Fred/N0AZZ

Well they received one Good (their best rating) the 2015 4 dr. Wrangler and a poor rating the new Cherokee (the bottom of the pile).


Guess that shows up where the "NEW" ownership build models are going with Fiat at the wheel.


This test was a frontend 1/4 off to either side hit, the poor ones really folded up.

extrashaky

extrashaky

Here's the Wrangler.

ATNC325

...it'll buff out, yeah saw those reports last night on the news, no good

1976gmc20

What was the rating on the XJ ???


I just try to avoid running into things.

extrashaky

The IIHS didn't start the small overlap tests until 2012, so the XJ was not evaluated on that test. Prior to that, a lot of cars that did fine on the moderate overlap tests were involved in real-world small overlap accidents where people were seriously injured or killed when the crash tests suggested they shouldn't have been. The small overlap causes people to be jolted forward and to the side, so that they miss the front airbag or slide between the front and curtain airbags and hit the a-pillar or door. You'll see that that's what happens to the dummy in the KL.

The test results in 2012 were a huge eye opener, as a lot of cars that had otherwise good results did very poorly in the small overlap test. The vehicle manufacturers had been designing for the crash tests, and since this particular scenario hadn't been tested, it represented a hole in their safety systems. They're obviously still trying to figure this out.

The fact that the Wrangler did so well is really a lucky accident. If you watch the video, you see that the Wrangler has an advantage over most vehicles just because of its shape. The narrow front end sitting over that wide axle and flimsy fenders allows it to just slide right past the obstacle without transmitting nearly as much force to the occupants. The axle slows it down, but since it's attached further back and on the other side, the occupant's momentum keeps going forward into the front airbag instead of to the side like in other vehicles. If you were to move that obstacle a few inches over so that it catches the front of the vehicle more securely, you might see different results.

1976gmc20

Well, at least I don't have to worry about missing the airbag on my Jeep

andrewmp6

The new 1/4 front impact is hard to pass a lot of small cars fail it bad.

Fred/N0AZZ

Yup that's why I drive big cars like my Town Car and the WJ hope it holds up well if needed.

extrashaky

I'm not sure I would trust that. Bigger and heavier doesn't actually mean better when it comes to crashes, especially in a test the bigger vehicle wasn't designed for. Ever seen this?


The 2014 Grand Cherokee got a "marginal" rating, same as the current Cherokee. Since the WJ was designed and built before this test was even included, I wouldn't assume that it would do any better than the more modern design.

1976gmc20

So the moral of the story is to steer into the oncoming vehicle and hit it more square on ?????????

dmill89

In the case of the "small-overlap" crash it is more about the strength of the outside corners of the front end than anything. In most cases this test either just glances or completely misses the main frame/uni-body rails so the strength of the bumper, cross-member, and upper rails (in the case of a uni-body)/shock towers are what matter most. If these are weak/unable to direct the crash forces back into the frame/structural members much of the impact will bypass the structural members of the front end and the fire-wall/passenger compartment itself will take most of the impact. I would Imagine a Jeep (or any pickup/suv) with a full (not stubby) "heavy-duty"/winch bumper would do pretty well in that test since it would have the strength to take the impact without crumpling/breaking (assuming it is well built) and re-direct the forces back into the frame/uni-body causing it to perform similar to the "moderate-overlap" crash.


A solid axle is also likely beneficial in this test, being strong enough to take the impact and direct it into the suspension components /frame.

thatXJguy

Yeah... bigger, heavier, older cars are not necesarily safer. Actually, Stuntbusters proved the new crumple technology is actually safer.

andrewmp6

I forget the year the hyundai elantra in the 1/4 front impact the test dummy went left of the steering wheel hitting its face on the dash and a pillar.On the old vs new the belair had a x frame under those are deadly in any wreck gm used it 58-64 and went back to a ladder frame in 65.

extrashaky

2013 was the first year the Elantra was tested in small overlap, and it received an "Acceptable" rating. It looks like they beefed up the side curtain considerably to close that hole that so many other cars have. It's actually not bad at all.

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