If you’re like many automotive enthusiasts, you might have noticed something unusual about the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2025 Top Safety Pick (TSP) and Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) list – there’s a noticeable absence of pickups. Last year, several popular pickups including the Hyundai Santa Cruz, Toyota Tacoma, Rivian R1T, Ford F-150, and Toyota Tundra earned TSP or TSP+ ratings. However, the 2025 list has dwindled to just two: the Rivian R1T and the crew cab Toyota Tundra.
The Reason Behind the Drop
According to Joe Young, IIHS spokesperson, several pickups that met the 2024 safety criteria failed to make the 2025 list due to poor performance in the updated moderate overlap crash test. This test now includes a rear seat passenger dummy simulating a ‘small woman or 12-year-old child,’ which was not previously considered. The Ford F-150, for instance, received a ‘poor’ rating because its seat belt failed to adequately restrain the occupant, resulting in what the IIHS calls ‘submarining.’ This phenomenon is dangerous as it can cause high belt forces to be applied to the occupant’s organs and spine, increasing the risk of injury.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz also missed out on the TSP rating due to similar issues, scoring only a ‘marginal’ rating on the moderate overlap test. The IIHS noted problems with the shoulder belt and the risk of head and neck injury for the rear dummy.
Not All Pickups Have Been Tested
It’s worth noting that the IIHS list is not final. Some pickups, like the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado, are still pending testing. Young explained that the IIHS continues to test vehicles throughout the year and will name additional Top Safety Picks as more results become available. The hope is that more pickups will qualify, giving consumers more safe options when considering a small or large pickup.
While the current picture may seem bleak for pickups, only time will tell how the rest of the 2025 models will fare under the new IIHS testing regimen.
