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| Image from: http://cars.cozot.com/coches/us/2010/08/13/90752.jpg |
The 5 areas of ergonomics research include safety, comfort, ease of use, performance, and aesthetics; in that order.
Beginning with safety, the 2010 Jeep Wrangler’s ratings have pros and cons. The driver and passenger protection in a frontal crash is very good, 5 stars in fact (according to the federal government). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or the IIHS, conducted a frontal offset crash test for the Jeep. The dummy’s position after the test indicated survival space maintained. The dummy’s head hit only on the head restraint. The right leg was the only body part marked ‘acceptable’ versus ‘good’ in this crash test.
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| Image from http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/safety.aspx?year=2010&make=Jeep&model=Wrangler&trimid=-1 |
The Jeep Wrangler’s side airbags are optional, making it a safety issue. The IIHS ranked side impact tests’ safety as ‘poor.’ Another safety issue of the Jeep Wrangler is that they have 27 percent chance of rollover. (http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Jeep_Wrangler/Safety/) It was assigned only 3 stars out of 5 for passenger injury protection in the rollover test. Jeep’s safety feature for the chance of rolling is the roll bar. It generally protects passengers very well from injury in the case of a rollover accident.
The next aspect of this vehicle to consider is its comfort. Is it designed for passenger’s ergonomic comfort? Some consider the Jeep Wrangler an uncomfortable car. It is a sport-utility vehicle, designed more for performance. Older models of Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, for example, are a bumpy and noisy ride. Jeep’s 2010 Wrangler Unlimited model, however, has added interior comfort features which were not incorporated in many previous models. There are one touch power windows and power locks, and the doors are still reportedly easy to remove. There are convenient seat adjustments for driver and passenger comfort, and the interior cabin has improved insulation for a quiet ride.
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| Jeep Wrangler 2010. Image from http://www.jeep.com/en/2010/wrangler_unlimited/interior/comfort/ |
Ease of Use. The Jeep Wrangler has features and accessories which are quite easy to use. The navigation and audio system installed in newest versions of the Jeep Wrangler are reportedly some of the easiest to function. The doors and roof are fairly easy to remove and replace, since Jeep owners like to transform their vehicles often. Jeep replacement parts, such as roof racks, soft doors, or side mirrors, ensure long life and ease of use. Complaints about Jeep Wranglers include poor fuel economy and not easy to use with young children and car seats.
Performance is one area of ergonomics that the Jeep Wrangler takes pride in. This sport-utility vehicle is designed for off-roading. “This SUV's lineage goes back more than 60 years to the original military "Jeep," the now-legendary 4x4 that transported World War II soldiers and supplies over very rough terrain,” one review reads. (http://www.edmunds.com/jeep/wrangler/review.html) Although newer models are adding safety and convenience features, their off-road capabilities are the same. “Crawl ratios” refer to the combined first gear x low range x axle ratio. They are incredibly high in Jeep Wranglers, which means low speed and lots of control for crawling over rocks and obstacles. The Rubicon model has a crawl ratio of 73.1. (http://www.jeep.com/en/2010/wrangler/capability/off_road_performance/)
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| Image from http://www.gilmoremotors.com/images/Jeep_w2.jpg |
The Jeep Wrangler has very unique aesthetics. With its boxy shape, and its distinct roll cage, the Wrangler is a one-of-a-kind. It looks like it is made for driving across the great outdoors. It can come in a variety of colors, and models. Although aesthetics are last on the list of ergonomic importance, Jeep Wranglers are well-designed in terms of appearance. So much so that I would say the Jeep is an icon for off-roading.
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