SAFETY TANKS SURVEY: SUV OWNERS WANT MORE.

Byline: Robert Monroe Staff Writer

AGOURA HILLS - Sure, the chic Humvee might be able to slow 50 mm rounds fired at it, but does it come with smart air bags?

It's not enough that sport utility vehicles are ever more tank-like. Consumers want more safety features in their SUVs, but have trouble finding them, according to a J.D. Power and Associates survey released Thursday.

Owners of high-end SUVs most want extreme extras such as adaptive cruise control and proximity sensors, the survey said. They also want night vision, a military feature limited to only the most luxurious of models.

``They're kind of available on top-level SUVs, but not where the majority of sales are taking place,'' said Jacques DaCosta, J.D. Power senior manager of product research.

In the survey, the most desired safety feature was anti-lock brakes followed distantly by side-impact air bags, assisted braking and stability control. Automakers say that if those features are not offered now, they will be soon.

General Motors spokesman Greg Martin said safety options are introduced during periodic model redesigns. For instance, the Cadillac Escalade SUV will undergo a remodel in which side-impact air bags and stability control will become options.

``The introduction of safety systems is timed with the introduction of new models and consumer safety preferences. All those have to line up,'' Martin said.

The survey found that 75 percent of respondents said they want side-impact air bags on their next vehicle but that the feature is only available in 20 percent of vehicles.

Other features such as the adaptive cruise control, in which the car gauges distance between it and other objects, are only available in Jaguars to the knowledge of Ford spokeswoman Sara Tatchio.

``Some of them are pretty far out,'' she said.

The Mercedes M class SUVs, retailing for roughly $42,000, and the BMW X5, at $57,000 for the V-8, offer the most major safety features, DaCosta said. They lack only the cruise control, night vision, run-flat tires and rear air bags.

DaCosta added that on the majority of SUVs, such features lag because the giant wagons began their existence on rough-and-tumble truck platforms, which traditionally have had few creature comforts built in.

``Some of these features aren't tack-on features,'' he said. ``They're generally playing catch up.''

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Although vehicles such as the Hummer, above, pack a big punch, a J.D. Powers survey found that most SUV owners want additional safety features.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News