Introduction
When considering a safe vehicle without regard to price, large vehicles, particularly pickups, are often the first to come to mind. Companies like Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota offer these types of vehicles, but the relationship between size and safety levels is not as direct as many might think.
New Vehicle Design
Modern vehicles are built with specific materials and designs aimed at absorbing as little impact as possible during an accident. Smaller vehicles tend to absorb less energy from impacts. In contrast, larger and heavier vehicles absorb more shock, especially during frontal collisions, as demonstrated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Safety Test Results
The IIHS reported that most small trucks or pickups struggled to achieve the required safety ratings in crash tests. Eleven pickups were tested for driver-side and passenger-side safety, yielding the following results:
- 3 vehicles were rated as good in terms of safety.
- 2 vehicles were rated as acceptable.
- 5 vehicles were close to the minimum rating.
- 1 vehicle completely failed the test.
Expert Opinions
David Zuby, the chief researcher at IIHS, stated, "We commend Ford, Nissan, and Ram for providing the latest safety features for both drivers and front passengers in their large truck models. However, for all vehicles as a group, the pickup truck category still has a long way to go."
Informative Video
Watch the video below to learn more about the safety of pickup trucks:
