In any midsize SUV you choose, consider its safety features. Active safety features help the driver avoid an accident:

• Antilock Braking System(ABS) which allows you to steer your SUV vehicle under full braking power.

• Antiskid Systems utilizes various sensors to detect a skid, and then works with the antilock brake system to apply individual brakes to help keep the SUV vehicle on its intended path. This system helps the SUV driver to maintain the intended path on slippery roads. It is specially important on heavy midsize SUVs where the grip of a four all-wheel drive or all-wheel drive system might have drivers going too fast through turns.

• Roll Stability Control works to a large extent like an antiskid system, but uses additional sensors to detect an impending SUV rollover. They can't avert SUV rollovers caused by hitting a curb or sliding into a ditch.

• Rear-obstacle Detection when the SUV vehicle is in reverse, sensors embedded in the rear bumper detect an object behind the vehicle and alert the driver through audible tones. The high ride height of midsize SUVs can prevent drivers from seeing behind them when backing up, so rear-obstacle detection makes sense and could be a lifesaver.

Passive safety features help protect occupants in the occurrence of an accident. You should consider both safety features when shopping for a mid size SUV vehicle.

• Airbags with sensors that determine the occupant's size and position. Whether a seatbelt is in use and the severity of the crash all determine the force with which the airbag is deployed.

• A Seatbelt pretension which takes the slack out of seatbelts quickly and automatically under heavy braking or in a frontal crash, are standard in most mid size SUV vehicles.