Rivian R1T Safety Features
The Rivian R1T flips the script on typical pickup trucks. Its electric heart gives it a low center of gravity, keeping it planted like a stubborn cactus. The R1T boasts a 2024 Top Safety Pick+ badge, holding the IIHS crown for three years running. It scored an “A” for driver leg and foot protection in crashes, with room for improvement.
The truck’s Driver+ safety suite includes:
- Lane keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- 360-degree camera
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Trailer reversing assistance
On the road, the R1T’s electric powertrain exhibits more composure than a Zen master. It’s tough, smart, and certified gold by safety agencies. This truck keeps both passengers and pedestrians safe, making it the kind that might even get a gold star from grandma.
Toyota Tundra Safety Analysis
The Toyota Tundra roars through the streets like a Samurai in a steel kimono. It nabbed Top Safety Pick+ in 2022 and 2023 but lost the “+” for 2024. Why? It stumbled on the new “updated moderate overlap front test” like a jouster losing grip mid-charge.
Still, the Tundra ranks “Good” in most crashworthiness tests, with some room for improvement in driver’s legroom and rear passenger resilience. Its Toyota Safety Sense tech suite includes:
- Automated emergency braking
- Lane keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control
The headlight debate is a mixed bag. Basic headlights wear the “Acceptable” badge, while upgraded ones beam brightly with a “Good” accolade. Despite its safety accolades, the Tundra’s rear seat crash test restraint rating is “Poor” – a weak spot Toyota might want to address.

In the end, the Tundra stands tall, combining old-school might with modern-day wisdom. It’s revving to forge ahead with the strength of a mechanical ronin wandering the roads.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Safety Overview
The Hyundai Santa Cruz punches above its weight in safety, snagging a Top Safety Pick status for 2024 from IIHS. This compact truck-SUV hybrid scored “Good” in every crash-test category, bouncing away from collisions like a seasoned roller derby skater.
Its headlights got a makeover, with every trim now sporting Good-rated full LED bulbs. The Santa Cruz’s safety tech includes:
- Front automatic emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane keep assist
For 2024, it adds haptic feedback alerts, proving it can walk the safety talk and nudge you if your attention drifts.
NHTSA bestowed its golden stars too, with top scores for head-on collisions and four stars for body roll balance. Optional safety gadgetry allows tech-heads to go full-throttle or keep it simple.
The Santa Cruz isn’t just reimagining what a mini-truck can do; it’s breaking barriers safer than a padded room. It’s a wild and safe ride that’s vibrant, tech-savvy, and made for adventure.
Ford F-150 Safety Performance
The 2024 Ford F-150 struts its stuff with a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. But IIHS offers a mixed bag: while most crashworthiness tests earned shiny “Good” scores, the updated moderate overlap front test was its Achilles’ heel, scoring “Poor.”
Don’t let that dampen your spirits, though. The F-150 packs a punch with its driver assists:
- Front automatic emergency braking
- Lane keep assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
For the tech-savvy, there’s Ford’s BlueCruise – a harmonized dance of adaptive cruise control and lane keep logic for hands-free driving when conditions allow.
Optional features include side cross-traffic alerts and a 360-degree camera, turning this truck into a rolling fortress. While seat belt reminders might lag a bit, the F-150 remains a mechanical symphony of strength and smarts, evolving with every mile like a fine wine.
Ram 1500 Safety Features
The Ram 1500 rolls into our safety evaluation like a linebacker with brains. It boasts a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA for the Crew Cab, while the Extended Cab clocks in at four stars.
IIHS evaluations show the Ram 1500 maneuvering most tests like a chess champion, earning solid “Good” scores in three crash tests. However, it stumbled in the updated moderate overlap front test with a “Poor” rating.

Depending on the trim, the Ram 1500 offers configurable headlights ranging from “Good” to “Marginal.” Its safety suite includes:
- Front automatic emergency braking
- Lane keep assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
Higher trims unlock more goodies like adaptive cruise control.
The Ram 1500 is a mechanical centaur proudly racing on black pavement fields, loyal in safety and vigilant in attire. It’s a beloved road-ready renegade marching with both gusto and grace, ready for continued evolution in the safety arena.
These trucks don’t just promise safety; they deliver it with a blend of technology and resilience that keeps you secure on every adventure. Whether you’re behind the wheel of a Rivian, Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, or Ram, you’re riding with the heart of safety beating strong.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Top Safety Pick Ratings.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Vehicle Safety Ratings.
- Motor Trend. Truck of the Year Awards.
- J.D. Power. Highest Satisfaction Awards.
- Car and Driver. 10 Best List.
