The Jeep Cherokee, a popular SUV, has undergone rigorous testing to ensure occupant safety. This report focuses on the side crash test performance of the Jeep Cherokee, particularly relevant for models within the 2014-2023 range, including the 2017 Jeep Cherokee. Understanding crash test results is crucial for vehicle owners and prospective buyers prioritizing safety.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted side impact tests on the Jeep Cherokee. While the tested vehicle was a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4-door 4wd, the structural design and safety features relevant to side crashworthiness remained consistent from the 2014 model year onwards. This means the results are applicable to a range of models, including the 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The tests evaluated various aspects, from structural integrity to potential injury measures for both driver and rear passenger.
The Jeep Cherokee earned a “Good” overall rating in the side crash test. This top rating signifies robust protection for occupants in a side impact collision. Key evaluation criteria and their corresponding “Good” ratings include:
- Overall evaluation: G (Good)
- Structure and safety cage: G (Good)
- Driver injury measures:
- Head/neck: G (Good)
- Torso: G (Good)
- Pelvis/leg: G (Good)
- Driver head protection: G (Good)
- Rear passenger injury measures:
- Head/neck: G (Good)
- Torso: G (Good)
- Pelvis/leg: G (Good)
- Rear passenger head protection: G (Good)
This consistent “Good” performance across all categories highlights the comprehensive side-impact safety design of the Jeep Cherokee.
Side view of 2014 Jeep Cherokee during IIHS side crash test impact.
The images from the IIHS crash tests provide a visual understanding of the vehicle’s performance. The first image shows the moment of impact, illustrating how the vehicle structure begins to absorb the crash energy.
Post-crash view of Jeep Cherokee showing side airbag deployment and structural integrity.
The second image, taken after the crash with the doors removed, reveals the effectiveness of the side airbags and the integrity of the occupant compartment. Minimal intrusion into the occupant space is crucial for preventing injuries.
Greasepaint on driver dummy head showing side curtain airbag protection in Jeep Cherokee side impact test.
Greasepaint on the crash test dummies indicates contact points and the effectiveness of safety features. As seen in the images, the greasepaint on the driver and rear passenger dummies’ heads confirms that the side curtain airbags effectively protected their heads from hitting hard structures.
Greasepaint on rear passenger dummy head indicating side airbag protection during Jeep Cherokee crash test.
Detailed technical measurements further support the “Good” ratings. Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side show consistent results across different tests (CES1308 and VTS1815). Specifically, the B-pillar intrusion was measured at -17.5 cm in both tests, indicating that the structural crush stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, a positive outcome for occupant space preservation.
Driver and passenger injury measures, such as Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15), neck tension and compression, shoulder deflection and force, torso deflection and viscous criterion, pelvis forces, and femur forces and moments, are meticulously recorded. These measurements, detailed in the tables provided in the original report, are within acceptable safety limits, reinforcing the “Good” ratings for injury prevention.
In conclusion, the IIHS side crash test results for the Jeep Cherokee, applicable to models including the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, demonstrate a high level of safety performance. The “Good” ratings across all evaluation criteria, supported by visual evidence and technical measurements, provide assurance to consumers regarding the side-impact protection offered by the Jeep Cherokee. This makes the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, and similar models, a safe choice for drivers and passengers concerned about side-impact collisions.
