According to the IIHS new standards, to qualify for the Top Safety Pick a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in front, side, rear, and rollover tests and must be equipped with electronic stability control.
"The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the first production vehicle to launch since our alliance with Fiat and a 'Top Safety Pick' is a great way to start our 2011 product offensive," said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President – Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC. "IIHS' recognition of five products underscores Chrysler Group's engineering capability and leadership in occupant protection."
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has passive features combined with accident-avoidance features, including ESC with traction control, Brake Assist and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), driver and front-passenger active head restraints, front seat-mounted side airbags and advanced multi-stage front airbags.
The car will be available in 3 models: Laredo, Limited and Overland. It is powered by the new 290-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that delivers up to 23 mpg and over 500 miles on one tank of gas. The entry-level version (Laredo 4x2) starts at $30,995 - $495 lower than the outgoing model.
"This award means that buyers of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee are getting state-of-the-art safety for the best protection in the most common kinds of crashes, and electronic stability control, which our research shows can help prevent crashes altogether," IIHS president Adrian Lund said in a release.
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