When it comes to purchasing a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), safety is the number one priority and concern. SUVs are known for their versatility, power, and spaciousness, making them a popular choice for families and adventure enthusiasts. However, their larger size and increased ride height also bring unique safety challenges for beginner and veteran drivers. It’s crucial to understand and prioritize the safety features available in modern SUVs, as explained in this comprehensive guide.

Here are the safety features to look for before buying an SUV:

1. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ESC is a crucial safety feature that helps prevent skidding and loss of control of the vehicle in slippery conditions. Where there is snow, rain, or just anything that makes the tires lose traction, ESC automatically applies brakes to individual wheels and reduces engine power. These calculations are spontaneous when the feature detects the vehicle is veering off the intended path. ESC is a potential lifesaver in adverse weather conditions and during sharp turns, all the while ensuring the SUV remains stable and under control.

2. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
ABS is another essential feature that works with the ESC circuits to prevent the wheels from locking up during hard braking. This feature prevents the SUV from skidding out of control and helps maintain stability while coming to a stop. When evaluating an SUV for purchase, check for advanced ABS systems that can adapt to various road conditions. These are premium but worthwhile upgrades.

3. Traction Control System (TCS)
Premium trims of branded SUVs even come with dedicated TCS that helps prevent wheel spin by adjusting engine power and applying brakes to the wheels with reduced traction. It’s handy when driving on slippery surfaces, like rain-soaked roads or icy terrain. An effective TCS contributes to better control and stability, especially when accelerating from a stop, to prevent too much power transfer from the engine to the driveshaft.

4. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) or Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
AWD and 4WD systems distribute power to all four wheels, improving traction in challenging driving conditions such as off-road trails or snow-covered roads. These systems enhance stability and control, making them ideal for SUVs driven in various environments, weather conditions, and terrain. Consider typical driving conditions to determine whether AWD or 4WD is more suitable, as there are subtle differences in the configuration of these systems.

5. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
ADAS encompasses a range of features that use sensors and cameras to enhance safety while driving at high speeds. Drivers can rely on cruise control, which automatically adjusts the SUV’s speed to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead and stay under the speed limit. Further, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assists alert when an SUV drifts out of its designated lane, even helping steer it back to maintain a straight line while driving.

6. Dedicated blind spot and collision controls
Blind Spot Monitoring further warns drivers of vehicles in the blind spot, thus reducing the risk of accidents during lane changes. Additionally, forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) detect impending collisions and apply the brakes if necessary to prevent any impact. All these systems work cohesively in real-time to provide accurate safety while driving.

7. Airbags
It goes without saying that one should never buy a vehicle without driver and passenger-side airbags, especially for larger vehicles like SUVs. It is important to confirm front, side, and curtain airbags and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger. The bags deploy upon the slightest impact, and the more airbags the SUV has, the better the protection in the event of a collision.

8. Child safety features
Modern-day vehicles also come fully equipped with child safety features that protect young children from mishaps. Prioritize SUVs with child safety features, such as rear-seat child door locks and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system for securing child seats. Some SUVs also offer integrated sunshades to protect children from the harsh sunlight.

9. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
AEB is different from ABS, as this feature is a hard braking safety added to prevent driver error while responding to any imminent threats on the road while driving at high speeds. AEB systems detect potential frontal collisions seconds before the impact and can apply the brakes if the driver doesn’t respond in time. This feature can be a lifesaver, especially in heavy traffic or when distracted driving is a concern.

10. High-quality tires
Tires endure the maximum strain and friction, leading to premature wear and thus losing traction. Especially for larger vehicles like SUVs, upgrading to premium-quality multi-layered tires with good tread depth is necessary to ensure optimal traction and handling, particularly in wet or snowy conditions.

11. Rearview camera and 360-degree camera
Reversing and backing a large vehicle can be quite challenging, especially when parking and maneuvering an SUV due to its size. A rearview camera helps drivers see obstacles directly behind them when reversing, while a 360-degree camera system provides a comprehensive view of the surroundings. These cameras reduce the risk of collisions when parking and enhance overall safety. Further, a cross-traffic alert system is beneficial when backing out of parking spaces or driveways. It alerts drivers to approaching vehicles from the side, reducing the risk of collisions in situations with limited visibility.

12. Adaptive headlights
Fog reduces visibility significantly, making it difficult to drive with regular headlights. For this problem, it’s better to consider and install adaptive headlights that automatically adjust their intensity and direction based on the steering angle and vehicle speed. These headlights improve nighttime visibility and enhance safety when driving on winding roads.

13. Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD)
EBD ensures that braking force is distributed optimally among all four wheels, improving stability and control during emergency braking. This eliminates driver error and prevents accidents due to faulty braking at high speeds. EBD works with ABS and ABD installed to compute safe stopping distances.

The bottom line is that before making a final decision, consult safety ratings from organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These organizations conduct rigorous crash tests and provide valuable insights into a vehicle’s safety performance.