| The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, a | | | | modifications were made and put into production by |
| non-profit organization supported by auto insurers, | | | | GM. The Kia and the Jeep are the only 2011 models |
| added a new component to its crash testing in 2009. | | | | tested so far. |
| Along with front, rear and side testing, the IIHS now | | | | In the same test, the Ford Edge was rated |
| tests roof strength, an important consideration for all | | | | acceptable, while several others were rated marginal: |
| passenger vehicles, but particularly so for high profile | | | | Honda Pilot, Honda Accord Crosstour, Nissan Murano, |
| models such a sport-utility vehicles. | | | | Mitsubishi Endeavor and Mazda CX-7. Those models |
| Roof Testing | | | | passed, but they clearly are not safety favorites for |
| The addition of roof strength testing is significant, | | | | auto insurers. |
| given that thousands of people die annually due to | | | | The Grand Cherokee also joins other previously |
| rollover accidents. When vehicles receive the top | | | | named Top Safety Picks in the midsize SUV |
| rating from the IIHS, that means that these models | | | | category including: Lexus RX, Dodge Journey, Subaru |
| are considered most able to withstand a serious | | | | Tribeca and a pair of Volvo models the XC60 and |
| accident. | | | | XC90. |
| As you might guess, not too many SUVs have | | | | IIHS Rating |
| passed this test yet. Those that have are typically | | | | According to the IIHS, their rollover rating system is |
| crossover models, such as the Toyota Venza, while | | | | based on research showing that occupants in vehicles |
| taller models with higher roof pillars usually don't. | | | | that roll benefit from stronger roofs. In particulars, |
| Jeep Wins | | | | vehicles rated "good" must have roofs that are more |
| But the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has received the | | | | than twice as strong as the minimum required under |
| IIHS' "Top Safety Pick" rating for crashworthiness, | | | | the current federal safety standard. The ratings, |
| quite an accomplishment for this all new model. The | | | | products of the IIHS's roof strength testing program, |
| Jeep now joins the Toyota Highlander, Toyota | | | | add to consumer information tests that rate vehicles' |
| Venza, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain and Kia | | | | front, side, and rear crashworthiness. Notably, the |
| Sorento in this accomplishment, also becoming one of | | | | rollover test is designed to help consumers pick |
| the largest SUVs to pass testing thus far. | | | | vehicles that offer the best protection in one of the |
| Notably, the Equinox and Terrain include only those | | | | most serious kinds of crashes. |
| models built after March 2010 when certain | | | | |