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The Safest Trucks for 2026: Work Hard, Stay Safe Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevrolet Silverado are Not Top Tier Alex LeanseWriter Ryan LugoIllustration By MotorTrend StaffPhotographer Apr 09, 2026 Many pickup trucks are designed with robust engineering, providing an inherent level of protection that casual observers might assume translates directly to overall safety. However, the reality of automotive engineering dictates that size does not automatically equate to superior protection. A select group of trucks has demonstrated superior performance in crash avoidance and protection, as validated by rigorous testing from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). IIHS has recently updated its testing methodologies, leading to a more stringent standard for achieving its highest designation. For 2026, only two trucks have successfully earned the prestigious 2026 Top Safety Pick+ status, representing the absolute pinnacle of safety performance in the industry. In addition to these leaders, two other new truck models qualify for the second-tier Top Safety Pick designation, based on 2025 testing procedures. This article outlines these vehicles, along with their corresponding scores on the NHTSA five-star safety scale. 2026 Toyota Tundra TRD PRO 1 2026 Toyota Tundra In the highly competitive arena of full-size pickup trucks, the Toyota Tundra has historically been perceived as an underdog in certain aspects. It trails its primary rivals in terms of driving refinement, overall trail capability, and specific towing and hauling capacities. However, for buyers prioritizing safety assurance, the Tundra stands apart. While its competitors focus on raw power and utility, the Tundra emphasizes passenger protection, providing an unparalleled level of security for those who value safety above all else. In terms of safety features and performance, the 2026 Toyota Tundra remains a strong contender. In its Crew Cab configuration, the Tundra achieves the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation and a perfect five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. The smaller Extended Cab variant receives the top Good rating in various crashworthiness evaluations but is not currently rated by NHTSA. All powertrain variants come equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 driver-assist and active safety suite. This comprehensive package includes front automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher-end trims also add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with trailer coverage, enhancing the Tundra’s safety credentials for truck accidents and daily driving. Read Our Experts’ Full Toyota Tundra Review 006 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz challenges traditional truck definitions, but for many urban and suburban drivers, it represents the ideal blend of utility and drivability. Constructed on a unibody platform, the Santa Cruz offers the handling dynamics of a crossover while providing the practical benefits of a truck bed. This unique combination makes it a versatile companion for daily commutes, weekend adventures, and home improvement projects. In the compact truck segment, the Ford Maverick is highly popular, but the Hyundai Santa Cruz safety record significantly surpasses the Maverick’s performance in crash testing, making it a compelling choice for buyers who prioritize protection. The 2026 Santa Cruz receives the IIHS 2025 Top Safety Pick status and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Its standard safety and assist features include front automatic emergency braking, rear and side cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high-beam headlights. These features help drivers avoid collisions in parking lots and urban environments, contributing to safer pickup truck driving. Read Our Experts’ Full Hyundai Santa Cruz Review 016 2024 Tesla Cyberbeast 2026 Tesla Cybertruck The 2026 Tesla Cybertruck presents a striking, angular design with a stainless-steel exterior that challenges conventional automotive aesthetics. While its sharp edges might give the impression of vulnerability, occupants are exceptionally well-protected inside the vehicle. The Cybertruck achieves both Top Safety Pick+ status from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, proving that futuristic design does not preclude safety. This unconventional vehicle also offers practical features such as clever storage solutions, a comfortable ride, and remarkable handling, partly thanks to its advanced all-wheel steering system. Like every Tesla, the Cybertruck comes equipped with an extensive array of driver-assist and active safety features. These include front automatic emergency braking, obstacle-aware acceleration, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a rain-sensing windshield wiper (singular). Tesla’s advanced Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology is also available at an additional cost, further enhancing the vehicle’s safety capabilities. Read Our Experts’ Full Tesla Cybertruck Review 021 2025 Rivian R1T Dual 2026 Rivian R1T Combining luxurious comfort, exceptional off-road capability, and sporty performance, the 2026 Rivian R1T is a premium electric truck that appeals to discerning drivers. It also functions effectively as a pickup truck, offering lifestyle-oriented utility, innovative storage options, and strong towing capabilities. The R1T boasts impressive range and charging performance, regardless of which of its various powertrains is selected. The 2026 R1T earns Top Safety Pick status using the IIHS’ 2025 criteria. Standard active safety and driver-assist features include automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rivian continues to advance its self-driving technology, leveraging the R1T’s extensive network of cameras, sensors, and redundant controls to ensure maximum safety. Read Our Experts’ Full Rivian R1T Review Stay Ahead of the Curve. Get the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox! Ready for the ride? Enter your email By signing up, I agree to the Terms of Use (including the dispute resolution procedures) and have reviewed the Privacy Notice. Alex Leanse Alex’s earliest memory is of a teal 1993 Ford Aspire, the car that sparked his automotive obsession. He’s never driven that tiny hatchback—at six feet, 10 inches tall, he likely wouldn’t fit—but has assessed hundreds of other vehicles, sharing his insights on MotorTrend as a writer and video host. Read More Share You May Also Like The Safest Trucks for 2026: Prioritizing Protection in the Pickup Segment The automotive landscape in 2026 continues to be dominated by the full-size pickup truck segment. As consumer demand shifts toward utility, off-road capability, and advanced technology, manufacturers have responded with increasingly sophisticated vehicles. However, the foundational element that manufacturers and consumers must never overlook is safety. While many trucks are engineered with large, heavy frames that provide an inherent level of passive protection, this does not automatically equate to superior active safety performance. The latest testing methodologies from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that only a select few trucks excel in crash avoidance and crashworthiness. Understanding the distinction between size and safety is crucial for modern truck buyers. A heavy curb weight can certainly mitigate injury in a collision with a smaller vehicle, but advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), sensor fusion, and structural integrity under extreme stress are equally vital. The best pickup trucks for safety are those that combine advanced active safety features with robust passive safety engineering. This comprehensive analysis delves into the safety credentials of leading truck models available in the 2026 model year. We examine how specific vehicles perform in rigorous crash tests, evaluate the effectiveness of their standard and optional ADAS suites, and identify the top performers that offer the best protection for drivers and passengers. For those interested in the specific challenges of modern vehicle safety, exploring truck safety ratings 2026 provides invaluable insight into which manufacturers are prioritizing protection. IIHS Updates Testing Standards for 2026 The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) plays a critical role in shaping automotive safety standards through its rigorous testing procedures. For 2026, the IIHS implemented significant updates to its testing protocols, including the introduction of a new small overlap front barrier crash test designed to more accurately simulate real-world collisions involving narrow-width objects such as utility poles or trees. These updated standards have increased the difficulty for manufacturers to achieve top safety accolades. The introduction of the new IIHS small overlap front crash test has revealed vulnerabilities in vehicles that previously performed well under older testing regimes. As a result, only two trucks have earned the prestigious 2026 Top Safety Pick+ designation, the highest possible honor. 2026 Safety Pick Ratings: Key Takeaways The 2026 safety landscape in the truck segment shows a clear divide between the leading innovators and the more traditional players. While some manufacturers have successfully adapted to the stricter testing standards, others have fallen short. Understanding these differences is essential when researching why Ford F-150 isn’t top safety or why larger trucks sometimes struggle to achieve top ratings. Top Safety Pick