The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a popular SUV known for its off-road capabilities and comfortable ride. But when considering a vehicle, safety is paramount. This analysis delves into the safety ratings of the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, drawing upon data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to provide a comprehensive understanding of its crashworthiness and safety features. Understanding these ratings is crucial for any prospective buyer prioritizing safety.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where just the front corner of the vehicle impacts another vehicle or a fixed object. This is a particularly challenging test, and the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee underwent this rigorous assessment.
The driver-side small overlap front test for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, specifically models built after January 2013, resulted in an Marginal overall rating. Let’s break down the key findings:
- Structure and Safety Cage: Rated as Marginal, indicating that the structural integrity of the vehicle was compromised in this type of crash.
- Driver Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Rated Good, signifying good protection for the head and neck region.
- Chest: Rated Good, indicating a low risk of significant chest injury.
- Hip/Thigh: Rated Good, suggesting good protection for the hip and thigh area.
- Lower Leg/Foot: Rated Marginal, indicating a higher risk of injury to the lower leg and foot.
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Rated Acceptable. While the dummy’s head largely stayed in contact with the frontal airbag, there was excessive forward movement due to the seatbelt, causing the head to move towards the A-pillar. The side curtain airbag deployed but lacked sufficient forward coverage.
The images from the driver-side test highlight critical points. The dummy’s position after the crash indicates that the survival space for the driver wasn’t optimally maintained. Furthermore, the seat belt allowed excessive forward movement, and the side curtain airbag coverage was insufficient.
Technical measurements revealed significant intrusion in the lower occupant compartment, particularly concerning the parking brake pedal, door hinge pillar, and instrument panel. This intrusion contributed to the Marginal rating for lower leg/foot injury.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
The passenger-side small overlap test evaluates how well the passenger is protected in a similar frontal crash scenario. The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee passenger-side test revealed some critical differences compared to the driver-side.
The overall evaluation for the passenger-side small overlap front test was Poor. This is a concerning rating and indicates significant safety deficiencies on the passenger side.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Rated as Marginal, mirroring the driver-side result and indicating structural issues in this type of impact.
- Passenger Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Rated Acceptable, suggesting moderate protection for the head and neck.
- Chest: Rated Good, indicating good chest protection, similar to the driver side.
- Hip/Thigh: Rated Good, also similar to the driver side in providing good hip and thigh protection.
- Lower Leg/Foot: Rated Poor, a significant downgrade from the driver-side and highlighting a major vulnerability for the passenger.
- Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Rated Poor. Critically, the side curtain airbag did not deploy during the passenger-side test, which is unusual for a 2019 model year vehicle. The front passenger door also opened during the crash, a serious failure that increases the risk of occupant ejection. The dummy’s head moved outside the vehicle during rebound, indicating a severe lack of head protection.
- Driver Injury Measures: Interestingly, driver injury measures were rated Good across the board in the passenger-side test. This is likely due to the focus of the passenger-side test being primarily on the passenger’s safety, and the driver’s side performance was assessed in the context of that test scenario.
The images from the passenger-side test are alarming. The dummy’s position and the opened door clearly show that the passenger survival space was not adequately maintained.
Technical measurements confirmed substantial intrusion in the passenger side lower occupant compartment, especially from the dashboard and door hinge pillar, directly contributing to the Poor rating for passenger lower leg/foot injury and the overall Poor passenger-side small overlap rating.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
In contrast to the challenging small overlap test, the moderate overlap front crash test assesses vehicle performance when the front of the vehicle impacts a barrier covering a moderate portion of the front width. The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee performed well in this test.
The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee achieved a Good rating in the moderate overlap front crash test.
- Overall Evaluation: Good, indicating strong performance in this common type of frontal crash.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Good, confirming the structural integrity held up well in a moderate overlap impact.
- Driver Injury Measures: Rated Good across all categories: Head/Neck, Chest, Leg/Foot (left and right).
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Good, showing effective restraint systems and controlled dummy movement.
Technical measurements showed minimal occupant compartment intrusion and low injury measures, reinforcing the Good rating.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Test
Side impact crashes are another significant real-world accident type. The side crash test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in a side collision.
The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee earned a Good rating in the side impact crash test.
- Overall Evaluation: Good, demonstrating robust side impact protection.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Good, indicating a strong side structure.
- Driver Injury Measures: Rated Good across all categories: Head/Neck, Torso, Pelvis/Leg.
- Driver Head Protection: Good, signifying effective head protection from side airbags.
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures: Also rated Good across all categories: Head/Neck, Torso, Pelvis/Leg.
- Rear Passenger Head Protection: Good, showing good head protection for rear occupants as well.
Grease paint analysis confirmed that both driver and rear passenger heads were well-protected by the side curtain airbags, contributing to the Good head protection ratings.
Technical measurements for occupant compartment intrusion and driver/passenger injuries were low, supporting the overall Good rating in side impact protection.
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is an important safety aspect, particularly in rollover accidents. The roof strength test measures how well the roof can withstand forces in a rollover.
The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a Good rating for roof strength.
- Overall Evaluation: Good, indicating a strong roof structure capable of withstanding significant force.
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: A ratio of 4.63, exceeding the minimum requirement for a Good rating.
This Good rating suggests that the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s roof provides solid protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Head restraints and seats play a crucial role in preventing whiplash and other injuries in rear-end collisions.
The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee earned a Good rating for head restraints and seats.
- Overall Evaluation: Good, indicating effective head restraint and seat design.
- Dynamic Rating: Good, based on simulated rear-impact testing.
- Seat/Head Restraint Geometry: Good, signifying proper head restraint positioning relative to the seat.
Technical measurements confirmed favorable seat geometry and dynamic performance, leading to the Good overall rating.
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime visibility and accident prevention. The IIHS evaluates headlights based on their illumination and glare. The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee headlight ratings vary depending on the trim level and headlight type.
- HID Projector Headlights (Available on Overland, Summit, SRT, Trailhawk with Luxury Group, Limited with Luxury II Group, and Trackhawk trims): Rated Acceptable. These headlights provided good visibility on straightaways and curves but created some glare. High beam assist was available on some trims, compensating for low beam limitations.
- HID Projector Headlights (Available on Limited trim with Customer Preferred package): Also rated Acceptable, with similar performance characteristics and glare as the previous HID option.
- Halogen Projector Headlights (Available on Laredo, Trailhawk, and Limited trims): Rated Poor. These headlights provided inadequate visibility across all test scenarios (straightaways and curves).
The headlight ratings highlight a significant difference in performance based on trim level. Choosing a trim with HID projector headlights is advisable for better nighttime visibility compared to the base halogen option.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are designed to mitigate or prevent frontal collisions. The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers an optional system.
The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, when equipped with the optional “Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus” system (part of the Protech II package and standard on Summit, SRT, and Trailhawk trims), achieves a Superior rating for front crash prevention.
- Overall Evaluation: Superior with optional equipment.
- Forward Collision Warning: The system meets requirements for forward collision warning.
- Automatic Emergency Braking: Avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests.
This Superior rating signifies that the optional front crash prevention system is highly effective at preventing or mitigating vehicle-to-vehicle frontal crashes.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors (LATCH) are essential for safely securing child restraints. The IIHS evaluates the ease of use of LATCH systems.
The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a Marginal rating for child seat anchors (LATCH).
- Overall Evaluation: Marginal, indicating some difficulties in using the LATCH system.
- Ease of Use: Lower anchors were rated as too deep in the seat and difficult to maneuver around. Some hardware could be confused for anchors.
While the Jeep Grand Cherokee has LATCH hardware in multiple seating positions, the Marginal rating suggests that installing child seats might be more challenging compared to vehicles with better-rated LATCH systems.
Conclusion
The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee presents a mixed safety profile based on IIHS evaluations. It performs well in moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraint tests, earning “Good” ratings in these crucial areas. However, the small overlap front tests reveal significant weaknesses, particularly on the passenger side, resulting in a “Poor” rating. Headlight performance is trim-dependent, with “Acceptable” ratings for HID projectors and “Poor” for halogen options. The optional front crash prevention system is “Superior,” while the LATCH system is “Marginal.”
For prospective buyers of a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, it’s essential to weigh these safety ratings carefully. While offering strong protection in many crash scenarios, the vulnerabilities in small overlap frontal crashes, especially for passengers, are important considerations. Prioritizing trims with HID headlights and the optional front crash prevention system can enhance safety. Ultimately, understanding these safety ratings empowers informed decisions when choosing a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
