We rank all of the latest 2019 and 2020 full-size half-ton pickup trucks from the least to the most safe, according to the results of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests and evaluation.
All images, clips, and data you see here are provided by the IIHS.
Here is a quick description of all the tests and evaluations that IIHS performs on every vehicle they test. The tests are: frontal crash small and moderate overlap, side crash, roof strength press, head restraint and seat evaluation, headlight testing, front crash prevention technology; and child seat anchor evaluation. We made quick abbreviations for each test you can see below in parenthesis.
- Small overlap front: driver side (SOD)
- Small overlap front: passenger side (SOP)
- Moderate overlap front: driver side (MOD)
- Side (SIDE)
- Roof strength (ROOF)
- Head restraints & seats (HRS)
- Headlights (Headlights)
- Front Crash Prevention (FCP)
- Child seat anchors (CSA)
The scale: P – Poor, M – Marginal, A – Acceptable, and G – Good.
5. Toyota Tundra
- SOD = M, structure = M, Lower Leg = P;
- SOP = P, structure = P, hip = M, lower leg = P;
- MOD = G;
- Side = G;
- Roof = A (curb: 5,432 lbs, 3.94 times – > 21,384 lbs).
- HRS = G,
- Headlights = M, IIHS says. Visibility is fair on the left and inadequate on the right on straightaways. Inadequate in curves. Has high-beam assist.
- FCP: crash prevention = Superior; Forward collision warning meets standard. 12 mph and 25 mph collision avoidance
- CSA = A, 2 seats have LATCH hardware, third position is tether only.
4. Nissan Titan
- SOD = G, but lower leg = A;
- SOP = G, but structure = A;
- MOD = G;
- Side = G, but driver torso rating = Acceptable;
- Roof = G (curb: 5,460 lbs, 4.55 times -> 24,857 lbs).
- HRS = G;
- Headlights = M (not curve adaptive, no high beam assist). IIHS says. Visibility is fair on straightaways, but inadequate in curves.
- FCP: crash prevention is not available, but 360-degree cam, blind spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert are there.
- CSA = A. 2 positions have LATCH hardware, third position is tether only.
3. Chevy Silverado / GMC Sierra 1500
- SOD = G, but structure/safety cage & lower leg/foot are acceptable.
- SOP = Marginal, structure/safety cage are Poor.
- MOD = G,
- SIDE = G,
- Roof = G (curb: 4,818 lbs -> 4.62 times = 22,236 lbs),
- HRS = G,
- Headlights = P.
- IIHS says: straightaway visibility is good. In curves, visibility is fair for left, but inadequate for right curves.
- FCP: Superior. Forward collision warning meets standard. 12 mph and 25 mph collision avoidance
- CSA = M, 2 positions with lower seat anchors, 3rd position is a tether.
2. Ford F-150
- SOD = G,
- SOP = G,
- MOD = G,
- Side = G,
- Roof = G (curb: 4,651 lbs -> 5.85 times = 27,215 lbs),
- HRS = G,
- Headlights = P. IIHS says : visibility was inadequate on straightaways and on all 4 curve tests they ran (for low and high beams). Raptor lights were also rated Poor, but Raptor lights worked better on straightaways, according to IIHS testing.
- FCP: Superior. Forward collision warning meets standard. 12 mph and 25 mph collision avoidance
- CSA = M. 2 positions with lower seat anchors, 3rd position is a tether.
1. Ram 1500
- Currently, the only full-size truck with the “Top Safety Pick+” rating from IIHS.
- SOD = G, but lower leg = M;
- SOP = G, but structure = A;
- MOD = G;
- Side = G;
- Roof = G (curb: 5,254 lbs, 4.24 times -> 22,302 lbs; Older generation truck had Marginal roof strength that could handle 2.97 times or 15,412 lbs)
- HRS = G,
- Headlights = G on Longhorn & Limited trims. Curve adapting and high-beam assist. Light is inadequate on gradual left turn. High beams helps across the board. Other trim levels are rated Marginal (not Poor).
- FCP: Superior, Forward collision warning meets standard. 12 mph and 25 mph collision avoidance
- CSA = M. All 3 rear positions have complete LATCH seat attachments/anchors.
Here is the entire 2019/2020 full-size truck safety overview video.
