Ford has added optional superior-rated front crash prevention to its iconic F-150, helping the large pickup qualify for a safety award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
To earn the 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK award, a vehicle must have good ratings in five IIHS crashworthiness tests — driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints — and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.
Both the crew cab and the extended cab versions of the F-150 meet those criteria when equipped with optional front crash prevention. The F-150 avoided collisions in IIHS track tests at 12 mph and 25 mph. It also has a forward collision warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.
The F-150’s headlights fall short of the acceptable or good rating needed to qualify for the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. All the available headlights on the F-150 are rated poor. The base halogen headlights have inadequate visibility in all scenarios. The optional LED headlights provide somewhat better visibility, but the low beams create excessive glare for oncoming drivers.
