Downsizing your truck? IIHS video reveals details.

YouTube - First Time Institute Side Tests Small Pickups






With full-sized pickups taking a hosing, manufacturers may be looking towards smaller trucks to stem the bleeding. But a recent test of five compact pickups by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that they don't share the crash safety advantages of their full-sized brethren.The IIHS' first-ever side-impact test of compact pickups shows that all but the barely-compact Tacoma (which scored a "good") offer sub-standard side protection in crashes. The Dodge Dakota/Mitsubishi Raider, Nissan Frontier and Ranger/B-series earned "marginal" ratings, while the Chevy Colorado rated a dead-last "poor." The IIHS says that side-impacts are the second most common type of fatal crash, accounting for 9k deaths last year. Accordingly, the Institutes say that small pickups have the highest rates of driver deaths in accidents "of any vehicles on the road, including minicars," and that the small trucks "aren't good choices for people looking for safe transportation…until they improve." Still, some of the improvements that the IIHS recommends (stability control, side airbags) will soon become standard on some of these trucks, and optional on others. But if you think a compact pickup is any safer than say, a compact car, this might just be your wake-up call.

"The Toyota Tacoma was the exception, to this otherwise disappointing group of vehicles. Not only did it earn a good rating for frontal crash protection, but it also good a good rating in our side impact test..."

long live the Tacoma :D

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The IIHS' first-ever side-impact test of compact pickups...Ranger earned "marginal" ratings

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*note to self: no more drifting in the truck*

tacomas no longer a small truck, its a mid size atleast. test the previous gen and see what happens.

I think the Ford and GMC would be the same size or close in size to the Tacoma if the others had continued to develop their product.

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Originally Posted by Ericthejet

I think the Ford and GMC would be the same size or close in size to the Tacoma if the others had continued to develop their product.

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is that bad? are the fords/chevys supposed to be as big? the point of these trucks used to be smaller is cheaper. gas, maintenance, etc.. doesn't mean they should crash poorly but the fact that the yota test crashed better has something to do with its bigger size. i really like the new tacomas but i'd like them better if they were smaller like they used to be.

I wanted a small truck for a while until I test drove a couple... I'm super happy with my full size truck though. Obviously the downfall being mpg but I'm getting like 16mpg (mixed driving)...works out to 14c/18h or so. That can't be MUCH worse than what a 6 banger taco gets is it?

Interesting though...the gf was looking at pickin up a Colorado too haha

if you are used to driving cars with decent suspension and stiffness, it becomes immediately apparent. I had to rent a colorado once, yes it was nice (what new car isn't) but they feel sloppy on the road, like you can get the frame to twist, not just crap suspension. Usually when these reports come out they get to fixing very quickly, we shall see.

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Originally Posted by mikeb

is that bad? are the fords/chevys supposed to be as big? the point of these trucks used to be smaller is cheaper. gas, maintenance, etc.. doesn't mean they should crash poorly but the fact that the yota test crashed better has something to do with its bigger size. i really like the new tacomas but i'd like them better if they were smaller like they used to be.

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The Ford and GMC/Chevy small trucks have been the same basic vehicle for at least the last 10 years with limited development and refinement. As such they have a following like many other products on the market be it for price point, size, shape etc.

I think what the video helps point out is that the product from Toyota has evolved over the years while the other brands have more or less been left on their own. This will not help Ford/GM's desire to sell more small trucks, outdated or not.

I also think you can roll down to the local overstocked truck dealer and purchase a full size for small size price. Supersize me?