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The Safest Trucks for 2026: Working Safely on the Job Site
Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevrolet Silverado are not among the top-rated trucks for safety.
By Alex Leanse
Written by Ryan Lugo
Photography by MotorTrend Staff
April 09, 2026
The inherent size and robust engineering of pickup trucks provide a certain degree of built-in safety. However, size doesn’t automatically equate to safety. Only a select few trucks achieve top safety ratings through rigorous testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
IIHS has updated its testing protocols, and only two trucks have earned the highest rating of 2026 Top Safety Pick+ with the latest standards. Additionally, two new trucks also qualify for the second-best 2025 Top Safety Pick rating based on 2025 criteria. The following list includes these trucks along with their relevant scores on the NHTSA five-star scale.
2026 Toyota Tundra TRD PRo 1
The 2026 Toyota Tundra
In the world of pickup trucks, the Toyota Tundra is considered a follower. It lags behind its competitors in terms of driving refinement, all-terrain performance, and towing/hauling capacity. However, it offers unparalleled safety reassurance compared to its main rivals in the full-size truck category. The Tundra still boasts many attractive features, including a spacious cabin, a powerful twin-turbo V-6 engine with available hybrid assistance, a configurable gauge display, and a rugged exterior design.
The Crew Cab version of the Toyota Tundra achieves an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation and a five-star overall safety rating. The smaller Extended Cab earns a top Good rating in various crashworthiness tests but is not rated by NHTSA. All Tundra models come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a suite of active safety and driver-assist features. These include front automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Higher-end Tundra trims add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with trailer coverage.
To learn more about the 2026 Toyota Tundra, read our expert review.
006 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
While some argue it isn’t a “true” pickup, the unibody-based Hyundai Santa Cruz is an excellent option for specific drivers. By combining the driving dynamics of a crossover with the utility of a bed, the Santa Cruz is the perfect companion for everyday tasks, weekend trips, and DIY projects. Within the compact truck segment, the Ford Maverick might offer more versatility, but the Santa Cruz achieves higher safety ratings.
The 2026 Santa Cruz receives the IIHS 2025 Top Safety Pick designation and a five-star overall safety rating from 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.
To learn more about the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, read our expert review.
016 2024 Tesla Cyberbeast
The 2026 Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck’s sharp-edged stainless-steel body might look intimidating, but its occupants are very safe inside. The 2026 Cybertruck earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating and a five-star overall score. This pickup is unconventional, but it features clever storage solutions, a comfortable ride, and excellent handling, partly thanks to its all-wheel steering system.
Like every Tesla, the Cybertruck is equipped with numerous driver-assist and active safety features. These include front automatic emergency braking, obstacle-aware acceleration, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a rain-sensing windshield wiper. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology is available for an additional cost.
To learn more about the 2026 Tesla Cybertruck, read our expert review.
021 2025 Rivian R1T Dual
The 2026 Rivian R1T
Combining luxurious refinement, off-road capability, and sporty performance, the Rivian R1T is an electric truck that delights drivers with its advanced technology and smooth acceleration. It also functions well as a pickup, offering lifestyle-ready utility, clever storage, and solid towing capacity. The range and charging capabilities are impressive, regardless of which powertrain is selected.
The 2026 R1T earns Top Safety Pick status using the IIHS 2025 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 enhance its self-driving technology, leveraging the R1T’s advanced cameras, sensors, and redundant control systems to ensure maximum safety.
To learn more about the 2026 Rivian R1T, read our expert review.
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Alex Leanse
Alex’s earliest memory is of a teal 1993 Ford Aspire, the car that sparked his automotive obsession. He’s never driven that tiny hatchback—at six feet, 10 inches tall, he likely wouldn’t fit—but has assessed hundreds of other vehicles, sharing his insights on MotorTrend as a writer and video host.
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