IIHS Safety Ratings Explained: How Mid-Size Pickups Performed
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently completed rigorous testing of 2017 model-year mid-size pickup trucks, which the organization classifies as "small" pickups. This comprehensive evaluation included both crew cab and extended cab versions of four popular models:
- Chevrolet Colorado
- GMC Canyon
- Nissan Frontier
- Toyota Taco
Among the eight configurations tested (two cab styles for each model), four achieved Good ratings across all five of IIHS's crashworthiness evaluations. These top performers included:
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Understanding IIHS Rating Criteria
IIHS evaluates vehicles using a four-tier rating system (Good, Acceptable, Marginal, Poor) across five critical crash tests:
- Moderate overlap front test - Simulates a frontal collision with another vehicle
- Small overlap front test - Replicates hitting a pole or tree at the front corner
- Side impact test - Measures protection in T-bone collisions
- Roof strength evaluation - Assesses rollover protection
- Head restraint assessment - Evaluates whiplash prevention
These individual test results contribute to two overarching categories: Overall Rating and Structure Rating. Notably, none of the tested mid-size pickups qualified for IIHS's highest honors - Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus - due to limitations in advanced safety features.
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Detailed Model-by-Model Safety Breakdown
Toyota Tacoma: The Standout Performer
The Tacoma emerged as the most consistently safe option, with both its Double Cab (crew cab) and Access Cab (extended cab) configurations earning Good ratings across all categories. This impressive performance includes:
- Excellent structural integrity in all impact scenarios
- Effective occupant protection in side collisions
- Strong roof structure for rollover protection
Toyota has announced that the 2018 Tacoma will feature standard automatic emergency braking and improved headlights with high-beam assist, potentially positioning it for Top Safety Pick consideration.
Chevrolet Colorado & GMC Canyon: Crew Cabs Excel
The mechanically similar Colorado and Canyon crew cab models matched the Tacoma's safety performance with Good ratings in all categories. However, their extended cab versions showed some vulnerabilities:
While available automatic emergency braking systems on higher trims received only a Basic rating, limiting their potential for higher IIHS accolades.
Nissan Frontier: Showing Its Age
The Frontier, largely unchanged since 2005, delivered the weakest performance:
How Mid-Size Pickups Compare to the Segment Leader
Earlier in 2017, IIHS tested half-ton pickup trucks including the all-new Honda Ridgeline, which earned the prestigious Top Safety Pick Plus designation - the only pickup to achieve this honor.
When comparing the Ridgeline's performance to these mid-size trucks, several key differences emerge:
- Advanced safety systems: The Ridgeline offered superior-rated automatic emergency braking
- Lighting technology: Available headlights on certain trims received Good ratings
- Structural design: Unibody construction may contribute to better crash energy management
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The Importance of Headlight Performance
Since introducing headlight evaluations in 2016, IIHS has pushed manufacturers to improve nighttime visibility systems. Current findings for mid-size pickups reveal:
- Most models offer only Marginal or Poor-rated headlights
- High-quality lighting systems typically limited to top trim levels
- The Honda Ridgeline remains the only pickup with Good-rated headlight options
This factor significantly impacts overall safety, as poor lighting contributes to approximately 50% of fatal crashes that occur at night, dawn, or dusk according to IIHS data.
Safety Considerations When Choosing a Mid-Size Pickup
Based on these IIHS results, buyers should prioritize:
While no mid-size pickup matched the Honda Ridgeline's safety achievements, the segment shows promising development, with manufacturers increasingly prioritizing crash protection and advanced driver aids.
The Future of Pickup Truck Safety
As IIHS continues raising its evaluation standards, manufacturers are responding with:
- Standard automatic emergency braking on more models
- Improved headlight technology across more trim levels
- Enhanced structural designs for small overlap protection
- More comprehensive standard safety features even on base models
These developments suggest that future model years may see mid-size pickups achieving Top Safety Pick status as safety technologies trickle down from premium segments.
