Consumer Reports is the kind of organization that doesn’t let things slide. In a June 2021 article, it made it clear that big trucks can be a danger to both other motorists and pedestrians. Their size and design can make it harder for pickup truck drivers to clearly see everything in front of them; their weight can make accidents more deadly. One way to mitigate this danger is with three important safety features: automatic emergency braking, city-speed; automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection; and blind-spot warning. These three pickup trucks don’t come standard with a single one of those features. If you want a safe pickup truck, skip these.

The 2022 Chevy Colorado lacks three major features that make a pickup truck safe

When you’re shopping for a pickup truck, you probably consider safety. Yet crash test ratings are often the highest-priority things that people look for. While those are undoubtedly important, safety features should not be overlooked. Consumer Reports made a chart showing which of the top three safety features new trucks have. The 2022 Chevy Colorado lacks all of them.

One of the most important safety features that the 2022 Colorado is lacking is automatic-emergency braking, city speed. Automatic-emergency braking detects a possible collision with vehicles ahead. Not only does it issue a forward collision warning, it also automatically brakes. This reduces the impact should the collision occur anyway, and sometimes avoids it entirely. It works only at speeds below 55 mph.

The 2022 GMC Canyon doesn’t have cruical safety systems

The 2022 GMC Canyon is a mechanical twin to the 2022 Chevy Colorado, so it’s probably no surprise that it is also lacking these three important safety features. While the GMC Canyon is a nicer, more luxurious version of the Colorado, that isn’t enough for GM to have thrown in things like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Automatic emegency braking with pedestrian detection can detect when there is a pedestrian in the way of the vehicle. It then issues a warning to the truck driver. If the driver doesn’t slow down on their own, the truck will automatically brake in order to try to avoid impact. In the event that a collision occurs anyway, the injuries to the pedestrian are hopefully lessened. This is especially important in pickup trucks, which are often heavy and therefore more deadly than smaller vehicles. In addition, their taller grille often imparts more serious injuries to people.

The 2022 Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t come standard with these important safety features

Because pickup truck safety is partly dependent on the safety features that it comes with, it’s important that they come with vital safety features. The 2022 Ram 1500 Classic does offer automatic emergency braking at city speeds and with pedestrian detection as well as blind-spot warning, but you’ll have to pay extra for it.

Blind spot warning is something that people may not realize that they need. It sends a visual or audible alert when there is a car in or near your blind spot. It only works when your turn signal is on and the car is in an adjascent lane. Blind spots can be dangerous, and pickup trucks often have some pretty major ones. The 2022 Ram 1500 Classic would certainly be safer if it came standard with these features. Since it doesn’t, if you’re considering buying the Ram Classic, make sure you opt for these systems.

While it’s important that pickup trucks be safe, it isn’t always easy to determine which ones are. Using a source like Consumer Reports can help you sort through ratings and rankings, as well as learn more about how to protect yourself, your family, and other motorists. If you’re in the market for a new pickup truck, look for one that includes all three of these vital safety features.