Jeep Wrangler 2020: ANCAP adjusts iconic off-roader’s poor safety rating

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has adjusted the safety rating for the Jeep Wrangler off-roader from one to three stars following its addition of autonomous emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring as part of a MY20 update.

“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,” said ANCAP chief executive James Goodwin.

“While a three-star rating is still somewhat shy of the expected five 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.”

Interestingly, testing of the Wrangler’s new advanced driver-assist systems was conducted at the CSI laboratory in Italy.

Mr Goodwin noted “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”.

As such, the Wrangler’s score in Adult Occupant Protection testing has only risen from 50 to 60 per cent, while its score in Safety Assist testing has jumped from 32 to 51 per cent.

Along with its carryover score of 49 per cent in Vulnerable Road User Protection testing, the Wrangler only meets the thresholds for a three-star safety rating in three of the four testing categories.

Child Occupant Protection testing is lone category the Wrangler meets the threshold for a five-star safety rating in, with an unchanged score of 80 per cent.

The new three-star safety rating applies to two- and four-door Wrangler variants built from last month onwards, while the original one-star safety applies to examples sold between April and November this year.


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