Drive & Tell: He’s Safe (+ Hunky Firemen Pics!)

We’ll be bringing Baby Girl #2 home in the Chevy Equinox.  Her first car ride!  With her due date fast approaching, Ella and I visited our local Firehouse #3 to have the car seats installed.  Steve T. did all the work for us and now I know they’re installed correctly.  Thanks, Steve!  This was one errand this Mommy did not mind running.

Safety is my #1 priority when choosing a car.  I can make sacrifices in other areas but not this one.  I did some research on the safety features and here’s what I found.

The 2010 Equinox has not yet been tested by the federal government or the insurance industry. 

However, the 2009 Equinox received:
5 stars for driver and passenger safety in a frontal crash test
4 stars for front and rear safety in side impact crashes
4 stars for rollover resistance

Here are some of the safety features on the 2010 model by category.

Airbags:
Front – Driver & Passenger
Side Impact – Driver & Passenger, Seat Mounted
Side Curtain – 1st & 2nd row
All airbags have an occupancy sensor.  (Meaning they are turned off when no one is in the seat.)

Traction Control:
ABS & driveline

OnStar Emergency Assistance & Stolen-Vehicle Tracking

On the Key:
Remote Keyless Entry
Panic Alarm
Theft-Deterrent Alarm System

Rear Child Safety Door Locks
 
LATCH system for car seat installation:
The LATCH system is equipped to accomodate 3 car seats in the back.  In my opinion, that would be a tight fit, depending on the type of car seats you have.  It accomodates our two car seats very nicely.

Baby Girl is due in less than ONE WEEK!  Stay tuned for Baby Girl’s first ride home from the hospital in the Chevy Equinox!

Sources: 
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Chevrolet_Equinox/Safety/
http://www.internetautoguide.com/crash-tests/09-int/2009/chevrolet/equinox/index.html