The Jeep Gladiator was today slapped with a less-than glowing three-star safety rating by ANCAP.
The Jeep Gladiator 4X4 ute range has today been given a three-star safety rating by ANCAP following last year’s testing of the Jeep Wrangler on which its based.
As the Gladiator shares the same core structure as the Wrangler, as well as the same engine and restraint package, ANCAP says it provides similar structural crash performance to the previously-tested Wrangler, which the testing body describes as “below that expected by consumers”.
“The structural issues we saw with the originally-tested Wrangler also apply to the Gladiator including A-pillar and cross-facia beam failure, footwell intrusion, high seatbelt loads and excessive pedal movement. These remain an increased risk for occupants,” ANCAP Director – Communications & Advocacy, Rhianne Robson said.
“Consumers have come to expect a high level of safety regardless of price-point and market segment.”
“Safety should remain a priority in all vehicle purchases, and this is no different for a vehicle of this type – particularly at this price-point,” Mrs Robson added. In fact, the Jeep Gladiator is at the upper end of the 4X4 ute price range, starting at $75,450 for the Overland, $76,450 for the Rubicon and $86,450 for the Launch Edition.
According to ANCAP, the Jeep Gladiator scored just 60 per cent for ‘Adult Occupant Protection’ and 49 per cent for ‘Vulnerable Road User Protection’. It scored a more respectable 80 per cent for ‘Child Occupant Protection’.
As well as the same structure, the Gladiator runs the same Automatic Emergency braking (AEB) collision avoidance technology as the Wrangler, but ANCAP says in this area it only a ‘Safety Assist’ score of 51 per cent, as it doesn’t offer the ability to detect or respond to potential crashes with pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, ANCAP points out that active lane support functionality (Lane Keep Assist) is not available on the Gladiator.
The ANCAP three-star safety rating applies to all Jeep Gladiator variants sold in Australia.
You can download the full ANCAP technical report for the Jeep Gladiator here. Alternatively, here’s the breakdown for the Jeep Gladiator in each ANCAP category:
