An individual puts in a lot of research when buying a pickup truck, such as its ability to transport heavy loads or ride on unpaved terrains. They may also check to see if the vehicle comes with all the latest features in the market. Another essential element that people look for in a pickup truck is safety. While there are multiple choices available, here are some of the safest pickup trucks to buy in 2023.
Ram 1500
The Ram 1500 is one of the safest pickup trucks in the market today and comes with a host of available driver-assistance technology. This includes lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking. The automobile also received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The price of the pickup truck starts from about $38,000 for the base trim. Customers could also get safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert at an additional price. Other available features include adaptive cruise control and automatic high-beam headlights. The base trim comes with a 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine with eTorque. This setup is capable of generating up to 273 lb-ft of torque and 305 horsepower. The standard engine is also capable of hauling more than 7,000 lb. of loads, which is impressive when compared to its price tag.
Jeep Gladiator
The Jeep Gladiator is one of the most impressive trucks known for its stellar towing capacity while maintaining the pickup design. The automobile starts at about $39,000 but could cross the $55,000 mark for the top variant. At that price, the base model is equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque. This setup is capable of hauling up to 4,000 pounds. On the safety front, the pickup truck comes with standard side curtain airbags on select trims for both first- and second-row passengers. Other trims come with a front-facing camera that is useful when going off-road, over rough rocky terrain. Optional features include a blind-spot monitoring system, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.
GMC Sierra 1500
The GMC Sierra 1500 has earned an impressive five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Each of the Sierra trims is equipped with standard safety essentials like blind-spot monitoring, emergency braking, and automatic high beams. One could also go for adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree view camera system with higher trims. The stellar pickup truck starts at $38,000, with a 2.7L turbo high-output engine delivering 310 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque. But one could opt for the highest variant over $82,000 for a powerful 6.2L V8 Gas engine. Also, an Enhanced 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine is available for an additional price.
Ford F-150
Ford creates some of the most reliable and desirable pickup trucks, and the F-150 is by far one of the best we’ve seen in 2023. A few noteworthy standard features of the pickup truck include a rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist, standard airbags, curve control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Other features that make the automobile safe include a perimeter theft alarm, SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System, and an SOS post-crash alert system. The vehicle has also received a five-star overall NHTSA safety rating, which ought to relieve some amount of stress when on the road. Coming to the price, the base trim of the Ford 150 starts from about $33,000, which is competitive in comparison to other pickup trucks in its segment. One could also go for the fully loaded trim of the F-150, which starts at about $76,000.
Ford Ranger
Another popular pickup truck known for maintaining its safety is the Ford Ranger. This starts at about $32,000, which is indicated for customers who desire a good pickup truck at a reasonable rate. The base model of the range comes with basic driver-assistance features, such as a forward-collision warning and an automated emergency braking system. More advanced technology comes in on the higher trims. However, these available features are still more affordable when compared to other vehicles in the segment. One could opt for the available blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert systems based on the trim they pick.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
With a starting price of about $37,000, the Chevrolet Silverado is one of the top safety picks to consider. The vehicle comes with a standard TurboMax® engine that can churn out up to 310 horsepower and about 430 lb.-ft. of torque, which is sufficient power to go the extra mile and haul significant loads. However, the key aspect in focus here is its safe structure, which earned a 5-star overall rating by the NHTSA. A few notable standard safety elements on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are the forward collision warning and automated emergency braking system, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross-traffic alert are also standard on the pickup truck.
Honda Ridgeline
Starting at $39,000, the Honda Ridgeline is yet another pickup truck that is also safer in the city and on the highway. It performs well in NHTSA safety testing, with a five-star overall rating, and also received good ratings by the IIHS in most safety evaluations. What makes it worth the price on the safety front are the standard features like automatic emergency braking, automatic headlights, and lane-keeping assist. One could also consider going with the automatic high beams on offer for better visibility on the road. Apart from safety, the vehicle comes with a comfortable driving experience, with a spacious cabin and weatherproof below-the-bed cargo box.
