In the disciplines, the Grand Cherokee, which was tested in 3.0 diesel 'Limited' LHD format, scored 29 points (81 percent) for adult occupancy, 34 points (69 percent) for child occupancy, 16 points (45 percent) for the pedestrian test and 5 points (71 percent) for safety assist.

The Grand Cherokee wasn't the only car from the 14 tested by EuroNCAP this month to miss out on the top spot, as two Chinese models, the MG6 and Geely Emgrand EC7, as well as the Renault Fluence ZE, Jaguar XF and Fiat Panda all wound up collecting four stars.

In a tough summary, EuroNCAP wrote: "The Jeep Grand Cherokee showed disappointing results in child occupant protection. In the frontal impact, the seat rail holding the seat belt anchorage came close to breaking in two, resulting in contact, through the fabric of the airbag, of the driver’s head with the steering wheel rim. Euro NCAP urges Jeep to complete its investigation into the cause and implement an improved seat rail design in future production cars soon."

EuroNCAP Jeep Grand Cherokee Test Summary

Adult occupant

In the frontal impact, the driver's inboard seat rail was found to have very nearly broken in two, and was mainly held together only by the threaded steel rod which controls fore-aft adjustment of the seat. The break occurred just at the point where the lower anchorage for the driver's seat belt attaches to the rail, and is thought to have been caused by the high tensile forces in the belt during the test. As a result, there was additional forward movement of the dummy which contributed to 'bottoming out' of the airbag i.e. there was insufficient pressure in the airbag to prevent the driver's head from making contact, through the fabric of the airbag, with the steering wheel rim. Euro NCAP has been informed that Jeep are investigating the cause of the seat rail failure and intend to improve the seat track design, but have no current plans to re-work existing vehicles. Although dummy readings were good, structures in the dashboard were thought to present a risk of injury to the knees and femurs of occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions. Maximum points were scored in the side barrier test but, in the more severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was rated as marginal. The Grand Cherokee has an 'active' head restraint which senses when a rear-end impact has occurred and moves the restraint forward to minimise the time to restrain head movement. Jeep showed that the system responded in a broad range of accident severities, and the whiplash tests were performed with the system active. Nevertheless, the protection provided against neck injuries in a rear-end collision was rated as marginal.

Child occupant

In the frontal impact, the 3 year dummy did not move forward excessively. However, on rebound, the dummy's head contacted the trim on the rear door pillar and the car lost all points for protection of the 3 year dummy in that test. The passenger airbag cannot be disabled so a rearward facing child restraint should not be used in that seating position. The dangers of doing so are not clearly labelled in the car.

Pedestrian

The bumper provided good protection in all areas tested and scored maximum points. However, the front edge of the bonnet was poor in all areas tested. In almost all areas likely to be struck by the head of a child, the bonnet provided poor protection. However, protection provided to an adult's head was mixed with areas of good and poor protection.

Safety assist

Electronic stability control is standard equipment on the Grand Cherokee and met Euro NCAP's test requirements. A seatbelt reminder system is standard equipment for the driver and front passenger seats. A sped limitation device is not offered on the Grand Cherokee.

ItaliaspeedTV: EuroNCAP Crash Test - Jeep Grand Cherokee