Oh yes, the Jeep Wrangler! It’s among the most preferred SUVs not just in the U.S. but around the globe as well. With this Jeep, you can do things that other vehicles are unable to do. But concerns have been raised about its safety.
So, you may be wondering if it is worth buying, considering the safety concerns. Let’s get into the details and answer the big question, “How safe is a Jeep Wrangler?”
We’ll look at the safety ratings and other important features of the Wrangler. Plus, we’ll share tips on improving the safety of your Wrangler.
How Safe Is a Jeep Wrangler Based on Safety Ratings?
Before a new car—whether locally made or imported—is allowed on local roads, it must adhere to a long list of safety-related regulations. Newer versions of the Jeep Wranglers are particularly safer than the older models. Here are the main ratings.
US Safety Rating
Let’s start at home. What does the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have to say?
Notably, NHTSA only gives the Wrangler individual test ratings but does not collate them to provide a summary.
On impact test, Jeep Wrangler was awarded 4 out of 5 stars for the safety of the car and occupants on the front (driver and passenger). While this is a good score, it comes behind other SUVs such as Acura MDX and Chevrolet Bold EUV, which all scored 5 out of 5 stars, according to NHTSA.
Now, the Jeep Wrangler 4XE with electric plugin comes with even more safety features and is expected to score even higher.
EU Safety Rating
To get a clearer picture of the ratings, let’s look at what the EU has to say about wranglers.
According to the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the Jeep Wrangler scored 5.7 out of 8 points and 8 out of 16 on side-impact pole tests.
Overall, the Wrangler scored only 1 out of 5 possible stars. This low score is due to the fact that Wrangler lacked Automatic Emergency braking at the time of testing. However, right now, this Jeep boasts some of the best equipment pushing it to the level of or way ahead of its peers.
Jeep Wrangler Safety Equipment
Looking at the ratings is not enough to help you determine how safe a Jeep Wrangler is. Thus, we also reviewed the safety equipment of the SUV.
Jeep Wrangler comes with standard features that make it impressively safe even when going off-road. The most notable are:
- Front and side airbags for the front passenger and the driver
- Traction control, anti-lock braking, and advanced stability control to help reduce the vehicle’s risk of rolling over
- Seat belt alerts
- SOS button that automatically reaches out to your agent for help by indicating the location of the car
- LATCH points for fixing the car seats in the rear
We also found the safety technologies of the different Jeep Wrangler models, especially the forward-collision warning, to be outstanding. The warning system is available for all Jeep Wrangler’s trims and works with blind-spot monitoring, emergency braking, and rear cross-path detection.
Jeep Wrangler Crash Safety
How safe is a Jeep Wrangler in case you are involved in a crash? A Jeep Wrangler is pretty safe because of its unique design and sturdy construction.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2021 Jeep Wrangler is remarkable because of its unique design and steel construction. All are optimized for off-road driving.
NHTSA agrees with IIHS by indicating that a wrangler will keep you safe in case of a rollover because of its strong roof. The vehicle’s other features, especially the airbags, also perform well to help protect the passengers. NHTSA rated the Wrangler three stars out of five stars. If you are an off-road enthusiast, this assurance makes wrangler the go-to SUV.
Can You Make Jeep Wrangler Safer?
Jeep Wranglers, especially the latest models, score impressively when it comes to safety, but we have some good news for you: you can enhance its safety.
Here are some suggestions that will make your Wrangler the ultimate SUV no matter where you drive.
Driver Awareness
The most important thing you should consider to enhance the safety of your Jeep Wrangler is better awareness. Jeep Wranglers still rock most attributes of the classic models, especially the live axles, body on frame, and high center of gravity. Once you understand these features, make sure to be extra cautious on the road. For instance, maintain a longer stopping distance for better safety.
Install Flexible Suspension
Flexible suspension system can help improve the handling of your Wrangler by optimizing friction between the surface and tires. In addition, the system helps enhance the comfort of your passengers by reducing impact, especially when driving off-road.
Fit a Roll Cage
If you are thinking of extreme off-roading with your Jeep Wrangler, the risk of the car rolling and landing on its roof is something that comes to mind. Therefore, you can consider reinforcing the body with a roll cage. In case the car rolls down or lands on the roof, it will not collapse.
With a professionally installed roll cage, your Jeep Wrangler’s body flex will be reduced, especially at high-g turns. Overall, a roll cage will be very helpful in increasing your Wrangler’s structural rigidity, ensuring that everything remains in position all the time.
Final Thoughts
How safe is a Jeep Wrangler? The latest 2021 Jeep Wrangler is safe enough, and you should not hesitate to go for it. Rocking most of the standard features, plus new innovative GIZMOS, such as the SOS button, the Wrangler does not disappoint. Even though it does not score as high as other SUVs on areas such as crash and roll tests, it still fares well, and most off-roaders still feel safe in the cabin.
The good thing is that you can enhance the safety of your Jeep Wrangler. Remember to ensure that the improvements are done by an expert and the Wrangler is also maintained in top condition for improved safety.
