The Jeep Wrangler has jumped from its dismal one-star ANCAP rating to a three-star rating thanks to active safety assistance inclusions but ANCAP warns that deficiencies remain.
ANCAP has announced it is altering the Jeep Wrangler’s rating to 3 stars following local testing of Australian-delivered Wranglers. The previous one-star rating will remain for Wranglers sold between April and November 2019 but ANCAP is warning “consumers that some safety deficiencies still remain”.
What were the improvements? The introduction of autonomous emergency braking and blind spot monitoring as standard across the range on MY20 models, with performance testing of these systems undertaken by ANCAP earlier this month.
“These upgrades are welcome, and I commend the local supplier for moving to provide Wrangler buyers in Australia and New Zealand with collision avoidance capability,” ANCAP Chief Executive, James Goodwin said.
“While a 3-star rating is still somewhat shy of the expected 5 stars, all upgraded models now have the ability to detect and assist with avoiding a crash with another vehicle – both in lower and higher speed scenarios.
“Unfortunately, the upgraded AEB system fitted to updated models is not yet able to detect our most vulnerable road users in pedestrians and cyclists” he said.
“Consumers should be aware that the structural deficiencies we saw with the originally-tested model such as A-pillar and cross-facia beam failure, footwell intrusion, high seatbelt loads and excessive pedal movement have not been addressed and remain a risk for occupants,” Mr Goodwin added.
