Trucks score low in ‘small-overlap’ tests
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s latest crash tests of 11 new trucks have found more than half the segment is in need of significant improvement, especially when it comes to collisions with objects such as trees or poles.
The IIHS’s new “small-overlap” crash test mimics the vehicle striking an object across only about a quarter of the front bumper.
According to the IIHS, smalloverlap crashes are harder to provide protection from because the parts of the vehicle that are supposed to absorb the impact are often missed. In real life, the same thing happens when a car strikes a lamppost or other narrow obstacle.
Four of the vehicles tested were small pickups: the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and Nissan Frontier. All but the Tacoma scored a “Marginal” rating for the passenger-side test, while the Toyota scored an “Acceptable.”
The other seven trucks tested were from the full-size truck segment: the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Nissan Titan all earned a “Good” score in the test.
The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, however, both earned a score of “Marginal,” while the Toyota Tundra sunk to the bottom with a “Poor” score. The Honda Ridgeline slotted below the Ford, Ram and Nissan but above the GM twins, with an “Acceptable” score.
The Ford F-150 earned the highest overall score in the tests, and was touted for its brighter headlights. However, the test results generally showed most pickup trucks need to offer more in terms of safety.