The 2022 Jeep Wrangler and 2022 Ford Bronco Sport are two of the most popular SUVs this year. They’re rugged, sporty, and versatile. Yet one is clearly safer, and if safety is a priority of yours, you’ll want to be on top of their crash test ratings so you can make an informed decision. Here’s why in the decision between the 2022 Jeep Wrangler vs. the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport, the Ford Bronco Sport is the better pick.

The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+

The IIHS gives out two awards to reward the safest vehicles; the Top Safety Pick+ and the Top Safety Pick award. The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport took home their best award, the Top Safety Pick+. While there are many SUVs that are worthy of the Top Safety Pick award, the Bronco’s status as a Top Safety Pick+ puts it head and tails above many other options. It proves that the Bronco has great crash test ratings, safety systems, and headlights.

The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport gets a good or better in all major categories and good headlights. In addition, it has superior safety systems. These scores are excellent; in fact, they’re the best scores a vehicle can get. The only less-than-perfect score is for the child seat anchors, which get an acceptable rating.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler doesn’t win a safety award

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler‘s safety scores aren’t exactly perfect. In fact, its small overlap crash test rating is marginal, which is the second-lowest score a vehicle can get. In addition, the updated side crash test is also marginal, and the headlight ratings are marginal and poor, with no good options available. This is important because more than half of fatal car crashes happen in the dark.

On top of that, the Jeep Wrangler tipped over in its crash test. In fact, it tipped over twice. Before this, no vehicle had ever tipped over during an IIHS driver side small overlap frontal test. 

Is an IIHS Top Safety Pick award important?

An IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award is important because it helps consumers choose the safest SUVs. By testing vehicles and sharing the results, the IIHS allows consumers to be more aware of potential issues with their vehicles, and car manufacturers have more accountability. The IIHS’ tests have evolved to keep pushing safety standards higher, which is important for both car buyers and manufacturers.

Although a vehicle winning the Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award is obviously a positive when you’re car shopping, not all vehicles with these awards are equal. The IIHS says, “These awards identify the best vehicle choices for safety within size categories during a given year. Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford more protection than smaller, lighter ones. Thus, a small car that qualifies for an award might not protect its occupants as well as a bigger vehicle that doesn’t earn the award.”

If safety is a priority when you’re looking for a new SUV and you’re torn between the 2022 Jeep Wrangler vs. 2022 Ford Bronco Sport, the Ford Bronco Sport is the clear winner. Not only does it win the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, it also didn’t tip over in its crash test.