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In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing, the 2022 Wrangler four-door tipped over onto its right side in the driver-side small overlap front test. The IIHS says it’s a repeat problem in the Wrangler, and structural modifications did not correct it.
How did the 2022 Subaru Forester perform in the same test? The Forester received the highest “Good” score in the small overlap driver-side front test from the IIHS. The Forester earned the highest overall Top Safety Pick+ award recently.
photo credit: IIHS
Why are the Forester and other Subaru vehicles safer?
The 2022 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and Ascent all come with 8.7-inches of ground clearance, and the higher ride height allows the vehicles to clear any obstructions on the road or an off-road trail. But Subaru models won’t tip over in a crash because they have a lower center of gravity.
Subaru uses the horizontally-opposed four-cylinder Boxer engine, which sits lower in the chassis and frame, giving the all-wheel-drive vehicle a lower center of gravity and better driving dynamics than the Jeep Wrangler. The Wrangler comes with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine which sits higher in the chassis, and it’s one reason why it’s not as stable as the Forester.
Subaru Forester has better balance
As with a professional athlete, balance is one of the most important things, and it’s the difference between being good and being great. Scientifically, balance is defined as the body’s ability to maintain its center of gravity above its support base. The Forester sits higher off the ground and still maintains stability in all driving situations. The Subaru Forester brings a unique balance quality that sets the SUV apart from the Jeep Wrangler.
You don’t get this low center of gravity with an inline four-cylinder or a V6 engine design like the Jeep Wrangler. If a driver in the family makes a mistake or is involved in a crash in the Forester, they’ll still be ok, and the car won’t tip over. If you make a mistake in the Wrangler, the driver and passengers could get hurt.
The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness and Outback Wilderness have even more ground clearance (Outback 9.5-inches, Forester 9.2-inches), and the lower center of gravity is even more important when navigating a steep, uneven trail.
The 2022 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and Ascent offer things SUV shoppers are looking for; affordability, good fuel mileage, generous cargo capacity, a spacious, well-equipped cabin, standard safety features, and user-friendly technology. But they bring a unique balance and stability not found in any other SUV. They won’t tip over in a crash like the 2022 Jeep Wrangler.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: main image IIHS, Subaru
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