The 2019 Jeep Wrangler, a redesigned model from the iconic vehicle line, underwent rigorous crash testing to evaluate its safety performance. This analysis focuses on the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4-door 4wd model, examining its performance in the driver-side small overlap frontal test. It’s important to note that these ratings are applicable to Jeep Wrangler models from 2018 to 2021 of this design.
During testing, specifically the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2019 Jeep Wrangler presented a notable safety concern. In both IIHS tests, the vehicle tipped onto its passenger side upon striking the barrier. This partial rollover during a frontal crash is considered an unacceptable outcome, posing an elevated risk of injury beyond the standard measurements of such tests. Consequently, the Jeep Wrangler’s overall safety rating in this critical evaluation was downgraded to marginal due to this rollover issue.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Small overlap front: driver-side | Marginal |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
Despite the marginal overall rating due to the rollover, the 2019 Jeep Wrangler demonstrated “Good” performance in several key areas of occupant protection. The structure and safety cage of the vehicle were rated “Good,” indicating that the structural integrity of the Wrangler held up well during the crash. Furthermore, driver injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were all assessed as “Good.” This suggests that in these specific metrics, the Wrangler provided solid protection for the driver. Similarly, the driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also rated “Good,” reflecting effective performance of the seatbelts and airbags in controlling occupant movement during the crash.
Analysis of the dummy’s position after the crash test reveals that the driver’s survival space was indeed well-maintained. This indicates that the structural design of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler effectively preserved space around the driver, reducing the risk of intrusion and potential injuries.
The frontal airbag effectively contained the dummy’s head, remaining in position until rebound, demonstrating proper deployment and functionality. The combination head and torso side airbag also deployed; however, it was noted that its forward coverage is limited and may not adequately protect the head from contacting forward side structures or external objects. Notably, the 2019 Jeep Wrangler lacks side curtain airbags, which are often crucial in providing head protection in side-impact and rollover scenarios.
Data from the crash test further supports the “Good” rating for driver injury measures. The risk of injuries to the dummy’s legs and feet was evaluated as low, reinforcing the protective design of the footwell and lower occupant compartment.
However, the critical issue remains the partial rollover observed in the small overlap frontal crash test. This occurrence significantly elevates the potential for injuries beyond what standard crash test criteria are designed to measure. The rollover introduces complexities and risks not captured in typical frontal impact assessments, leading to the “marginal” overall rating for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler in the driver-side small overlap front crash test.
Technical measurements for this test
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN2001 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 9 |
| Footrest (cm) | 10 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 8 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 9 |
| Parking brake (cm) | |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 3 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 2 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 4 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 4 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 4 |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN2001 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 101 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 17 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.18 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 23 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.5 |
| Right | 0.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.51 |
| Right | 0.38 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 2.1 |
| Right | 1.0 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 72 |
| Right | 44 |
