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2008 Chevrolet Equinox Safety Review

July 22, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front and side impacts
NHTSA

Good" rating in frontal-offset crash testing
IIHS

excellent crash test scores
Edmunds

With one of the best safety records of any SUV, the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox delivers considerable peace of mind to drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox at five stars for all front and side impacts, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) deems its front-impact protection “good.”

Cars.com points out the Equinox has "optional side curtain airbags," (they’re actually standard on LTZ versions), and adds that front airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control all are standard.

While most safety features on the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox are lauded, the visibility beyond some basic design elements is criticized by ConsumerGuide. They are unimpressed by the way its "thick front roof pillars obscure visibility at stop signs." And, while necessary for vehicle integrity in rollover accidents, "rear vision is hindered by thick side and rear pillars."

Conclusion

The 2008 Chevrolet Equinox is among the highest-rated SUVs for crash protection, but side curtain airbags are an option.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front and side impactsNHTSAGood" rating in frontal-offset crash testingIIHSexcellent crash test scoresEdmunds With one of the best safety records of any SUV, the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox delivers considerable peace of mind to drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox at five stars for all front and side impacts, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) deems its front-impact protection “good.” Cars.com points out the Equinox has "optional side curtain airbags," (they’re actually standard on LTZ versions), and adds that front airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control all are standard. While most safety features on the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox are lauded, the visibility beyond some basic design elements is criticized by ConsumerGuide. They are unimpressed by the way its "thick front roof pillars obscure visibility at stop signs." And, while necessary for vehicle integrity in rollover accidents, "rear vision is hindered by thick side and rear pillars." ConclusionThe 2008 Chevrolet Equinox is among the highest-rated SUVs for crash protection, but side curtain airbags are an option.  2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: "handsomely styled" Kelley Blue Book: "ill-fitting plastic, ho-hum cloth upholstery and a general lack of sophistication" ConsumerGuide: "overall quality still significantly trails most rivals" Autoblog: "dowdy and ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

There are plenty of compact crossovers competing for your dollar. The best in the class of five-seaters is the Honda CR-V, which has controversial new styling but still offers the best dynamics and assembly quality in the class. The Ford Escape and Saturn Vue have been reengineered for the 2008 model year, the Saturn much more heavily. Both are offered with hybrid powertrains, but neither has as much second-row seating room as the Equinox. All three feel considerably more refined than the Equinox, however.

Next Steps:

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See the Chevrolet Equinox in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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