The latest Jeep Wrangler had to settle for a “marginal rating” in the driver-side small overlap front crash test in the United States because it tipped over after striking the barrier.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tested the four-door version of the new JL-generation Wrangler twice (the second time after an objection from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and it rolled onto its passenger side on both occasions.

According to the IIHS, the Wrangler “performed well by the normal metrics” used to evaluate performance in the driver-side small overlap test.

“The driver's space was maintained well, and the dummy's movement was well-controlled. However, the partial rollover presents an additional injury risk beyond what the standard criteria are intended to measure,” the organisation said.

“A vehicle tipping onto its side is not an acceptable outcome for a frontal crash, and as a result, the Wrangler's overall rating was downgraded to marginal,” it added.

The IIHS said partial rollovers are “especially dangerous crashes, in part due to the risk of complete or partial ejection”. The Wrangler, of course, features a roof and doors that can be removed and lacks side curtain airbags.

Still, the organisation said the Wrangler earned “good ratings” in the moderate overlap front, side, roof and head restraint evaluations, but “poor ratings” for both its base halogen headlamps and LED projector units.

Watch the small overlap front crash test in the video below…

Original article from Car