Ford F-150 Aces Crash Safety Testing
Ford's combination of steel and high-tech aluminum have created a truck which crashes better than any other.
The latest F-150 rates as plenty safe
Crash testing results are as important to truck owners and operators, as they are to passenger vehicle drivers. During the 2019 IIHS crash testing, one pick-up trumped all others. And the vehicle in question, is Ford's F-150.
Passengers are safe
One of the most important evaluations was concerning the passenger-side small-overlap front crash test. If you consider the higher median ride height of a pick-up truck, the front overlap is a peculiar scenario, as some obstacles which might crumple a passenger car, can pass under the chassis structure of a truck. The F-150 scored excellently in a the passenger side small-overlap front crash test.
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Cab remains in robust shape
With pick-up trucks, the passenger-side small-overlap front crash test can often fold the wheel in such an angle that suspension structure could pose a risk for occupants. In this post-crash image, you can clearly see that the F-150's wheel and suspension structure remains much in the same place.
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A robust cab is where it is at
The F-150's cabin structure is very robust, providing a very safe redundancy environment for passengers if they happen to encounter a crash. Even in a front impact collision, you can see how the F-150's A-pillar remains unbent.
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Many airbags make a difference
The fundamental cabin structure is one element of the F-150's outstanding crash safety rating. Another contributing factor is its array of airbags. Those curtain airbags, in particular, help protect occupants from whiplash.
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The side-on issue
Pickup trucks have traditionally not scored well in side-impact assessments. Ford's F-150 has a body made of high-strength steel and military-grade aluminum. The blend of metals ensure a very strong crash structure and even during a side impact test, the F-150 only saw 5-inches of cabin intrusion.
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Curtains matter
An image of the F-150 after its side-impact test shows how little structural deformation is caused. The cabin remains almost completely in shape. What allowed the F-150 to score better than any of its rivals are airbags which shield passengers from side-impact, where traditional seat belts have a lot less effect.
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Truck cabin components have improved - a lot
The F-150 has a very comfortable cabin with class-leading ergonomics. It is a testament to how much closer current trucks are in their cabin design, to their passenger vehicle siblings. That also means those high-quality cabin materials, which today's truck consumer demands, are less likely to shatter and splinter on impact.
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