Safe,Larger Automobiles-Please recommend, Thank You. (F150, SUV, AWD, best)

[Positiveone]

Hello everybody! Can anyone give me a few names and makes of safe larger SUV's ,Trucks or I guess Caravans to choose from. We are a family of 4, have 2 young children. And as of right now we are driving older Nissan Sentra's , those cars are to small for us, and after being in an accident those cars are not so safe. We don't know all that much about good quality made SAFE cars. Safe as far as crash tests. I mentioned larger automobiles due to road trips into the mountains. 4 wheel drive would be awesome. Our price range isn't all that high , I guess up to 18,000 max, prefer a brand new car but would settle for a resale within 3 years old. Please help us and recommend what you can!!

Thanks so much!!!

[wagonproject]

Are you looking for a mid size suv? (ie. Chevy Blazer, Escape, etc.)
A large suv? (Suburban, Tahoe, etc)
Or do you need a truck bed for hauling items that you can't fit in the back of a suv?

I would not by a new car unless you are dead set on it, as as soon as you drive it off the lot your loosing thousands of dollars.

I have a 2003 Chevy Blazer, 4 door for a winter vehicle. I really like it, it may be a little small for a family. My girlfriend has a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer, which I would really recommend. Its spacious, does good in snow, and handles nice.

[Positiveone]

Thanks for the qucik response. Well we are not really sure what size, if its in our price range then we prefer a larger car, Like up to 18,000 max. We do not need a truck bed. 4 wheel drive we do want. Safety and size is what we are looking for. We do travel up in the snow mountains here & there. But i guess safe larger cars is what we want to know about. Everybody please help!!

Thanks

Originally Posted by wagonproject

Are you looking for a mid size suv? (ie. Chevy Blazer, Escape, etc.)
A large suv? (Suburban, Tahoe, etc)
Or do you need a truck bed for hauling items that you can't fit in the back of a suv?

I would not by a new car unless you are dead set on it, as as soon as you drive it off the lot your loosing thousands of dollars.

I have a 2003 Chevy Blazer, 4 door for a winter vehicle. I really like it, it may be a little small for a family. My girlfriend has a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer, which I would really recommend. Its spacious, does good in snow, and handles nice.

[yo vanilla]

i guess i'll be the first one to say that safety and big size do not neccessarily go hand in hand. google up a mid 90's F150 front end crash test for instance.

look at a subaru outback. good size, 4wd, best crash ratings in the business.

[oz in SC]

Just posted in another thread about our Trailblazer.

4WD,power most everything(except power drivers seat,I find that strange), can carry a lot,easily seats four people and two dogs.

We paid less than $18,000 for it when we bought it.

It is a 2004 and we have had it almost two years now.

Full size cars with 4wd will be difficult,Jaguar X-types are AWD...and in your price range.