Consumer Reports is the kind of organization that doesn’t let things slide. In a June 2021 article, it clarified that large trucks can be a danger to both other motorists and pedestrians. Their size and design can make it harder for pickup drivers to clearly see everything in front of them; their weight can make accidents more deadly. One way to mitigate this danger is with three key safety features: automatic emergency braking, city speed; automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection; and blind spot warning. These three pickup trucks do not come standard with a single one of these features. If you want a safe pickup, skip these.
The 2022 Chevy Colorado lacks three main features that make a pickup truck safe
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When shopping for a pickup truck, you probably think about safety. Still, crash test ratings are often the top priority people look for. While these are undoubtedly important, safety features should not be overlooked. Consumer Reports made a chart showing which of the top three safety features new trucks have. The 2022 Chevy Colorado lacks them all.
One of the most important safety features the 2022 Colorado lacks is automatic emergency braking, city speed. Automatic emergency braking detects a possible collision with the vehicle in front. Not only does it emit a forward collision warning, it also brakes automatically. This reduces the impact if the collision were to occur and sometimes avoids it altogether. It only works at speeds below 55 mph.
The 2022 GMC Canyon has no critical safety systems
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The 2022 GMC Canyon is a mechanical twin to the 2022 Chevy Colorado, so it’s probably no surprise that it also lacks these three important safety features. While the GMC Canyon is a sleeker, more luxurious version of the Colorado, it’s not enough for GM to have thrown in things like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection can detect when there is a pedestrian in the vehicle’s path. It then issues a warning to the truck driver. If the driver does not slow down on their own, the truck automatically brakes to try to avoid collisions. If a collision does occur, the injuries to the pedestrian will hopefully be reduced. This is especially important in pickup trucks, which are often heavy and therefore more lethal than smaller vehicles. In addition, their higher bars often cause more serious injuries to people.
The 2022 Ram 1500 Classic does not come standard with these important safety features
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Since the safety of the pickup truck is partially dependent on the safety features that it comes with, it is important that they come with important safety features. The 2022 Ram 1500 Classic offers automatic emergency braking at city speeds and with pedestrian detection and blind spot warning, but you’ll have to pay extra for it.
Blind spot warning is something people may not realize they need. It sends a visual or audible warning when there is a car in or near your blind spot. It only works when your blinkers are on and the car is in an adjacent lane. Blind spots can be dangerous, and pickup trucks often have some pretty big ones. The 2022 Ram 1500 Classic would certainly be safer if it came standard with these features. Since it doesn’t, if you’re considering buying the Ram Classic, make sure you opt for these systems.
While it’s important that pickup trucks are safe, it’s not always easy to tell which ones are. Using a source like Consumer Reports can help you sort through ratings and rankings, as well as learn more about how to protect yourself, your family, and other drivers. If you’re looking for a new pickup truck, look for one that includes all three of these important safety features.
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