Understanding Small Pickups and their Safety Standards
The love for small pickups is at an all-time high, with many customers attracted to their rugged builds and versatile functionality. However, it’s essential to always keep safety at the forefront of vehicle consideration. Recent safety ratings have suggested that there are only two small pickup trucks that have received top safety awards. This article will delve into which two small pickups made the cut and why, also covering their safety features that led to such success.
What Defines a Small Pickup?
Before progressing, it’s crucial to understand what exactly constitutes a small pickup. Small pickups, often referred to as compact trucks, provide the features of a full-sized truck but are shrunken down in size. They find a popular audience amongst those who require durability and utility without opting for heftier full-sized alternatives. Some popular variants include the Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, and Chevy Colorado, among others.
Key Areas Tested in Safety Assessments
When factoring safety, specific key areas of consideration get analyzed. These areas include front crash prevention, structure, and safety cage, tests to check the roof strength, headrests, and seats, side, and the standard front crash. To receive an award, a vehicle must receive ‘good’ results in all these tests. Additionally, the vehicle must also provide ‘adequate’ or ‘superior’ front crash prevention abilities.
Breaking Down the Two Winning Small Pickups
Following the strict safety guidelines and rigorous testing, only two small pickups emerged victorious. Here, we dive into what made them so secure, the safety features they offer, and how they are compared to others in the same category.
The Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline bagged the IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick award. It achieved the highest ‘good’ rating in accident mitigation tests, faring considerably well in roof strength testing and small overlap and moderate overlap front crash testing. One of the signature safety features of this model is the Honda Sensing safety technology suite, which includes collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
The Ford Ranger
Alongside the Honda Ridgeline, the Ford Ranger also earned the highest safety ratings for many tests, ultimately achieving the IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick. It bears features such as the Ford Co-Pilot360 technology, which offers automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection features.
Comparing Other Small Pickups
Although only two made the top safety cut, the testing also involved several other versions. Unfortunately, pickup trucks like Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon failed to secure a place because their safety standards didn’t quite measure up. Front crash prevention technologies offered by these vehicles only scored an “acceptable” or “marginal” rating, instead of the ideal “good”. This shortcoming indicates that more work needs to be done to ensure all-around safety in small pickup trucks.
Final Thoughts
As far as small pickups go, safety standards should always take precedence over other features to ensure that one chooses the best and safest vehicle out there. For now, the Honda Ridgling and Ford Ranger stand on the top in terms of safety, setting new standards for other trucks in this popular segment.
Undoubtedly, there is still a long way to go to achieve perfect safety scores across all trucks. Manufacturers must heed this information and focus on improving safety features in their future models. Opting for a safer vehicle can mean the difference between life and death in case of an accident, making these considerations non-negotiable for any prospective buyer.
Stay Safe, Ride Safe!
Always keep safety in mind when considering your next vehicle purchase. It’s not merely about the accessories and aesthetics. Sometimes, the most critical feature cannot be seen on the surface but lies within the vehicle’s core. The ability to provide safety assurance makes a pickup truck truly worth its value. Choose wisely!