Grand Cherokee L Gets Poor IIHS Rating For Rear Passengers

In a recent evaluation, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) delivered a significant blow to the Jeep® Grand Cherokee L (WL75), the three-row variant of the popular Grand Cherokee. The IIHS, renowned for its rigorous crash testing standards, deemed the 2021 through 2023 models of the Grand Cherokee L as ‘poor’ in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, focusing on the rear passenger’s safety. This evaluation sheds light on critical areas of concern, particularly pertaining to head, neck, and chest injuries sustained during a crash.

The IIHS conducts the moderate overlap front crash test by simulating a vehicle striking a barrier at 40 mph (64 km/h) with 40% of the vehicle’s width, specifically targeting the driver’s side. This assessment aims to provide a real-world scenario of an impact and assess the vehicle’s protective capabilities for occupants.

The IIHS based their ‘poor’ rating on the injuries sustained by a crash test dummy representing either a small woman or a child, who would typically occupy the rear passenger seat. The evaluation raised alarming concerns regarding head, neck, and chest injuries in the event of a crash. Notably, the lap belt remained in the optimal position across the pelvis, mitigating the risk of abdominal injuries, which would have compounded the safety concerns.

In addition to the rear passenger protection rating, the IIHS also noted areas for improvement in the Grand Cherokee L’s safety features. The seat belt reminders received a ‘marginal’ rating, suggesting the need for enhancements in this critical safety system.

The IIHS further addressed concerns with the LED reflector-style headlights in the Laredo and Altitude trim levels. Low beams were criticized for producing excessive glare, while high beams were penalized for inadequate visibility on the left side of the road. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive headlight performance in ensuring safe nighttime driving.

Despite the concerns raised, the Grand Cherokee L exhibited strengths in certain safety aspects. The IIHS evaluated the vehicle’s auto emergency braking system, categorizing it as ‘advanced’ for daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash avoidance and mitigation. Furthermore, the Grand Cherokee L earned a ‘superior’ rating for its nighttime vehicle-to-vehicle crash avoidance capabilities, highlighting its commendable performance in critical scenarios.

Moderate Overlap Front: Updated Test Results:

Source: IIHS