SUV Crash Test Leaves Ford Explorer and Jeep Cherokee with ‘Poor’ Rating | Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.
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SUV Crash Test Leaves Ford Explorer and Jeep Cherokee with ‘Poor’ Rating

Written by Jared Staver

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Jared Staver is a Personal Injury Lawyer based in Chicago, Illinois and has been practicing law for over 20 years.

Jared Staver

CATEGORY: Auto Accidents


The Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee are two of the most popular SUVs in the United States. Unfortunately, both of these vehicles earned “Poor” scores on the new passenger-side, small-overlap SUV crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or IIHS. These results reveal that protections engineered into the driver’s side of SUVs aren’t necessarily there for front seat passengers.

If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident that involved an Explorer, Grand Cherokee, or another SUV, contact our experienced accident lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. Call us today at (312) 236-2900 for a free, initial consultation.

The New Passenger-Side and Small-Overlap Crash Test

The new passenger-side and small-overlap SUV crash test by the IIHS mimics a particularly dangerous 40 mph crash, in which the front corner of a vehicle slams into a telephone, fence, tree, or the front corner of another car. IIHS rated each SUV with “Good,” “Acceptable,” “Marginal,” or “Poor.”

Vehicles that earned a “Good” rating would likely protect drivers and passengers from injuries. However, those, such as the Explorer and Grand Cherokee, that earned a “Poor” rating may leave passengers injured and require an ambulance at the scene of the accident.

The eight midsize SUVs that were tested include the 2018 GMC Acadia, 2019 Kia Sorento, 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, 2018 Toyota Highlander, 2018 Nissan Pathfinder, 2018 Honda Pilot, 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2018 Ford Explorer. Here’s how each SUV scored:

  • 2018 GMC Acadia: Good
  • 2019 Kia Sorento: Good
  • 2018 Volkswagen Atlas: Good
  • 2018 Toyota Highlander: Acceptable
  • 2018 Nissan Pathfinder: Acceptable
  • 2018 Honda Pilot: Acceptable
  • 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Poor
  • 2018 Ford Explorer: Poor

David Zuby, chief research officer at IIHS, explains that the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2018 Ford Explorer feature older designs than the vehicles that earned better ratings. He believes that the upcoming redesigns of both of these SUVs should address small overlap crash protection for drivers and passengers. Zuby and the IIHS hope that this crash test will motivate more auto manufacturers to begin making safety a priority for front seat passengers.

SUV Accidents in Chicago

Accidents that involve SUVs arise on a regular basis in the Chicago area. To reduce accident risk, SUV drivers should adhere to the posted speed limit and slow down properly for curves and bends in the road. It’s also important for drivers to practice defensive driving at all times.

If you sustain an injury in an SUV accident that was the result for someone else’s negligence, it’s wise to reach out to a lawyer who is well-versed on Illinois car accident laws and may be able to help you recover compensation for your damages.

Call Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. For a Free Case Consultation

Being involved in an SUV crash can be a frightening experience. Thus, if you or a loved one sustain an injury in one, you should call our lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. Contact (312) 236-2900 to get started right away.

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(312) 236-2900
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