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I want a Gladiator but I’m concerned it’s not safe enough for a family vehicle

YoBub

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I am safety conscious, and I don't have any concerns with the safety of my Gladiator. My kids are now grown, but I wouldn't have had any concerns putting them in this vehicle.

Something to keep in mind with the IIHS crash testing is that they test against a force equal to the size and weight of the vehicle you are driving, but that isn't real world. You don't get to choose what type of vehicle hits you. In the real world, you are better off being in a bigger vehicle. Here is a good summary: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2011/08/crash-test-101/index.htm

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What the stars don’t say
Crash tests are useful for gauging how well a vehicle can protect occupants in a crash, but no test is infallible or universal. For instance, most tests use a 50th-percentile (average sized) crash-test dummy, and people much smaller or larger than that may not be protected as well as the scores indicate. Here are some other factors that affect how you should view the scores:
Heavy vs. light vehicles
Since the front-crash tests performed by NHTSA and IIHS simulate a collision between two vehicles of the same weight and height, the scores don't apply to crashes between mismatched vehicles. In a crash between a big car and a small one, you're usually better off in the big car. In such cases, the larger, heavier vehicle projects more of its crash energy into the smaller one. This, in turn, helps to better protect the larger vehicle's occupants, but it can inflict proportionately more injury to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
Higher bumpers
Besides their weight, the higher bumper on many taller vehicles such as pickups and SUVs contributes to the truck vs. car mismatch. When an SUV or truck hits a typical passenger car, the impact occurs above the car's bumper line, exerting its force into weaker portions of the smaller vehicle and inflicting greater damage. To address this, SUVs—especially car-based models—are being designed with lower, more compatible bumpers.
More on the side
Side-impact tests apply more broadly than front-crash results do. Since the striking vehicle is the same within all the NHTSA tests and within all the IIHS tests, the results apply across all classes. In other words, a Good side-crash score for a small car is the same as a Good for a large car. That means that the side-crash results can be compared across all vehicle-size categories.
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CyberTom

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rharr

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Jeeps are toys, buy something safe for your family and when they grow bigger and you have money once again get a jeep.
 

ShadowsPapa

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It's interesting the differences between NHTSA and IIHS ratings on the Grand Cherokee.........
 

GladFox

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I feel like it’s the safest car I’ve ever owned. No airbags for the back passengers, but the front has front and side impact airbags. I have an Overland with the Advanced Safety package which includes Forward Collision Warning, Forward Collision Control (with active braking) and Blind Spot Monitoring. I got it in Punk’n Orange, so it’s noticeable, and I added aftermarket side marker/indicator lights that replace the vents for super cheap. I would feel comfortable letting any teenager behind the wheel and feel like they would be safer than if in an older sedan or small SUV.
 

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ShadowsPapa

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I feel like it’s the safest car I’ve ever owned. No airbags for the back passengers, but the front has front and side impact airbags. I have an Overland with the Advanced Safety package which includes Forward Collision Warning, Forward Collision Control. I got it in Punk’n Orange, so it’s noticeable, and I added aftermarket side marker/indicator lights that replace the vents for super cheap. I would feel comfortable letting any teenager behind the wheel and feel like they would be safer than if in an older sedan or small SUV.
What lights did you get?
 

mep4wd

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One of the first things I noticed about a Gladiator was the sense of strength (REAL STEEL FRAME) and the height I got out of it. In the event of an accident it should stand up to pretty much anything that's unibody construction. It's so much higher than most cars that the impact would actually happen below the cabin. Other trucks and vehicles that have body on frame construction share those same advantages Since the Jeep is a high ground clearance vehicle the possibility of rollover is greater, thanks to the laws of physics. Perhaps the safest thing on the road today is Tesla, with the possible exception of a battery fire that may occur with or without the aid of an impact.
 
OP
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Wow, this thread really blew up.

I just want to provide an update that I just placed my order for a 2021 Firecracker Red Jeep Gladiator Rubicon (specs below). It should arrive in 4-5 weeks so I’ll have it in time to take it on a few camping trips with my family before it gets too cold. I can’t properly express how excited I am and I’m thrilled to soon be part of the great Jeep community.

Hilariously, I’ll now have to make a new account here. How’s that for making one’s username obsolete in 3 posts?

I’m happy with Firecracker Red but am already thinking looking into getting a quote on repaitining it Billet Silver or possibly just getting a wrap. I tried everything I could to find one on a lot within 250 miles and the best option I found was a demo unit with 5000 miles on it. I’m not against demo units but it seems like a possibly risky idea with an off-road vehicle when you have no idea who drove it and how off-hours.

Build:

- 3.6 V6 24V, 8-Speed Automatic 850RE
- 4:1 Rock-Trac Full Time 4WD
- 17-Inch x 7.5-Inch Polished Black Aluminum Wheels with A/T Tires
- Packages: Premium Audio, Premium LED Lighting, Active Safety, Cold Weather, Aux Switches, Trailer Tow
- Leather interior
- Black 3-Piece Hard Top, Black Fender Flares
- Remote Prox Keyless Entry
- Forward-Facing TrailCam
- Spray-In Bedliner

A month or two after delivery I’m planning to add a steel bumper, winch, tonneau cover, satin black grille, and door sill guards. Next year I’m planning some bigger changes to make it more overland friendly (assuming I can dig up the money that is).

Thanks again everyone for chiming in.
 
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869 KPH

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Hilariously, I’ll now have to make a new account here. How’s that for making one’s username obsolete in 3 posts?
Ha! If it was me I'd just lean in to it hard. Congrats on the Jeep!
 

ShadowsPapa

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we saw a firecracker red JT while out today - my wife's comment? "there's a pretty one, I like that red".
It was a firecracker red in the dealer's showroom that got me into Gladiators to begin with. But we've had several red vehicles over the years, (red Jeeps even) and I have a red car so blue it was.
Congratulations.
You and family will be fine.

(DEFINITELY door sill guards - especially with others climbing in and out - that's a given)
 

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dcmdon

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So we need to drive taller tanks. Where will that story end? Whoever has the tallest and heaviest tank
Sadly, this is exactly right.
 

MrJeep

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Congrats, OP!
I'm surprised I didn't see any of the pictures that have been posted on this forum of all the wrecked Gladiators over the last couple of years. I'm too lazy to search for them but in all cases the passenger compartment was intact.
It's funny this post had me thinking, my kids, 11 and 13, love the Glady so much they probably wouldn't mind any extra risking dying in it. Too sick???
 

Jefe1018

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Wow, this thread really blew up.

I just want to provide an update that I just placed my order for a 2021 Firecracker Red Jeep Gladiator Rubicon (specs below). It should arrive in 4-5 weeks
Congrats OP! Now... did you dealer really tell you 4-5 weeks? What dealer did you use?!? LOL

Mine told me "10-12 weeks but don't be surprised if it shows up earlier".

:swear::swear::swear:
 
OP
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Yes, although I mistyped they actually said 4–6 weeks. I asked multiple times saying that I heard it could take longer and they were adamant that it wouldn’t. I can’t say I’m not skeptical but I’m happy to remain optimistic for the time being.
 

Dan in Pasadena

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Jeeps are toys, buy something safe for your family and when they grow bigger and you have money once again get a jeep.
I couldn't disagree more.

A Jeep is as capable a vehicle as any on the market and the only one with a factory installed full roll cage. As they sit, a Jeep Gladiator is leaps and bounds safer than almost ANY vehicle from say 5 to 10 years ago....as are most new vehicles on the market.
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