The 2019 Jeep Wrangler, part of the redesigned models from 2018-2021 (replacing the Wrangler JK), underwent rigorous crash testing. This analysis focuses on the driver-side small overlap frontal test results, which notably impacted the vehicle’s overall safety rating. It’s important to understand these findings, especially for those in automotive repair and safety assessment.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted two driver-side small overlap frontal tests on the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4-door 4wd. In both Institute tests, a significant event occurred: the vehicle tipped onto its passenger side upon striking the barrier. This partial rollover is a critical safety concern, introducing injury risks beyond standard crash test measurements. Consequently, the Jeep Wrangler’s overall rating was downgraded to marginal due to this unacceptable outcome in a frontal crash scenario.
Despite the marginal overall rating stemming from the rollover issue, the 2019 Jeep Wrangler demonstrated “Good” ratings in several key evaluation criteria. The structure and safety cage of the vehicle held up well during the crash. Furthermore, driver injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were all rated as “Good.” Driver restraints and dummy kinematics also received a “Good” rating, indicating effective occupant control during the impact.
Examination of the dummy positioning after the crash tests revealed that the driver’s survival space was indeed maintained effectively. This indicates that the structural integrity of the cabin played a role in protecting the occupant, despite the rollover.
The dummy’s movement was well-controlled, and the frontal airbag performed as intended by containing the head until rebound. However, it’s noteworthy that the combination head and torso side airbag lacks sufficient forward coverage to adequately protect the head from contacting forward side structure or external objects. Crucially, the 2019 Jeep Wrangler is not equipped with side curtain airbags, a feature increasingly standard in modern vehicles for enhanced side impact protection.
Data from the crash tests also indicated a low risk of injuries to the dummy’s legs and feet. This is consistent with the “Good” rating for lower leg/foot injury measures, reinforcing the vehicle’s strengths in certain areas of occupant protection.
However, it’s crucial to reiterate that the partial rollover observed in the small overlap frontal crash test introduces an additional and significant injury risk. This risk is not fully captured by standard crash test criteria and led to the “Marginal” overall rating for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler in this specific test.
In conclusion, while the 2019 Jeep Wrangler demonstrates robust occupant protection in terms of structural integrity and restraint systems during a small overlap frontal crash, the propensity for rollover significantly diminishes its overall safety performance in this scenario, resulting in a marginal rating. This is a critical consideration when evaluating the safety of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler models.
