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The Safest Trucks for 2026: Work Hard, Stay Safe
Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevrolet Silverado don’t qualify.
By Alex Leanse and Ryan Lugo, with contributions from the MotorTrend Staff
April 09, 2026
For over a decade, I’ve worked in this automotive space, and one truth remains consistent: when it comes to pickup trucks, bigger isn’t always better when safety is the priority. Many shoppers assume that sheer mass equals superior protection, but as anyone who has tested these vehicles knows, it’s a lot more nuanced than that. You can build a truck that’s a tank in a collision but is virtually impossible to park or maneuver without incident.
As the automotive landscape evolves, so do the standards for what makes a truck safe. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are constantly raising the bar. They’ve refined their crash testing, tightened their criteria for driver-assist technologies, and introduced more stringent pedestrian protection requirements. This means the “safest trucks” list from last year might not hold up today.
For 2026, the testing standards have become significantly stricter, particularly with the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards. This accolade represents the pinnacle of vehicle safety, evaluated through rigorous crashworthiness and crash avoidance testing. However, it’s also become much harder to achieve. The good news is that while the Top Safety Pick+ designation is increasingly exclusive, there are still outstanding options available that meet the current safety benchmarks.
When we look at this year’s landscape, we see a clear divergence. Some of the perennial favorites, vehicles that have long dominated the sales charts, just don’t cut it in the safety department anymore. If you’re in the market for a new pickup truck in 2026, you need to look beyond the brand loyalty and the marketing hype. You need to focus on what the experts are saying about real-world safety performance.
Based on recent crashworthiness and driver-assist technology testing from both IIHS and NHTSA, only a select few pickups stand out as the safest choices. I’ve compiled the most up-to-date information to help you make an informed decision. We’ll look at which trucks earned the coveted Top Safety Pick+ rating and which secured the highly respectable Top Safety Pick designation, along with their corresponding NHTSA five-star safety scores.
Toyota Tundra
In the world of full-size pickup trucks, the Toyota Tundra has always been something of a specialist. It doesn’t always lead the pack in terms of driving refinement, on-road handling, or sheer utility. If you’re looking for the best towing truck with maximum payload capacity, the Tundra often trails behind heavy-hitters like the Ford F-150 or Ram 1500. However, there’s one area where the Tundra consistently excels: safety.
When it comes to safety scores and driver-assist features, the Tundra is in a class of its own. Even though its rivals may have higher overall capability, they often fall short when put through the most stringent safety tests. The Tundra, on the other hand, provides a significant safety advantage that’s hard to ignore. This isn’t just a theoretical benefit; it’s backed by concrete data from independent testing organizations.
The 2026 Tundra earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, and it also received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. This combination of scores is difficult to achieve and signifies a high level of protection for occupants in the event of a crash. For drivers who prioritize safety above all else, the Tundra stands out as a reliable option. It’s one of the safest trucks available on the market today, offering peace of mind in addition to its everyday utility.
But the Tundra isn’t just about crash protection. Toyota has equipped the truck with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies that further enhance safety on the road. This suite, called Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, is standard across all Tundra models. It includes a range of features designed to help drivers avoid collisions, maintain lane positioning, and adapt to changing traffic conditions.
Key safety features of the Toyota Tundra include:
Front Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): This system uses sensors and cameras to detect potential frontal collisions and automatically applies the brakes if the driver fails to respond in time.
Lane Keep Assist: The system helps keep the truck centered in its lane by providing gentle steering inputs if the driver drifts.
Adaptive Cruise Control: This intelligent system automatically adjusts the truck’s speed to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Road Sign Recognition: The Tundra can recognize and display speed limit signs, helping drivers stay informed about current road regulations.
Automatic High-Beams: This feature automatically switches between high and low beams to optimize visibility without blinding oncoming drivers.
On higher trim levels, the Tundra adds further safety enhancements, such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. These features are particularly useful when towing, providing additional awareness around the trailer.
While the Tundra may not be the top performer in terms of performance or towing, it is one of the safest trucks you can buy in 2026. For drivers who want to stay safe without compromising on capability, the Toyota Tundra is a compelling choice. It offers a rare combination of safety, utility, and reliability, making it one of the best trucks for 2026.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
When it comes to pickup trucks, there’s always a debate about what qualifies as a “real” truck. Many purists argue that a true truck should be body-on-frame, but the modern landscape offers a wider spectrum of options. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a prime example of a vehicle that defies traditional definitions while still providing the functionality that many buyers are looking for. It’s built on a unibody platform, similar to a crossover, which gives it car-like driving dynamics.
This design choice makes the Santa Cruz incredibly nimble, comfortable to drive on a daily basis, and easy to maneuver in urban environments. For drivers who spend a lot of time on pavement, city commuting, and weekend errands, this difference is significant. However, the Santa Cruz also offers the versatility of a pickup bed, providing space for bikes, camping gear, and DIY home projects.
In the compact truck segment, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is a standout performer, particularly when it comes to safety. Compared to other small trucks on the market, like the Ford Maverick, the Santa Cruz consistently earns higher safety scores. This makes it a compelling choice for buyers who want the utility of a pickup without sacrificing the refined driving experience of a crossover.
For 2026, the Santa Cruz earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, using 2025 criteria. This means the vehicle has performed exceptionally well in crashworthiness tests and has passed strict criteria for driver-assist technologies. Additionally, the Santa Cruz received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, which is the highest possible rating. This combination of scores makes it one of the safest trucks in its category.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz comes standard with a comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assist features that enhance protection and awareness on the road. These features are designed to help drivers avoid collisions, stay within their lane, and be alerted to potential hazards.
Key safety features of the Hyundai Santa Cruz include:
Front Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): This system automatically applies the brakes if a potential frontal collision is detected and the driver doesn’t react.
Rear and Side Cross-Traffic Alert: These systems provide alerts when vehicles are approaching from the rear or sides, which is especially useful when backing out of parking spots or maneuvering in tight spaces.
Lane Keep Assist: The system helps keep the truck centered in its lane by providing gentle steering inputs.
Blind-Spot Monitoring: This feature alerts the driver to vehicles in their blind spots, reducing the risk of lane change accidents.
Automatic High-Beams: The system automatically switches between high and low beams to optimize visibility at night.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a unique blend of crossover comfort and pickup utility, combined with top-tier safety performance. For drivers who prioritize safety and want a truck that’s easy to drive and navigate in the city, the Santa Cruz is a fantastic choice. It’s one of the best trucks for 2026, proving that a truck doesn’t need to be big or heavy to be safe and reliable.
Tesla Cybertruck
When it comes to pickup trucks, few vehicles are as polarizing as the Tesla Cybertruck. Its sharp-edged, stainless-steel body turns heads everywhere it goes, and the vehicle’s futuristic design challenges the traditional notion of what a pickup truck should look like. Some people love its unconventional aesthetic, while others find it too unusual. However, one thing is undeniable: the 2026 Cybertruck is incredibly safe.
If you’re looking for a truck that offers top-tier protection, the Cybertruck is a clear winner. Tesla has engineered the Cybertruck with a strong, rigid body structure that provides excellent crash protection. The use of stainless steel not only gives the truck its unique look but also contributes to its structural integrity.
For 2026, the Cybertruck earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation, which is the highest possible safety rating from the organization. This means the Cybertruck has performed exceptionally well in crashworthiness tests, demonstrated superior protection in frontal, side, and roof strength tests, and met the strictest criteria for driver-assist technologies. It also received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, making it one
