The current 2019 and new 2020 Chevrolet Silverado are proof that truck safety has come a long way. Innovative technology and safety have been a major focus of truck brands for years, with consumers viewing safety as a top priority and crash-test expectations higher than ever. But how safe is the Chevrolet Silverado? When stacked up against its biggest competition, does Chevrolet make the safest trucks?

Where the Chevrolet Silverado stands with safety ratings

The current 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received impressive scores in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, receiving a Good rating (the highest rating possible) in test categories like side-impact, rear crash, roof-strength, moderate overlap front, and small overlap front-driver. It also received the highest rating of Superior in front crash prevention results.

However, the 2019 Silverado received only Marginal ratings in the small overlap front passenger test and a less-impress rating of Poor for its headlights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rated the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado a perfect, five out of five in side-crash results and a good, four out of five in rollover tests and frontal crash. It has an overall safety rating of four out of five.

Though the new 2020 Silverado has received improvements, not much has changed in safety ratings. According to the NHTSA, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado has received the same crash test ratings as the 2019 model. Consumer Reports ranks the 2020 Silverado as the sixth-best pickup in the segment, partly due to its cool safety ratings and lack of advanced safety features on standard trims.

Is the Silverado safer than the competition?

When once small cars and SUVs were the safest things to drive, trucks are making a comeback in safety. Chevrolet isn’t the only automaker producing safer-than-ever trucks. When comparing 11 new pickup trucks, are Chevrolet Silverados safer than the rest? According to research done by Car and Driver, Honda is responsible for the only pickup to receive a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. But the Honda Ridgeline isn’t the only truck to ace the IIHS’ crash tests, with the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Nissan Titan each receiving perfect scores in each of the crash tests. Unfortunately, the Chevrolet Silverado didn’t join this group of perfectionists, falling in the middle of the crowd.

Both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 fell behind the top four safety picks, according to Pickup Truck Talk. Chevrolet’s Silverado was not included in the IIHS’ recommendations for safest trucks, but the Chief Research Officer claims that “As a group, however, the pickup class still has a lot of work to do.”

The safety features offered in the new Chevrolet Silverado

Advanced safety features only come standard on top-trim Silverados and include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Base model and lower-trim Silverados will need additional safety packages in order to receive a taste of safety tech. Owners can also take advantage of the Silverado’s available OnStar Safety & Security, which includes automatic crash response if you’re ever in an accident.

Consumer Reports finds the new Chevrolet Silverado’s lack of advanced safety equipment on lower-end trims disappointing, but recommend all consumers try to opt for the Silverado’s available safety package. On most trims, this safety package includes blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. You can also opt for the Safety Package II on higher trims that add in additional technology like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. With the highest-tier safety package also comes a vibrating seat that provides drivers with various vibrations to warn of various safety issues.