IIHS crash tests sludge some popular pickup trucks
New collision tests show pickup with some of the oldest designs that may be required to protect front seat passengers.
The Motorway Insurance Institute tested eleven mid-size and full-size pickups and found mixed results.
" In general, the truck class of vehicles does not go so well a job that protects the right passengers like other classes of vehicles, "said David Zuby, IIHS chief researcher.
Among the full pickups, the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Nissan Titan received the best possible" good "rating ̵[ads1]1; a class over Honda Ridgeline which was considered "acceptable. "
By comparison, the IIHS states that the Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra provide" marginal "protection for passengers in the front seat when the right-hand corner of the truck enters another vehicle or an object at 40 miles per hour.
Dan Flores, a spokesman for General Motors, says the automaker is constantly working to improve the safety of that truck. "GM designs our vehicles to protect residents in a wide range of crashes, including front, offset, angle, side and rear overhangs. "He said.
IIHS gave a poor rating – lowest – to Toyota Tundra.
A Toyota spokesman told CNBC that" the safety and reliability of the vehicles is top priority. "He added:" We will continue to Look for ways to improve to exceed customer expectations – especially in new testing, like the IIHS passenger side in front of small truck overlaps (tests). "
Why can some of the most popular pickups struggle to ask Shoot passengers in some of the most common front-end collisions?
IIHS said part of the problem is that some pickups have older designs that do not emphasize passenger protection in front of the seats as far as is expected today.
"We are reasonably certain that when those trucks are redesigned, they will incorporate better protection for the passenger," Zuby said.
It is difficult to know how much the tests will affect the truck's decisions buyers.
Pickup sales have risen over the past five years, as more Americans have chosen a truck instead of driving. Last year, pickup sales in the United States managed 4.3 percent, according to the automated website Edmunds, while car sales in general were only fractionally higher.