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

foo.c

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If you have to ask, it's probably the wrong vehicle. It'll always be in the back of your mind and cause worry.
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FLACRACKER

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Put a smile on your face, get a JT. My wife has a 2011 CRV (bought new), she loves it. I drive an Overland, my Son in law and daughter with two kids drive a sport. I think that the JT is as safe as any car/truck, maybe safer as it is built for "off road". I have no rollover fear, I smile when I drive it !
 

DirkG

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I concur with others that the ratings were good. Here's IIHS for a stock Wrangler 2020. I know other sites have been mentioned, but here in the US, the IIHS ratings/testing are engineered for our roads, vehicles, and infrastructure.

I have 11 and 5 year old boys and I feel plenty safe driving them in the Gladiator. Keep in mind the tests are done with base-spec vehicles, so larger wheels and side steps/guards can help the equation as well.

I'm still no lift (this is an older pic), but even now a Prius coming at me from the side is going to have to go through a healthy bar of metal to get my cab. Obviously it will, but I would assume it would absorb some of the impact. These things are built like tanks; I'm very confident with my children in the vehicle.

Jeep Gladiator I want a Gladiator but I’m concerned it’s not safe enough for a family vehicle gator2-
 

Fizzy Logic

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I’m gonna suggest you’ve got a conflict of internal values. I did too when buying mine. 2 star ANCAP safety rating :(

The only other car that makes me smile is a Mustang, but also 2 star!

In one corner we want to be ‘happy dad’ in the other we want to be ‘safe dad’

The best reconciliation I found is to accept that I’m a balance of both. Thankfully too, because fully unhappy or fully unsafe dudes are shit people to be around.

I bought a Gladiator, smoke cigars and eat bacon. I’m happy.

I drive defensively, take first aid courses annually, eat fibre and replace our smoke alarm batteries. I’m safe.

Anyway, that’s my yin yang. Hope it helps.
 

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ShadowsPapa

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Please elaborate
I'm curious as well.
The manual is fine, it just has a lower tow rating, so it's a fine choice unless you need more towing capacity.
You really don't see many complaints about the manual transmission or clutch operation in these forums and I'd expect if they were that crappy, there'd be a dozen threads about them being crappy - like the dozen threads on the HVAC or the headlights or whatever.
 

SouthTXJT

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If you have to ask, it's probably the wrong vehicle. It'll always be in the back of your mind and cause worry.
Agreed. Someone had to say it.
 

SouthTXJT

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In the end you need to consider what is more important to you. Your want for the JL/JT or a full on safety cage that will survive short of a nuclear blast. I happen to think my JT is safe enough for the conditions I put it through. That is my opinion, though. Right or wrong, shouldn't influence you on your final decision. It's on you. If after 2+ years you still have a doubt, might not be it for you, man. Would hate to pay for a Rubicon (not cheap) and realize I made a mistake.
 

Hipbilly

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ChrisK

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I feel pretty safe putting My Children in my truck. The crash ratings are not bad, it is no minivan but it is a solid truck. Stopped on a road to take this for my Wife a few weeks ago in case your wondering about fitment. I did a lot of research prior to my purchase. I knew what I needed, I knew what I wanted. The crash data is not bad and my Children’s seats are secure in place and steel framed.

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Larry3x2

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Follow the money my friend. As an engineer who has worked in safety and standards development, the best correlation for actual safety is insurance rates. In the case of the Wrangler platform there is an enormous operating history which doesn’t indicate any increased premiums for injury rates. Having said that, the real problem for all vehicles is the failure of passengers to properly adjust and use the active safety components like shoulder belts and car seats as the passive components like air bags and crush zones are fixed in place.
 

rr11

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You have to make your own decisions. My wife was a ER and critical care nurse for 25 years, I have 35 years experience as a firefighter paramedic. I drive a 20 JT, and she Drives a 06 TJ. She had a bad rollover crash in her 05 TJ. She gives the 05 credit for her surviving. The reason she is still in a TJ is the 4 liter 6 speed she loves the way it drives.
 

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You have to make your own decisions. My wife was a ER and critical care nurse for 25 years, I have 35 years experience as a firefighter paramedic. I drive a 20 JT, and she Drives a 06 TJ. She had a bad rollover crash in her 05 TJ. She gives the 05 credit for her surviving. The reason she is still in a TJ is the 4 liter 6 speed she loves the way it drives.
Thanks to you both for doing what too many of us take for granted and then complain if it's not there.
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