Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is quite serious about safety. Their brands, Ram and Jeep have helped support this goal. The 2020 Ram 1500 and the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have both earned the top honor from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). Both vehicles are made under Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), and each has been recognized by the IIHS as Top Safety Picks. This is the highest the current KL-generation model has achieved for the Jeep Cherokee since winning the same rating in its introduction with its 2014 model year. The new 2020 Ram 1500 is the first full-size pickup to be awarded this distinction. Meanwhile, for Jeep, no other vehicle apart of their brand has earned this rating from the IIHS since the 2017 Jeep Compass. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee also won the Most American Vehicle back-to-back years by Cars.com earlier this year. 

“Jeep improved the 2019 model with better A-pillars, front door hinges, door sills, and driver's seat belt “to provide better protection in moderate and small overlap crashes.” According to the IIHS. 

How the Each Vehicle Tested  

The precise Cherokee that won the award was equipped with front crash prevention technology. This new technology includes the high-beam assist on the LED projector headlights. The 2019 Cherokee earned “good” ratings on each of the six crashworthiness tests. The IIHS examined the Cherokee in both drive-side and passenger-side front small overlap collisions, which design frontal crashes where a vehicle hits a motionless target. Prior models calculated only “marginal” ratings for this testing. Jeep engineers solidified the vehicle, reinforcing the vehicle and its best attributes. The high-strength steel on the Cherokee’s A-pillars, front door-hinge pillars and door sills were a focus. Jeep also added reinforcements executed for better driver seat belts. 

More on the Improved Ram 1500

The IIHS award went to the 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab model with available accessories fitted. The Ram pickup went through a bevy of tests including side-impact, rear impact, a rollover test, and passenger-side small overlap front test. Ram won an "Advanced" in the frontal-crash avoidance test. Concerning the IIHS clearly states that the clarity and strength of the headlight output also matter in getting a perfect rating. Ram engineers sculptured on their optional adaptive LED projector headlights, including high-beam assist and automatic emergency braking technology to help the truck win this award as a result. As far as the IIHS is concerned, even an "Acceptable" rating prevents any vehicle from obtaining the top safety designation. These headlights are only on the Laramie and Limited trims, however.

FCA Adding Improved Technology Into Their Vehicles

Both brands were looking to improve their vehicles and put their platform over the top. Customers looking for a solid-pick for a vehicle can look into how the IIHS gave its most important rating, all thanks to improved features in the Ram 1500 and Jeep Cherokee. The Cherokee added its available automatic emergency braking system, known as the Forward Collision Warning-Plus feature. This system adds sensor-fusion technology with a high tech camera enhanced with radar can recognize if a crash can not be avoided. As with the Jeep Cherokee, a warning is set off and makes a noise to the driver to evade an accident in the 2020 Ram 1500. How else is Ram pushing the envelope? 

Real Technology Helping Drivers Out

During testing, the 2019 Cherokee moved out of two potential hits in simulations. Once at 12 and the other at 25 mph speeds. The headlights of the 2019 Cherokee have standard LED headlamps with a neat feature that automatically rotates between high and low-beam lighting. They switch depending on whether other vehicles are present. Jeep has remarked that more than 80 available safety features were added to the 2019 Cherokee. Ram has continued to add better safety measures as well that helped ensure this latest award. For those who want to experience top-tier vehicles, they would be set with either option. 

“This recognition validates our unrelenting efforts to deliver more value for our customers. The new Ram 1500 has earned many accolades for its capability and design. It is immensely satisfying to have the IIHS recognize our truck for its compelling safety story,” said Reid Bigland, Head of the Ram brand. 

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