The 2019 Ram 1500 pickup has improved its crash scores over last year’s thanks to better roof and front impact protection.
Every car wants to be safe. Besides cutting down on possible recall and lawsuit costs, safe cars are a selling feature for many families. Pickup trucks don’t usually rate too highly despite their rugged designs, but they are getting better.
Case in point, the 2019 Ram 1500 Crew Cab. According to a recent press release from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the most recent Ram 1500 model has earned a “good” rating in all 6 crash categories, representing a modest improvement over last year’s version.
The new rating only applies to the Ram 1500 Crew Cab as that was the truck tested. For the front overlap test, side impact test, and the head restraint and seat test, the 2018 Ram 1500 Crew Cab received “good” ratings overall. The 2019 model also receives the same ratings, but improves upon the roof strength test which rated last year’s model as strictly “marginal.”
In order to test roof strength, the IIHS places a metal plate against one side and passes it in at a slow, constant speed. It’s sort of like if you were buffing out a dent and then just went way too far in the opposite direction.
RELATED: REVIEW - RAM 1500 LIMITED - THE LUXURY PICKUP REDEFINED
Most cars earn a “good” rating in this test, which surprised the IIHS when the Ram 1500 earned a “marginal.” Bringing the current Ram 1500 up to “good” helps boost the pickup’s overall crash rating.
The 2019 Ram 1500 Crew Cab also earned a “good” rating in the driver and passenger-side small overlap tests, which simulates if the truck crashed into something at 40 mph but only with the front corners. The passenger-side small overlap wasn’t tested last year, but the driver’s side was tested and has improved to “good” from “marginal.”
However, the Ram 1500 still didn’t earn the coveted “Top Safety Pick” award as its best available headlights only received a “marginal” rating. To be considered a Top Safety Pick, the headlights must receive an “acceptable” or “good” rating.
Of the current generation of pickups, so far only the Honda Ridgeline has earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.