By Dave Bean, FMW Associate Editor
July 5, 2023
Manufacturers of five small pickup trucks with crew cabs were disappointed to learn the results of the recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) updated moderate overlap front crash test on those vehicles.
While the goal was to have earned a ‘good’ or better rating, only the Nissan Frontier had so much as an ‘acceptable’ score. Those receiving less than acceptable ratings include Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma. And while the Ford Ranger did earn a ‘marginal’ rating, the remainder were branded ‘poor.’
“Our updated moderate overlap front crash test proved to be challenging for small pickups,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “A common problem was that the rear passenger dummy’s head came dangerously close to the front seatback, and in many cases, dummy measurements indicated a risk of neck or chest injuries. All these things tell us that the rear seat belts need improvement.”
Interestingly, since the IIHS revised this specific crash test last year, the front seat has proven to be safer than in previous tests. Yet, the rear seat has been revealed to be at greater risk of fatality for those wearing seat belts. It’s not that the rear seat has devolved in safety, but rather that the disparity between rear and front seat crash test results has widened with the updated test. Despite this outcome, the IIHS insists that the back seat is still the best place for youngsters in regard to protection.
The primary criterion for a vehicle to secure a ‘good’ rating for rear-seat safety largely comes down to whether or not the crash test dummy was determined to be at overwhelming risk of receiving an injury to various major body components, including the head, neck, chest, or thigh.
For the Colorado, Frontier, Ranger and Tacoma, the rear seat belts did not prevent the crash test dummy’s head from efficiently clearing the back of the front seat. While the Gladiator did not have this issue, it did suffer score-wise because it lacks a side-curtain airbag which might properly protect those restrained in the back seat.
While the five pickups tested did secure predominantly negative results for rear-seat safety, they did receive passing grades for the front-seat. Worth noting is that both the Gladiator and Tacoma were determined to leave drivers somewhat more vulnerable to leg or foot damage.
