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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
Writer
By Ryan Lugo
Illustration By
By MotorTrend Staff
Photographer
April 09, 2026
While the pickup truck remains a paragon of capability and utility on American roadways, that attribute alone doesn’t equate to safety. Not every vehicle in the full-size or compact truck class performs equally when tested by the most stringent evaluation bodies in the automotive industry. For the 2026 model year, the safest trucks are specifically identified by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The IIHS has recently updated its testing methodologies, and as of 2026, only two pickup models have attained the esteemed Top Safety Pick+ designation—the pinnacle of crashworthiness and crash avoidance technology. Meanwhile, two additional contenders have earned the Top Safety Pick award, based on the 2025 testing criteria. This article will explore these models, their performances, and the advanced safety features that position them at the forefront of truck protection for 2026.
2026 Toyota Tundra TRD PRo
2026 Toyota Tundra
In the context of full-size pickup trucks, the Toyota Tundra sometimes lags behind segment leaders in terms of driving refinement, off-road capabilities, and overall towing and hauling capacity. Nevertheless, it distinguishes itself through unparalleled safety assurance, a significant selling point for many buyers. The 2026 Tundra remains a compelling option, boasting a spacious interior, a robust twin-turbo V-6 engine with optional hybrid assistance, a configurable gauge cluster, and a rugged exterior aesthetic that appeals to truck enthusiasts.
The Crew Cab configuration of the Toyota Tundra achieves an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation and earns a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. The smaller Extended Cab variant receives a top score in various crashworthiness assessments but has not been evaluated by NHTSA. All Tundra models come equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite of driver-assist and active safety features. This includes adaptive cruise control, front automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, road sign recognition, and automatic high-beams. For higher trims, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with trailer coverage are standard offerings. For drivers seeking Toyota truck safety that exceeds the industry standard without compromising on capability, the 2026 Tundra stands out.
Read Our Experts’ Full Toyota Tundra Review
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Although some debate whether it qualifies as a “traditional” pickup, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, built on a unibody platform, is an excellent choice for a specific segment of drivers. Its combination of crossover-like driving dynamics and the utility of a cargo bed makes it a versatile vehicle for daily commutes, weekend excursions, and DIY projects. While the Ford Maverick often outpaces it in the compact pickup category, the Santa Cruz achieves superior safety ratings.
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz receives the IIHS 2025 Top Safety Pick status and achieves a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety and assist features include front automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear and side cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, and automatic high-beams. For consumers prioritizing compact truck safety without sacrificing style and usability, the Santa Cruz delivers both. It’s a testament to modern automotive engineering where versatility and safety are not mutually exclusive.
Read Our Experts’ Full Hyundai Santa Cruz Review
2024 Tesla Cyberbeast
2026 Tesla Cybertruck
With its striking angular design and stainless-steel body, the Tesla Cybertruck might seem intimidating, but occupants are exceptionally protected inside its cabin. The 2026 Cybertruck earns both the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety score from NHTSA. This vehicle is highly unconventional, featuring clever storage solutions, a comfortable ride, and remarkable handling, partially due to its all-wheel steering system. It sets a new benchmark for electric truck safety.
Like all Tesla vehicles, the Cybertruck is equipped with a suite of advanced driver-assist and active safety features. These include obstacle-aware acceleration, front automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and a rain-sensing windshield wiper (singular). Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology is also available as an option, providing even greater levels of autonomous functionality. This commitment to safety and technology makes the Cybertruck a leading all-electric truck option for discerning buyers.
Read Our Experts’ Full Tesla Cybertruck Review
2025 Rivian R1T Dual
2026 Rivian R1T
Combining luxurious refinement, off-road prowess, and sporty performance, the Rivian R1T is an electric truck designed to impress drivers across various lifestyles. It also functions exceptionally well as a pickup, offering lifestyle-oriented utility, clever storage solutions, and robust towing capabilities. Range and charging infrastructure remain strong, regardless of which of its several powertrain options is chosen. The R1T continues to lead the way in electric pickup safety.
The 2026 Rivian R1T earns Top Safety Pick status using the IIHS’ 2025 criteria. Standard active safety and driver-assist features include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and automatic high-beams. Rivian continues to advance its self-driving technology, leveraging the R1T’s extensive array of cameras, sensors, and redundant controls to ensure maximum safety. As one of the premier luxury electric trucks, the R1T offers a unique blend of performance, sustainability, and safety.
Read Our Experts’ Full Rivian R1T Review
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Toyota Tundra safety scores (Search for specific performance data)
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Hyundai Santa Cruz NHTSA rating (Consumer research for compact options)
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Ford Maverick alternatives (Competitor research for safety-focused buyers)
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Safety Testing and Criteria Update (2026)
The landscape of pickup truck safety evaluation has evolved significantly to align with the increasingly demanding standards for crash avoidance and protection. For the 2026 model year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) updated its testing protocols to reflect real-world accident scenarios and emerging technologies.
IIHS Modernized Testing Protocols
The IIHS has consistently been at the forefront of automotive safety assessment, and the 2026 updates reflect a move toward more comprehensive testing that evaluates not just crashworthiness but also the efficacy of driver-assist systems. This evolution is crucial because the most effective crash is the one that never happens.
Key Changes to IIHS Criteria:
Enhanced Crash Avoidance Testing:
The IIHS has introduced more rigorous standards for crash avoidance technologies such as front automatic emergency braking (AEB) and collision warning systems. The testing involves multiple scenarios, including:
Intersection Testing: Vehicles are evaluated for their ability to detect and avoid pedestrians or other vehicles in intersections, a scenario that has become increasingly complex with the rise of pedestrian traffic in urban areas. This reflects the “right turn on red” accident trends and driver distraction concerns.
Rear AEB: Testing now includes situations involving backing up and detection of cyclists or pedestrians behind the truck, addressing blind spots that often occur when parking or reversing.
Cyclist Detection: The criteria now place a greater emphasis on how well a vehicle’s systems can detect and respond to cyclists, given the increasing popularity of cycling for commuting and recreation.
Head Restraint Assessment:
While frontal and side-impact testing receives much attention, the IIHS continues to emphasize rear-end crash protection, which is critical for pickup truck occupants. The assessment of head restraints has been strengthened to ensure they adequately prevent whiplash injury during a rear-end collision.
Headlight Ratings Update:
Effective in 2026, the IIHS has stricter requirements for headlight performance. Headlights are evaluated in low-speed, medium-speed, and high-speed driving scenarios to ensure drivers have optimal visibility, regardless of the road conditions or speed. This includes testing in curves to ensure the system illuminates the path ahead as the truck turns.
Updated Crashworthiness Measurements:
The evaluation of crashworthiness has also been updated, with a stronger focus on specific injury metrics for the front and rear passengers. This ensures that the truck’s structure adequately
