Toronto, Ontario — While the size of many SUVs may make some drivers feel safer behind the wheel, a recent safety report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that of popular models, the Jeep Wagoneer is the only one that qualifies for a 2024 Top Safety Pick award.
When looking at the report, other popular SUV models such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Ford Expedition missed the mark for multiple reasons. Namely, both vehicle models showed subpar performance in the small overlap front crash test.
“These vehicles are designed to be people haulers, as well as to tow boats and campers. But none of them offers good protection for backseat passengers—a shortcoming that prevents the Wagoneer from earning the higher-tier Top Safety Pick + award,” said the IIHS.
Comparatively, the marginal-rated Ford Expedition did not pass on either side tests, driver and passenger. In the driver-side test, the steering column partially detached from the instrument panel, and in both tests, the A-pillar separated from the rocker panel.
For the Chevrolet Tahoe—which received an acceptable rating—the vehicle maintained adequate survival space for the driver and the airbags and restraints functioned properly. However, there was still the risk of lower leg injury to those in the vehicle.
“The huge mass of these large SUVs provides some additional protection in crashes with smaller vehicles, though that also means they present more damage to other road users,” said IIHS President David Harkey.
“The flipside of their large size is that there is a lot more force to manage when they crash into a fixed obstacle like a tree or bridge abutment or the barrier we use in our front crash test.”
To read the full report, click here.
