As gas prices soared past $4/gallon nationwide, and full-sized pickup trunk sales plummeted by double-digit percentages, some corners of the auto industry cast an optimistic eye toward small pickup trucks. Theory would have it that people would be right-sizing their trucks, just as they have cars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) took that sales hope and sent it careening into an offset barrier at 40 mph for their crash tests, then rammed it from the side with a 3,300-lb moving barrier, and finally backed it into a barrier. The results are mixed, with the Toyota Tacoma coming out on top, and some others considered “dismal.”
This marks the first time the Institute has pulverized small pickups, and it is well timed. They note that these compact vehicles aren’t providing as much protection in side crashes as many new cars and SUVs. Though in fairness, most are based on old designs, and those that faired best are the newest. Still, the results are enough to make one give a second thought to choosing a pickup truck, especially when you consider their modest real-world fuel economy.
Institute President Adrian Lund said, “Until they improve, most small pickups aren’t good choices for people looking for safe transportation.” Ouch.
Small pickup trucks have the highest driver death rates of any vehicles on the road, including minicars, according to the Institute. In 2006 small pickups experienced 116 driver deaths per million registered vehicles 1-3 years old. This compares with 106 for minicars, 99 for small cars, and 42 for small SUVs. Part of the reason is that small pickup trucks are more likely than other passenger vehicles to be involved in single-vehicle crashes, especially rollovers. In this group, all but the Tacoma and Frontier lack electronic stability control-- a key feature in preventing crashes. In fact, it’s standard on just 12 percent of 2008 pickups, and it’s not available at all on 67 percent.
Crashworthiness, as ranked by IIHS:
Toyota Tacoma, crew cab
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags – optional in 2005-2008 models; standard in 2009 models.
Test applies to: 2005-2008 models.
Dodge Dakota & Mitsubishi Raider, crew cab
Front: Good
Side: Marginal
Rear: Acceptable
Without optional side airbags.
Test applies to: 2005-2008 models.
Nissan Frontier, crew cab
Front: Good
Side: Marginal
Rear: Poor
Without optional side airbags.
Test applies to: 2005-2008 models.
Ford Ranger & Mazda B-Series, extended cab
Front: Acceptable
Side: Marginal
Rear: Poor
No side airbags available.
Test applies to: Front and rear 1999-2008; rear 2006-2008 models.
Chevrolet Colorado & GMC Canyon, crew cab
Front: Acceptable
Side: Poor
Rear: Marginal
Without optional side airbags.
Test applies to: 2004-2008 models.
Learn more about car safety from our DriveSmart articles.
