This year's Chicago Auto Show featured nearly two dozen auto manufacturers vying for the Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice award, and taking the honors was the GMC Acadia crossover SUV. Sponsored by Bark Buckle UP, the Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice award recognizes vehicles that provide exemplary protection while offering pet-friendly traveling accommodations such as increased seating space and privacy glass to cut down on heat and glare during bright summer days.
The GMC Acadia has been named a top safety pick by the IIHS, and also achieved five-star crash safety ratings in NHSTA side- and front-impact tests. Assisting the Acadia in acquiring these top safety ratings includes numerous standard airbags -- two frontal airbags and two side-impact and head curtain airbags for all three rows of seating. Other features on the Acadia include standard OnStar service, a touch-screen navigation system, tri-zone automatic climate control, a remote power rear liftgate, privacy glass, and a large power-operated sun shade. A second-row smart-slide seating system provides quick access to the third-row seats, which are capable of folding into the floor for increased cargo space.
The 2008 Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice was the Volvo XC90.