F-150, Silverado, and Ram Walk Into a Crash Test And The Ram 1500 Leads The Way

When it comes to choosing a full-size pickup truck, most buyers think about towing capacity, engine power, and interior comfort. Safety, however, is just as important, especially for families who rely on these vehicles every single day. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently put the country's three best-selling pickups through a rigorous battery of tests, and the results are worth paying attention to before making a purchase decision.

The three trucks in question are the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and Ram 1500. These are the most popular full-size pickups in America, and each has a loyal following. But popularity and safety are two different conversations, and the latest IIHS data tells an interesting story for us here at Landmark Dodge of Morrow. 

Understanding How the IIHS Grades Trucks

Before diving into the numbers, it helps to understand how the IIHS scoring system works. Rather than issuing a single overall grade, the IIHS assigns one of four ratings to each individual test category: Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor. Tests cover both how well a vehicle protects occupants during a crash and how effectively the truck's technology works to prevent a collision from happening in the first place.

It is also worth noting that ratings can vary depending on trim level. This is especially common with headlight evaluations, since higher trims typically come equipped with more advanced lighting systems. Keeping that in mind, the focus here is on 2026 crew cab configurations across all three trucks.

The IIHS uses a combination of real-world crash simulations and controlled laboratory conditions to replicate the kinds of collisions drivers are most likely to encounter on the road. That includes front-end impacts at various angles, side collisions, and scenarios involving pedestrians stepping into a vehicle's path. 

The goal is not simply to measure how a truck crumbles under pressure, but to evaluate how well the structure and safety systems inside work together to keep the people in that vehicle protected. It is a thorough and demanding process, and earning strong marks across multiple categories is no small achievement. With that context in place, the results for the F-150, Silverado, and Ram 1500 become even more meaningful.

Crashworthiness: Where the Ram and F-150 Pull Ahead

In the crashworthiness category, the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 deliver comparable results, while the Silverado 1500 trails behind both. Three tests fall under this category: the small overlap front test, the moderate overlap front test, and the side impact test.

The small overlap front test simulates a scenario where the front corner of a vehicle strikes another object or vehicle. The moderate overlap front test evaluates an offset collision between two vehicles and specifically examines how well back-seat passengers are protected. The side impact test measures occupant protection when a vehicle is struck from the side.

Both the Ram and the Ford earned Good ratings in the small overlap front and side tests. The Silverado received a Marginal rating in the small overlap front test and an Acceptable rating in the side test. All three trucks received a Poor rating in the moderate overlap front test, which highlights a shared challenge across the full-size pickup segment when it comes to protecting rear passengers in certain collision scenarios. This is something the entire industry is actively working to improve.

When looking more closely at specific injury risk data covering the head, neck, torso, and pelvis, the Ram 1500 comes out with the strongest collection of Good ratings among the three. The Ford F-150 follows closely behind, and both trucks demonstrate a meaningful commitment to occupant protection across multiple impact scenarios.

Crash Prevention Technology: Ram Takes the Top Spot Again

Beyond how a truck handles a crash, the IIHS also evaluates how well each vehicle works to avoid a collision entirely. This includes headlight performance and the effectiveness of front crash prevention systems for both pedestrian and vehicle-to-vehicle scenarios.

On the headlight front, both the Ram and the Ford offer configurations that earn a top Good rating. For the Ram, the LED projector headlights are the standout choice. For the Ford, the LED reflector option is the one to look for. Both trucks give buyers a clear path to excellent nighttime visibility when properly equipped.

For pedestrian crash prevention, the Ram and Ford both earn Good ratings, demonstrating strong performance in detecting and responding to pedestrians in the vehicle's path. The Ram's standard front crash prevention system also earns a Marginal rating in the vehicle-to-vehicle test, showing that the technology is actively engaged and working even if there is still room for the segment as a whole to grow in this area.

Child Safety Seat Ease of Use

One additional data point worth mentioning for families is the IIHS evaluation of the LATCH system, which is the built-in anchoring system used to secure child safety seats. All three trucks receive a Marginal score in this category, which reflects an industry-wide opportunity for improvement rather than a flaw unique to any single truck. 

Families who rely on child safety seats should be aware of this and take extra care when installing and securing car seats in any of these vehicles.

The Bottom Line: Ram 1500 Leads the Pack

Based on the most recent IIHS evaluations, the Ram 1500 comes out on top as the strongest performer in the full-size pickup segment when safety is the primary concern. The Ford F-150 is a close and competitive second, delivering solid results across most of the same categories. Both trucks demonstrate that safety and capability can absolutely go hand in hand.

For anyone shopping for a full-size pickup that prioritizes occupant protection and advanced crash prevention technology, the Ram 1500 makes a compelling case. It leads in injury risk ratings, earns strong marks in headlight performance, and comes equipped with a standard crash prevention system that puts it a step ahead of the competition.

Stop in today and take a closer look at the Ram 1500 lineup. Whether the priority is performance, comfort, or keeping the family safe on every drive, the Ram 1500 delivers impeccably on all fronts!