#3306 of 4940 No Offense by paisan Oct 21, 2002 (4:56 am)
I'm guessing that the Forester handles better because it is a car. Your beloved Escape/Tribute is also a "car"   -mike

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