Advanced safety features and technology making cars safer than ever, but several go above and beyond
A car's engine, headroom, stereo system, visibility and performance are all things that you'd likely be making notes of on a test drive. They comprise a car's attitude, its soul, and its character, and you'd be silly not to try them out before signing the dotted line.
But what you aren't going to try and check on your test drive is the vehicles safety features. Things like airbags, for instance, are features you never want to use.
But it's still important to know which of these features are installed, what they do and which cars have them available. Not all vehicles are created equal, and when it comes to safety, keeping you and your family well protected in the unfortunate case of an accident is a top priority.
As rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, these machines are 2007 "Top Picks" for safety conscious consumers.
Hyundai Entourage
Hyundai's minivan has received a top safety pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2007. With seating for 7 and standard safety features including driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, the Entourage impresses as the safest minivan on the road today. Traction control is also standard, as are ABS brakes, while higher-end models can be fitted with stability control as well. There's an alarm included too- for peace of mind.
Power comes from a 242 horsepower V6 engine- meaning adequate acceleration and passing reserves. Access to any row of seats is easy, and there is an abundance of storage space everywhere. With its impressive safety performance, roomy interior and handy features, the Hyundai Entourage starts at $30,000 and comes with a 100,000 kilometre warranty.
Kia Sedona
Kia's Sedona minivan uses much of the same hardware as the Entourage from parent company Kia. This includes the slew of standard airbags, and traction / stability control as standard. Four-wheel independent suspension ensures a car-like ride, while the 5-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels shifts gears nearly imperceptibly while cruising along in city traffic. Sedona LX starts at $29,495.
A car's engine, headroom, stereo system, visibility and performance are all things that you'd likely be making notes of on a test drive. They comprise a car's attitude, its soul, and its character, and you'd be silly not to try them out before signing the dotted line.
But what you aren't going to try and check on your test drive is the vehicles safety features. Things like airbags, for instance, are features you never want to use.
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| 2007 Hyundai Entourage |
But it's still important to know which of these features are installed, what they do and which cars have them available. Not all vehicles are created equal, and when it comes to safety, keeping you and your family well protected in the unfortunate case of an accident is a top priority.
As rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, these machines are 2007 "Top Picks" for safety conscious consumers.
Hyundai Entourage
Hyundai's minivan has received a top safety pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2007. With seating for 7 and standard safety features including driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, the Entourage impresses as the safest minivan on the road today. Traction control is also standard, as are ABS brakes, while higher-end models can be fitted with stability control as well. There's an alarm included too- for peace of mind.
Power comes from a 242 horsepower V6 engine- meaning adequate acceleration and passing reserves. Access to any row of seats is easy, and there is an abundance of storage space everywhere. With its impressive safety performance, roomy interior and handy features, the Hyundai Entourage starts at $30,000 and comes with a 100,000 kilometre warranty.
 |
| 2006 Kia Sedona |
Kia Sedona
Kia's Sedona minivan uses much of the same hardware as the Entourage from parent company Kia. This includes the slew of standard airbags, and traction / stability control as standard. Four-wheel independent suspension ensures a car-like ride, while the 5-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels shifts gears nearly imperceptibly while cruising along in city traffic. Sedona LX starts at $29,495.