ANCAP shock for Jeep Grand Cherokee

ANCAP has issued a four-star safety rating for short-wheelbase (SWB), 3.6-litre petrol-powered Grand Cherokee variants, reserving top marks for SWB 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid and long-wheelbase (LWB) petrol-powered models.

The mixed results come from what ANCAP says is a difference in the performance of the seatbelts fitted to the second-row outboard seats of the former when compared with the performance of those fitted in the latter. As a result, a nil score was achieved for rear passenger chest protection.

Under ANCAP protocols, a nil score (red, or Poor result) for a critical body region automatically limits a vehicle’s overall star rating to four, irrespective of the overall percentage achieved in the Adult Occupant Protection category, as ANCAP chief executive officer Carla Hoorweg explained.

“The long-wheelbase Grand Cherokee L and short-wheelbase PHEV achieved sound results across all areas of testing and assessment, seeing them eligible for the five-star rating,” she said.

“The Poor level of chest protection recorded for short-wheelbase petrol variants, however, is an area we’d encourage Jeep to address. We strongly encourage Jeep to implement a production change to improve the safety performance of the rear outboard seats.

“Specification differences, including different powertrains, body styles, and driven wheels can all influence safety performance. This highlights the importance and rigor applied through independent vehicle safety testing to ensure Australian and New Zealand consumers are provided with information relevant to the vehicles supplied into these markets.”

The split result saw SWB 3.6-litre petrol-powered Grand Cherokee variants – with a four-star ANCAP rating – manage an Adult Occupant Protection score of 81 per cent, a Child Occupant Protection score of 93 per cent, a Vulnerable Road User Protection score of 81 per cent, and a Safety Assist score of 84 per cent.

More expensive LWB 3.6-litre petrol-powered and SWB 2.0-litre PHEV Grand Cherokee variants managed an 83 per cent score in the Adult Occupant Protection assessment with all other criteria scores matching those of the SWB petrol range.

According to ANCAP, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is fitted as standard with dual frontal, side chest-protecting, and side head-protecting airbags across the first, second and third rows (where applicable).

Driver and passenger knee airbags are also fitted, however, a centre airbag to prevent occupant-to-occupant and occupant-to-vehicle interaction in side impact crashes is not offered.

On the positive side, ANCAP said the active safety systems fitted to the Grand Cherokee performed well, with all variants achieving overall Good results in daytime and night testing of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) functionality with other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

AEB functionality to assist in intersection (junction) scenarios is however not offered on the Jeep Grand Cherokee and was not tested or scored.

Stellantis Australia responded to GoAuto via a statement, which read: “Jeep takes customer safety very seriously. The new Jeep Grand Cherokee has more than 110 available safety and security features, meets Australian safety requirements, and is compliant with Australian Design Rules (ADR).

“As the Grand Cherokee short-wheelbase five-seat petrol variant meets seatbelt safety and design requirements we won’t be retrofitting the existing product. However, modifying the rear outboard passenger seatbelts for future productions is something we are actively considering.”

2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee ANCAP ratings*:

*Data courtesy ANCAP Safety.