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1 of the safest large SUVs comes from an unexpected brand

1 of the safest large SUVs comes from an unexpected brand

The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer on the road

One of the safest large SUVs is a surprise. But the Jeep Wagoneer managed to outshine rivals like the Ford Expedition.

There are two things that don’t normally come to mind when you think of Jeep. Those things are large SUVs and safety. The Jeep Wrangler has a huge reputation for flipping out, but that’s changing. The massive Jeep Wagoneer is actually one of the safest large SUVs.

The Jeep Wagoneer is one of the safest large SUVs

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer is one of the safest large SUVs on the market.

It earned a Top Safety Pick Award, one award short of the top honor of Top Safety Pick+. Like other large SUVs in the class, it doesn’t offer good protection for rear passengers.

While the Wagoneer took home the title, the 2024 Ford Expedition and 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe fell short. Both SUVs need improvements in the small overlap front crash test.

However, over 90% of new vehicles passed this test with ease, receiving a Good rating. Good is the highest possible score.

The Wagoneer received a Good score because there was ample room for the driver and front passenger in the small overlap test.

However, during the test on the driver’s side, there was minor damage to the footwell, posing a moderate risk of injury to the driver’s left foot and ankle.

The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer parked in a field
2024 Jeep Wagoneer | Jeep

During the test on the passenger and driver sides, the front and side curtain airbags prevented the crash dummies’ heads from hitting rigid structures.

The Chevy Tahoe received an Acceptable score for maintaining adequate survival space. However, there was a substantial risk of lower leg injuries.

During the test on the passenger side, there was a high risk of injury to the passenger’s right foot and a moderate risk of injury to the passenger’s left leg.

The Ford Expedition received a Marginal score and failed to perform well on both sides. During the driver’s side test, the steering column was partially detached from the instrument panel.

In both tests, the A-pillar separated from the rocker panel and intrusions into the footwell threatened the safety of the feet and legs. However, it has good ratings in many other areas.

The Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition could get significant updates in 2025. They could replace the Wagoneer next year as a safer, full-size SUV.