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Nothing is more important than the safety of those riding inside a vehicle. As a result, automakers and agencies alike do loads of testing to determine the safety of every new model. As true as this is for cars and SUVs, it’s also true for pickup trucks. You no longer need to purchase a truck and just be OK with it being unsafe. Pickups undergo as much testing as every other type of vehicle, and some are nearly as safe as the rest. However, what are the safest pickup trucks in 2022?

How are the safest pickup trucks determined?

According to HotCars, full-size, midsize, and compact trucks has to prove it is a safe vehicle. For that reason, most receive high ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The publication says many trucks have gone as far as to prove themselves as some of the safest vehicles on the market.

Here are the safest pickup trucks in 2022:

6. 2022 Honda Ridgeline: A safe midsize truck

The best new midsize trucks include this Honda Ridgeline
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline | Honda

Firstly, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline is considered one of the safest pickup trucks available today. HotCars says it has a five-star safety rating that propels it higher than some comparable models. To be more specific, it has five stars across the board but four stars for its rollover resistance test. It earned a five-star safety rating overall from the NHTSA, making it one safe midsize truck. In addition, it’s equipped with standard safety features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

5. Hyundai Santa Cruz: A safe compact truck

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz parked next to horses.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Joe Santos, MotorBiscuit

Next, one of the newest compact trucks available, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, is very safe. It’s smaller than most competitors, which might be why it excels in safety. Using an SUV or car-like frame, the Santa Cruz is far less likely to roll or have other truck-related safety issues. HC says it earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS in its first year of production. It also got the best possible “Good” rating across all crash tests. Overall, the IIHS noted it as a “Superior” model for safety.

4. GMC Sierra 1500

The 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X driving on pavement. The new 2022 Sierra 1500 pushes to new heights of luxury, technology and performance.

Getting away from midsize and compact trucks, the GMC Sierra 1500 full-size model is a force to be reckoned with. In addition, it’s one of the safest pickups available in 2022. It comes loaded with the standard GMC Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. However, the NHTSA gave it an overall four out of five stars for safety. Contrarily, non-limited models received five stars for side-impact testing and four for rollover resistance.

3. Ram 1500

A Ram 1500, comparable to the GMC Sierra 1500 alternatives available.
2022 Ram 1500 | Stellantis

Next, the fifth-generation Ram 1500 has something for everyone. It’s one of the best full-size trucks available and has the sales figures to prove it. As the only truck to challenge the Ford F-150 in many years, it’s outstanding that it’s also a safe option. Ram’s truck earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. In addition, it received “Good” ratings across the board for crashworthiness. This is the third straight model year of Ram 1500s that received the Top Safety Pick award.

2. Toyota Tundra

Promo photo of a brown Toyota Tundra hybrid pickup truck driving in front of a brick building using its nickel metal hydrid battery pack.
2022 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition | Toyota

Right above the Ram 1500 is the underrated Toyota Tundra. This model underwent some serious changes for the new model year. It was one of the first redesigned Toyota models in 2022. With all of the new features, the Tundra also received an overhaul for safety and driver assistance tech, which helped it score higher with safety testing agencies. As a result, it’s a Top Safety Pick Plus, the highest designation possible from the IIHS.

1. Ford F-150: The safest full-size truck

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