I am amazed that new cars are still coming out without it even as an option!
The number of vehicles with an electronic stability system has grown rapidly in the past few years, but it’s still not 100 percent. That’s on its way, however, because in 2012 the safety feature will be mandated as standard equipment by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As of the current 2008 model year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety lists 63 percent of all new cars, trucks and SUVs as equipped with stability control as a standard feature. There are a number of ways you can find which cars have an electronic stability system as standard equipment, including in the Cars.com research section in a vehicle summary’s safety section.
IIHS and NHTSA provide searchable lists of vehicles with an electronic stability system at their websites, IIHS.org and NHTSA’s Safercar.gov.
Learn more
Just buy a Honda they've had ESC on all their models for YEARS.
Karl...What planet are you on? HONDA does NOT offer ESC on all their models, and whatever models do offer it are upper level, or Honda's Accord (all models).
Get your facts straight!
Peace!!<-AladdinSane-
Karl...What planet are you on? HONDA does NOT offer ESC on all their models, and whatever models do offer it are upper level, or Honda's Accord (all models).
Get your facts straight!
Peace!!<-AladdinSane-
AV, get your facts straight. The Aura XE V6 has standard ESC for 2008, and all Auras have it standard for 2009.
I've never heard of anyone complain about the Legacy being tail-happy, although I agree that it needs standard ESC.
Karl, the Civic and Fit currently do not offer ESC on the mainstrem models. Only the Civic Si has it. No word on when Honda plans to offer it more widely.
2008 Saturn Astra has Stability Control & Traction Control on it with the side curtain air bags & side airbags.
Is there any way to find a chart or list of all cars (makes and models) 1995 - 2006 which lists whether ESC was Standard, Optional, or Not available. Someone has to have done a comparison at some time?
Mich
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you should never buy a car without stability control if you can afford one that does. this is even more crucial if you are in the market for an SUV or pickup truck. same goes for side curtain air bags.
both VW and Ford plan to make stability control standard for 2009. if only other automakers would follow, especially ones that make ESC difficult to get or dont even offer on some of their mainstram sedans that are becoming very important in today's market. Nissan's Altima and Sentra would both be great choices, but ESC isnt offered on the Sentra and requires many option packages on the Altima. here, the Sentra is in dire need of ESC, as its tail swings out very easily. the same goes for the Subaru Legacy. the Legacy would be a great budget sport sedan, but to get ESC you need to get a high level trim that is out of the proce range of many buyers. as with the Sentra, the Legacy's tail slides out very easily. Chrystler's Sebring and Dogde's Avenger only have ESC on the top-of the line 3.5L V6 engine. Saturn's Aura does not have ESC on the XE trim.