ANCAP SAFETY, the independent voice on vehicle safety for Australian and New Zealand consumers, has today released safety ratings for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Mixed results were seen in safety performance between variants, with the long-wheelbase (LWB) seven-seat 3.6 litre petrol (Jeep Grand Cherokee L) and the short-wheelbase (SWB) five-seat 2.0 litre PHEV both achieving maximum five- star ANCAP safety ratings.

The safety rating of the SWB five-seat 3.6 litre petrol variant was however limited to four stars. Testing of the SWB petrol identified a difference in the performance of the seatbelts fitted to second row outboard seats compared with performance of the LWB petrol and SWB PHEV, and as a result, a nil score was achieved for rear passenger chest protection.

Under ANCAP protocols, a nil score (red, or Poor) for a critical body region automatically limits a vehicle's overall star rating to four stars irrespective of the overall percentage score for Adult Occupant Protection.

"The long-wheelbase Jeep Grand Cherokee L and short-wheelbase PHEV achieved sound results across all areas of testing and assessment, seeing them eligible for the five-star rating," said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg.

"The Poor level of chest protection recorded for short-wheelbase petrol variants however, is an area we'd encourage Jeep to address," Ms Hoorweg added.

"We strongly encourage Jeep to implement a production change to improve the safety performance of the rear outboard seatbelts."

"Specification differences, including different powertrains, body styles, and driven wheels can all have an effect on safety performance. This result highlights the importance and rigor applied through independent vehicle safety testing to ensure Australian and New Zealand consumers are provided with information relevant to the vehicles supplied into these markets."

Dual frontal, side chest-protecting, and side head-protecting airbags for the first, second and third rows (where applicable) are fitted as standard to all variants of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Driver and passenger knee airbags are also fitted. A centre airbag to prevent occupant-to-occupant and occupant-to-vehicle interaction in side impact crashes is not offered.

The active safety systems fitted to the Grand Cherokee performed well, with all variants achieving overall Good results in daytime and night testing of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) functionality with other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. AEB functionality to assist in intersection (junction) scenarios is however not offered on the Jeep Grand Cherokee and was not tested or scored.

Full details on the safety performance of Jeep Grand Cherokee variants is available at ancap.com.au.