The Jeep Cherokee, reintroduced in 2014 and redesigned in 2019, maintains its strong safety ratings through to the 2021 model year, particularly in side-impact crash tests. This assessment is based on rigorous testing and analysis, demonstrating the vehicle’s consistent commitment to occupant protection. The 2021 Jeep Cherokee shares the same fundamental structure and safety engineering that contributed to the high marks achieved in evaluations of the 2014 and 2019 models concerning side crashworthiness.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted side-impact tests on both a 2014 and a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. Crucially, no structural changes affecting side crash performance were implemented in the 2019 redesign that would impact these ratings for subsequent models like the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. Therefore, the combined results of these tests provide a comprehensive safety profile applicable to the 2021 Jeep Cherokee regarding side impacts. The ratings presented below are grounded in this combined data, offering valuable insights into the 2021 Jeep Cherokee’s ability to protect occupants in a side collision.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Image: View of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee moments after side impact during an IIHS crash test, demonstrating initial structural integrity.
The “Good” overall rating signifies robust protection for occupants in side-impact collisions. The structure and safety cage of the Jeep Cherokee were evaluated as “Good,” indicating that the vehicle’s fundamental construction effectively resists intrusion and maintains occupant space during a side crash event.
Image: Post-crash view of the Jeep Cherokee with doors removed, revealing side airbag deployment and the preserved integrity of the passenger cabin in the IIHS test vehicle.
In terms of driver injury measures, all categories—head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg—received a “Good” rating. This consistent “Good” performance extends to driver head protection, confirming the effectiveness of the side curtain airbag system in safeguarding the driver’s head.
Image: Greasepaint on the driver dummy head indicates effective protection by the side curtain airbag, preventing contact with hard vehicle structures during the Jeep Cherokee side impact test.
Rear passenger safety is equally well-addressed in the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. Injury measures for rear passengers—head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg—also achieved “Good” ratings. Similarly, rear passenger head protection is rated as “Good,” highlighting the comprehensive safety design of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee for all occupants.
Image: Greasepaint on the rear passenger dummy head shows the side airbag’s role in preventing head injuries by cushioning impact in the Jeep Cherokee side collision assessment.
These ratings are further substantiated by technical measurements taken during the crash tests.
Technical measurements for this test
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | CES1308 | VTS1815 |
|---|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -17.5 | -17.5 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|—|—|—|
| Test ID | CES1308 | VTS1815 |
| Head HIC-15 | 120 | 103 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 30 | 27 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 32 | 32 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 28 | 28 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.67 | 4.12 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.63 | 0.62 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.7 | 1.4 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Combined force (kN) | 3.0 | 3.2 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 63 | 83 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | -16 | 30 |
Passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|—|—|—|
| Test ID | CES1308 | VTS1815 |
| Head HIC-15 | 214 | 137 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 30 | 34 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.1 | 1.8 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 23 | 24 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 12 | 16 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.18 | 3.44 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.15 | 0.33 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.7 | 0.3 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.3 | 2.5 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.5 | 0.2 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 25 | 38 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | -20 | -26 |
In conclusion, the 2021 Jeep Cherokee earns a “Good” rating in side-impact crash tests, reflecting its robust structural design and effective safety systems. Data from tests conducted on the 2014 and 2019 models, applicable to the 2021 version, consistently demonstrate a high level of occupant protection in side collision scenarios. This makes the 2021 Jeep Cherokee a safety-conscious choice for drivers and families.
