Large utes are in the safety spot light after concerns grow about their impact in crashes.
Leading safety authority ANCAP SAFETY has assessed how the big vehicles road users by testing the crash avoidance technology fitted in these vehicles.
Multiple tests in the US have identified their impact on vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians, figures that continue to climb in the annual road toll.
But ANCAP’s approach is to assess whether their technology is avoiding collisions in the first place.
Community Concern
“Larger vehicles pose a bigger threat to other road users than passenger cars. The best way to reduce the potential risk of fatalities and serious injuries from large vehicles is to make sure they do the best possible job at avoiding a crash,” ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg says.
“This first-look comparison establishes a benchmark in safety for the large pickups cohort and provides a path forward for manufacturers of these vehicles in creating better outcomes for road users.
“There is community concern over the size of pickups when they are driving in suburban streets, around schools, and in built-up areas.
“We have applied international best practice in safety testing to this segment to make sure there is an incentive for manufacturers to improve crash avoidance technology.”
“Performance did vary but these results show there is a strong base to build from, and clear opportunity to achieve the performance levels seen in passenger vehicles.”
ANCAP has set a high standard for this program – well above regulation – and these vehicles have proven themselves with a high degree of advanced safety technology on board.
The inaugural Large Utilities ADAS Safety Comparison includes the current Chevrolet Silverado 1500, RAM 1500, Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series and Toyota Tundra – and an updated version of the Ford F-150.
These initial comparisons will be used to inform the development of a framework and roadmap for future testing and assessment, and additional safety information is expected to be available for a broader range of large pickup models/variants from 2026.
Future phases could potentially extend into physical crash protection, ensuring the full picture of both crash avoidance and crash protection.
The results
The updated Ford F-150 achieved the highest score (81%) and a Platinum safety grading. The RAM 1500 70% and a Gold safety grading. The two Toyota models, LandCruiser 79 Series and Tundra, each provided a reasonable level of performance achieving Silver. Notably, Toyota’s enduring workhorse model – the LC79 – outshone its Tundra stablemate with scores of 55% and 50% respectively.
ANCAP found the Chevrolet Silverado offers a narrower range of crash avoidance performance, resulting in a safety grading of Bronze (27%).