Commercial Vehicle Safety Evaluation Highlights Key Gaps in Heavy-Duty Pickups and Vans

Commercial vehicle safety is gaining greater attention as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) expands its testing beyond passenger vehicles. On June 9, IIHS released results from its first assessment of commercial vehicles, covering six cargo vans and three heavy-duty Class 3 pickups with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) ranging from 10,001 to 14,000 pounds. The organization also announced plans to evaluate larger Class 4-6 trucks in future studies, covering vehicles with GVWRs between 14,001 and 26,000 pounds. These assessments aim to provide buyers with clearer safety insights in an area where regulatory requirements remain limited.

Unlike passenger vehicles, many government safety standards do not extend to commercial vehicles. Areas such as headlights, airbags, automatic emergency braking (AEB), and other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) often fall outside mandatory regulations. As a result, IIHS is seeking to bridge this gap by helping fleet operators and buyers identify vehicles equipped with essential safety technologies that improve driver protection and road safety outcomes.

Heavy-Duty Pickups Included in the Evaluation

The Class 3 pickup assessment covered three widely used heavy-duty models. These included the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD crew cab 4WD with a regular bed, the Ford F350 SuperCrew Cab 4WD with a regular bed, and the Ram 3500 4WD with a regular bed. These vehicles are commonly deployed in commercial operations where durability and payload capacity are critical, making driver safety features particularly important.

Cargo Vans Evaluated by IIHS

The cargo van segment included the Chevrolet BrightDrop 400, Ram ProMaster 2500, Ford Transit T250, Mercedes Sprinter 2500, Rivian Delivery 500, and Chevrolet Express 2500. These vehicles serve delivery fleets, logistics operators, and commercial businesses where drivers spend extended periods behind the wheel, increasing the significance of effective occupant protection systems.

Commercial Vehicle Driver Protection Results

Among the nine vehicles assessed, only four were found to possess the suite of safety features considered essential by IIHS. These features include standard front and side airbags, advanced seat belt technologies, and effective seat belt reminder systems. IIHS plans additional evaluations in the coming months to examine capabilities that protect other road users, including automatic emergency braking performance and headlight effectiveness.

Pickup Truck Safety Findings

Of the three heavy-duty pickups tested, the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD and Ford F350 SuperCrew met IIHS expectations for driver protection. The Ram 3500 included airbags and important seat belt technologies but did not provide an effective seat belt reminder system, preventing it from achieving the same level of safety recognition.

Cargo Van Safety Findings

The Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 and Ram ProMaster 2500 successfully met essential driver protection criteria. However, the Ford Transit T250, Mercedes Sprinter 2500, Rivian Delivery 500, and Chevrolet Express 2500 lacked effective seat belt reminders. In addition, the Chevrolet Express 2500 was found to be missing standard force limiters, further affecting its driver protection performance.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Assessment Summary

The inaugural IIHS commercial vehicle evaluation highlights the uneven adoption of safety technologies across heavy-duty pickups and cargo vans. As commercial fleets continue expanding and safety expectations rise, features such as airbags, seat belt systems, AEB, and advanced driver assistance technologies are likely to play a greater role in vehicle selection and future regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is IIHS evaluating commercial vehicles separately from passenger vehicles?
Commercial vehicles are often exempt from several safety regulations that apply to passenger cars, creating significant differences in occupant protection standards. IIHS launched these evaluations to provide fleet operators and buyers with independent safety information. The assessments focus on critical features such as airbags, seat belt technologies, reminders, headlights, and advanced driver assistance systems. By identifying vehicles with stronger safety performance, IIHS aims to encourage wider adoption of protective technologies and improve safety outcomes for both drivers and other road users.