What Is the Safest Truck to Drive?
There’s a common misconception that if a vehicle is larger and has more metal, it is safe. However, it is the safety features and design that determine a vehicle’s safety level. This is especially true for trucks. Consequently, you must consider several features when you are buying your truck. But what is the safest truck to drive in 2021? This article will be listing the top safest trucks in 2021.
- 2021 Ram 1500
- 2018 Ford F-150
- 2021 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2021 GMC Sierra
- 2021 Honda Ridgeline
- 2021 Toyota Tacoma
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2021 Ford Ranger
- Final Words
2021 Ram 1500
No truck has better safety features and crashes test results than the Ram 1500. Even though the price is relatively high, the truck does come with many modern safety features and innovative tech design elements that make it the safest truck on the road. It has also demonstrated excellent crash test ratings and was able to reach a five-star rating for both front-impact and side-impact tests. This means that even if it crashes, its occupants will still remain safe. The headlights also receive greater safety designation than most trucks.
Motor trends experts are pleased with the 2021 Ram 1500’s capabilities, design, safety, comfort, and technology. Moreover, there is a high fuel efficiency rating, which will be difficult for competitors to replicate.
Some of its main security features include:
- Anti-lock: The anti-lock brakes can detect the effects of extreme brakings, such as a tire failing to rotate. Once this anomaly has been detected, the anti-lock brakes will rectify the brake pressure so that the tires can start rotating again. This increases the truck’s ability to go around corners.
- Stability control: Any truck can go above its handling limits. When this happens, the stability control feature will work on the engine power and activate some brakes to increase stability. The stability control feature assists drivers in controlling the truck.
- Impact airbags: If the Ram 1500 is involved in an accident, there are front impact airbags to guard the passengers and driver from head injuries. The front seats also have airbags to increase a person’s safety if the vehicle is involved in a collision. Similarly, overhead airbags are located on the roof of the truck, and they prevent the truck’s occupants during a rollover accident.
- Pretensioners: The seat belt of the Ram 1500 will automatically tighten and reposition the occupant so that they are in the right sitting position when an accident occurs.
- Security System: The safety features prevent any attempted theft of the truck since the vehicle will not start if a different ignition key is used. Instead, the vehicle will lock itself, making the Ram 1500 the safest-rated truck.
2018 Ford F-150
Although the 2020 Ford F-150 has demonstrated superior crash test performance, it still fails to provide safe headlights. In particular, the F-150 boasts of high side, front, and overall crash test ratings. As a result, the vehicle enjoys a five-star rating and a rollover rating of four stars from the NHTSA.
The aggregate result is that the F-150 has one of the highest safety ratings, despite its poor headlights design. Its IIHS rating is yet to be released, but experts believe that it will mirror the NHTSA rating.
The Ford F-150 has been named Truck of the Year twice, with the most recent recognition being in 2018. When the current generation was released in 2018, it immediately got the attention of safety experts. Moreover, the truck provided modern convenience and great outright capability. Its stylish design and use of modern software increase its ability to haul and tow cargo of all sizes.
One of the Ford F-150’s most noticeable features is the segment-first feature. The first part of this segment-first includes a flexible control mechanism with automatic speed capabilities. When you use this feature, you will be able to combine the functionalities of camera technologies, advanced radar, and preset speed to avoid a collision with other vehicles on the road. This stop-and-go feature ensures that there is a minimal distance between the truck and other vehicles on the road. The second part of the segment-first feature is a monitoring system that detects the presence of pedestrians near the truck. You can easily use these two features to have a better view of blind spots on the road.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado
The safety ratings of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado are fairly enticing, but they are not the best. If you decide to choose this truck, you will have to work with a five-star rated front impact and four-star side-impact rating, which also extends to the rollover ratings. The side impact gets a five-star rating courtesy of the NHTSA, but it doesn’t perform very well when it comes to the IIHS ratings.
The Chevrolet is designed to provide reliable condition warnings and enhanced braking systems, just like the Ford and Ram trucks. Even if the headlights don’t perform very well, the Chevrolet can still execute emergency braking protocols. Obviously, the safety features and response mechanisms on this truck can be improved with the right hardware and software. The IIHS hasn’t pronounced itself on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado’s safety ratings, but the overall NHTSA score stands at four stars.
One major disadvantage of the Chevrolet Silverado is that the manufacturer was very cautious with the latest technological advances. As other manufacturers introduced advanced improvements, the Chevrolet Silverado came out with cautious features. While it doesn’t provide the comfort or style seen in other trucks, it does come up with some innovative technological features and the use of modern software systems. Overall, the safety of the Chevrolet Silverado is good, but it doesn’t confer enough confidence.
2021 GMC Sierra
As safety features become a key feature of truck design, GMC is not being left behind. Observers have noted that the GMC Sierra shares many features with the Chevrolet Silverado and has become one of the top safe trucks. Consequently, both trucks enjoy similar safety ratings. A key advantage of the GMC Sierra is that it doesn’t cost a lot of money. This is a good thing because you will get a truck with high safety features but spend lesser amounts. Moreover, if you are involved in an accident, you will be safe.
There is no doubt that the GMC Sierra is more powerful, but it still doesn’t achieve great safety ratings. Although the Sierra offers exclusive transportation, safety, and comfort features, it still doesn’t reach what was marketed by GMC. Hopefully, GMC will do more to improve the capabilities and create more safety innovations for its next GMC Sierra release.
The GMC Sierra 1500 has other exceptional differentiating features that make it one of the safest trucks on the road. For instance, the latest model has a carbon fiber truck bed with rust resistance and superior dent-resistant features. There is also a MultiPro tailgate feature and partially dropped-down steps or mid position. These advanced features increase the security of the system. You can also request other modifications, such as upper trims, to provide extra security.
Another convenient security feature is the new indicator system to complement the pre-existing blind spot detection mechanism. The drivers will now have better views of the blind spots and react better if an emergency situation occurs.
2021 Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline is yet to be named the Truck of the Year, but it has already demonstrated attractive safety ratings. For instance, the latest crash testing results have earned the Honda Ridgeline a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Even better, the five-star rating has been extended to the side and front impact rating. However, the NHTSA has maintained that the Honda Ridgeline rollover safety rating cannot go beyond a four-star rating.
When it comes to the IIHS safety report, the Honda Ridgeline garners top ratings in nearly every test except the passenger-side crash test. Similarly, the truck fails to get the Top Safety Pick rating because the headlights cannot warn of an impending collision with a passenger.
Users of the Honda Ridgeline have commented that the vehicle performs just like an SUV. Among its many SUV-like capabilities are its drivability, comfort, and clever thinking. The vehicle also comes with more interior space, even though these features have inflated the Honda Ridgeline’s total price. At the same time, the vehicle’s ability to operate off-road has been put into question.
The Honda Ridgeline uses anti-lock brakes to prevent stopping when brakes are applied suddenly. Once the tires have stopped working, the anti-lock system will modify the brake pressure. This instantaneous action reduces the brake pressure and enables the tires to start rotating again.
Another safety feature of the Honda Ridgeline is its stability control. This feature monitors the vehicle’s handling performance. If the handling performance exceeds a certain limit, the engine power will be reduced, and some brakes will be activated to increase vehicle stability.
2021 Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma has been one of the safest trucks for many years. Toyota hasn’t changed the design or the model for years, with the exception of a few occasional improvements. Failure to change the design means that the Toyota Tacoma has a smaller cabin and less efficient driveability. However, no vehicle can match the Toyota Tacoma’s reliability and durability. This is a great feature, especially when your truck conducts frequent trips into the wilderness.
The Toyota Tacoma has come a long way with its security features. Many of these features have undergone a renaissance, and previously discarded features are now being introduced. Consequently, Tacoma has high off-road security performance and better dependability.
In 2021, the main features of Tacoma continue to be the backbone of its security system. However, Toyota has decided to add extra features, such as the Nightshade Edition model inside and outside the truck. The truck has also received a new color, as the popular army green color is thrown out in favor of the lunar rock paint.
2021 Ford Ranger
Ford used design elements and safety features from an older model to create the 2021 Ford Ranger. Nevertheless, the Ford Ranger still possesses many valuable safety features. As a result, the NHTSA has awarded the Ford Ranger with a five-star rating for front and side-impact tests, although the rollover rating is at a dismal three-star rating.
The vehicle’s rating prospects are remarkably better with IIHS testing, where this vehicle gets incredible results in virtually all crash tests. If you have an issue with the rollover rating, you should probably not choose the 2021 Ford ranger. However, the 2021 Ford ranger is one of the vehicles with the best emergency and impact warning systems.
The 2021 Ford Ranger tries to make up for its shortcomings by improving its hauling and towing capabilities. It’s also a good choice for trucks that frequent sloppy terrain.
Final Words
Safety on the road remains a big concern for all road users. That is why truck drivers and manufacturers are racing to create the safest truck on the road. While there are many safe trucks, we think that the 2021 Ram 1500 is the safest truck to buy.
