Parte 2 : N1408020_Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first-ever visit to the disputed Kuril Islands (specifical_part2

The Safest Trucks for 2026: Work Hard, Stay Safe Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevrolet Silverado don’t qualify. By Alex Leanse (Writer), Ryan Lugo (Illustration), and MotorTrend Staff (Photographer) Published: April 09, 2026 Many pickup trucks are engineered to be robust, heavy, and powerful, offering a certain degree of inherent safety due to their sheer size and build. However, this does not automatically translate to every truck being inherently safe. A select few stand out for superior crash avoidance and protection, as validated by rigorous testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2026, the IIHS has updated its testing methodologies, which has resulted in only two trucks earning the prestigious 2026 Top Safety Pick+ designation, the highest possible rating. Additionally, two other new models still qualify for the second-best Top Safety Pick award, utilizing the 2025 testing criteria. This article lists these vehicles, alongside their performance scores on the NHTSA five-star scale. 2026 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro The 2026 Toyota Tundra remains somewhat of an underdog in terms of traditional truck performance, trailing its competitors in driving refinement, all-terrain capability, and overall towing and hauling capacity. Nevertheless, none of its main full-size truck rivals can match its level of safety assurance. The Tundra continues to offer compelling features such as a spacious cabin, a robust twin-turbo V-6 engine with available hybrid assistance, a reconfigurable gauge display, and a sturdy exterior design. In the Crew Cab configuration, the Toyota Tundra achieves the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation and a five-star overall safety score. The smaller Extended Cab earns the top Good rating in various crashworthiness tests but has not been rated by the NHTSA. All models are equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a suite of driver-assist and active safety features that includes front automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and automatic high-beams. Higher-end Tundra trims also feature blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with trailer support. 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT Some argue that the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz isn’t a “true” pickup truck. However, this unibody-based vehicle may be the ideal choice for certain drivers. By blending crossover driving dynamics with the utility of a truck bed, the Santa Cruz serves as an excellent companion for daily commuting, weekend adventures, and home improvement projects. While the 2026 Ford Maverick often outperforms it in the compact truck segment, it doesn’t achieve the same high safety ratings as the Santa Cruz. The 2026 Santa Cruz receives the IIHS 2025 Top Safety Pick status and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Its standard safety and assist features include front automatic emergency braking, rear and side cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high-beams. The Santa Cruz provides a compelling package of utility, modern technology, and top-tier safety performance, positioning itself as a strong contender in the growing compact truck market. 2026 Tesla Cybertruck With its distinctively sharp-edged stainless-steel body, the 2026 Tesla Cybertruck might seem imposing. However, occupants are remarkably safe inside, as the 2026 Cybertruck earns both Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall safety rating. This vehicle is undoubtedly unconventional, but it offers clever storage solutions, a comfortable ride, and excellent handling, partially thanks to its all-wheel steering system. Like every Tesla model, the Cybertruck is equipped with a comprehensive array of driver-assist and active safety features, such as front automatic emergency braking, obstacle-aware acceleration, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a unique rain-sensing windshield wiper system. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology is available as an optional upgrade for those seeking the latest in autonomous driving capabilities. 2026 Rivian R1T Dual Combining luxury refinement, off-road capability, and sporty performance, the 2026 Rivian R1T is an electric truck designed to impress. Furthermore, it functions exceptionally well as a pickup, offering lifestyle-ready utility, smart storage solutions, and robust towing capabilities. Its driving range and charging performance are also quite impressive, irrespective of which of its multiple powertrain configurations is selected. The 2026 R1T earns Top Safety Pick status based on the IIHS’ 2025 testing criteria. Standard active safety and driver-assist features include automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beams. Rivian continues to advance its self-driving technology, leveraging the R1T’s numerous cameras, sensors, and redundant controls to ensure maximum safety. The Rivian R1T price continues to be competitive, especially when considering its luxury features and advanced technology. Why These Trucks Earn Top Safety Scores The safety evaluations conducted by the IIHS and NHTSA follow strict methodologies that assess both crashworthiness and crash avoidance capabilities. IIHS Crashworthiness Testing The IIHS employs a rigorous set of crash tests designed to simulate real-world accident scenarios. These tests include: Small Overlap Frontal Crash Tests: This test simulates a collision between the left front of a vehicle and a fixed barrier at 40 mph, representing about 25% of the front of the vehicle. Moderate Overlap Frontal Crash Tests: This test measures the performance of a vehicle in a head-on collision with an deformable barrier at 40 mph, covering about 40% of the front. Side Impact Tests: This test evaluates how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a collision with a barrier simulating a perpendicular impact. Roof Strength Tests: This test determines the load a roof can withstand before collapsing, a crucial factor in rollovers. Head Restraint Tests: These tests assess how effective head restraints are in preventing whiplash during rear-end collisions. For a vehicle to achieve Top Safety Pick+ status, it must earn a Good rating in all six crashworthiness tests. This benchmark ensures comprehensive protection across various types of collisions. NHTSA Five-Star Safety Ratings The NHTSA assigns ratings on a five-star scale to vehicles, ranging from one to five stars, with five stars representing the highest level of safety. The NHTSA evaluates vehicles in five critical areas: Frontal Crash: Measures the risk of head and chest injury in head-on collisions. Side Crash: Assesses the risk of injury to the torso and pelvis in side impacts. Rollover: Evaluates the likelihood of a vehicle tipping over in a crash. To achieve a five-star overall rating, a vehicle must pass these tests and meet stringent performance standards. The combination of top scores from both agencies provides consumers with a comprehensive understanding of a vehicle’s safety performance. Crash Avoidance and Mitigation Systems Beyond structural integrity, modern vehicles rely on advanced crash avoidance systems to prevent accidents from occurring. These technologies are a critical component of overall safety and play a vital role in the IIHS and NHTSA evaluations. Front Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Front automatic emergency braking (AEB) is a safety technology that utilizes sensors and cameras to detect potential collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists. If the driver fails to react in time, the system can automatically apply the brakes to prevent or mitigate the impact. The Hyundai Santa Cruz price includes this essential safety feature, which is standard across all trims, providing a significant safety advantage for everyday driving. Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) Lane keeping assist (LKA) systems monitor the vehicle’s position within its lane and provide steering assistance if the vehicle begins to drift. This feature is particularly useful on highways and long trips, helping to prevent lane departure accidents caused by driver fatigue or distraction. The Toyota Tundra price includes this system, ensuring a greater margin of safety during extended drives. Blind-Spot Monitoring Blind-spot monitoring systems use radar sensors to detect vehicles in the driver’s blind spots and alert the driver with visual or audible indicators. This feature is essential for safe lane changes, especially in heavy traffic. Many trucks, including the Tesla Cybertruck, come standard with this technology, which can be crucial in preventing side-swipe accidents. Adaptive Cruise Control Adaptive cruise control (ACC) allows the driver to set a desired speed, and the system will automatically maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. If traffic slows down, the ACC will reduce speed, and if traffic speeds up, the ACC will accelerate to the set speed. This feature enhances comfort and safety during highway driving, reducing driver fatigue and stress. Pedestrian Detection Some advanced safety systems also feature pedestrian detection capabilities, which use cameras and sensors to identify pedestrians in the vehicle’s path. If a collision risk is detected, the system can automatically apply the brakes to avoid or minimize impact with the pedestrian. The Rivian R1T price includes this advanced feature, ensuring added protection for vulnerable road users. Why These Trucks Outperform Competitors