Jeep Gladiator inherits Wrangler's three-star safety rating

The Jeep Gladiator has been awarded the same three-star ANCAP safety rating as the Jeep Wrangler on which it’s based.

No local crash testing was carried out on the dual-cab 4x4 ute, with ANCAP instead applying the same rating it awarded the Wrangler in December 2019, when the addition of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and blind spot monitoring as standard across the range lifted the hard-core SUV’s safety rating from one star to three.

All versions of the Jeep Gladiator come standard with AEB, but ANCAP criticised the niche ute for its lack of pedestrian and cyclist detection or lane keeping assist – and the same “structural issues” it found with the Wrangler.

The independent automotive safety body said that because the Gladiator and Wrangler share the same core structural underpinnings, engine configuration and restraint package – and therefore provide similar structural crash performance – the ute was awarded the same sub-standard scores in all key testing areas.

These include 60 per cent for adult occupant protection, 49 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 51 per cent for Safety Assist, leading to a three-star overall rating for all Gladiator variants sold in Australia and New Zealand.

“The structural issues we saw with the originally-tested Wrangler also apply to the Gladiator including A-pillar and cross-fascia beam failure, footwell intrusion, high seatbelt loads and excessive pedal movement. These remain an increased risk for occupants,” said ANCAP director of communications and advocacy, Rhianne Robson.

“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,” Robson added.

For its part, when the latest JL Wrangler was slapped with a one-star ANCAP safety rating in May 2019, then Jeep Australia chief Steve Zanlunghi stressed the added safety of the all-new off-roader compared to the previous JK Wrangler, which scored four ANCAP stars under a much less stringent testing regime in 2012.

“The new JL Wrangler has all the same safety features [as the JK], with 26 additional safety features,” he told carsales at the time.

“I want to stress that the vehicle is ADR-compliant. It is a safe vehicle.”

At three stars (out of a possible five), the Jeep Gladiator is at least safer than the two-star Great Wall Steed ute, which is about to be replaced, and matches the dormant Foton Tunland ute as well as the LDV G10 and V80 vans, the popular Suzuki Jimny mini-SUV and the Ford Mustang muscle car.

Apart from the latter, all these vehicles also ride on a separate ladder frame, but the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has shown that does not necessarily prevent a maximum safety rating – although it does not feature a removable roof or doors.