Popular Large Pickups Falter in Backseat Safety Tests

Four of the most popular large pickup trucks performed poorly in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s latest tests for back seat safety.

2023 model crew cab versions of the Ram 1500, Ford F-150, and Toyota Tundra earned "Good" ratings in the IIHS’s updated side impact test, while the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was marked as being “Acceptable.”

However, in the updated moderate-overlap front crash test that measures backseat safety, the F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevrolet Silverado were rated "Poor”, and the Toyota Tundra managed a “Marginal” rating.

“Like most other vehicle classes, large pickups don’t perform as well in the new moderate overlap evaluation as they do in the updated side test, which is now a requirement for our Top Safety Pick awards,” said David Harkey, IIHS president.

Ratings in updated moderate overlap front test: large pickupsIIHSIIHS launched the updated moderate overlap front test last year after research showed that in newer vehicles the risk of a fatal injury is now higher for belted occupants in the second row than for those in front.

The rear seat hasn't become any more unsafe, but safety has improved in the front seat due to due to airbags, restraint technologies, and other areas of focus that typically are not applied to the back.

Historically, rear-seat occupants were cushioned from front crashes by the front seats and the front crumple zone.