When it comes to safety, most folks typically believe that larger vehicles are safer than smaller ones. However, smaller vehicles are often better suited at avoiding an accident altogether, due to better handling characteristics and lighter weight resulting in shorter braking distances. With that in mind, it appears as though some GM trucks are generally less safe than others.
According to a study from Consumer Reports, some vehicles can be considered less safe than other products due to their lack of accident avoidance technologies and roadholding abilities in emergency situations. In fact, the Chevy Silverado 1500, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, and GMC Yukon all received critiques related to low scores in CR’s braking and emergency handling tests.
2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2024 GMC Sierra 1500:
- Emergency handling score – 3 / 5
- Avoidance maneuver, max speed – 50 mph
- Emergency braking score – 3 / 5
- 60-0 braking test – 136 feet
2024 Chevy Tahoe and 2024 GMC Yukon:
- Emergency handling score – 3 / 5
- Avoidance maneuver, max speed – 49 mph
- Emergency braking score – 2 / 5
- 60-0 braking test – 145 feet
In reference to some GM trucks competitors, the 2024 Ford F-150 and 2024 Ford Expedition each boast worse emergency handling and braking scores, yet both failed to make Consumer Reports’ list of not-so-safe vehicles.
2024 Ford F-150:
- Emergency handling score – 2 / 5
- Avoidance maneuver, max speed – 48 mph
- Emergency braking score – 3 / 5
- 60-0 braking test – 143 feet
2024 Ford Expedition:
- Emergency handling score – 2 / 5
- Avoidance maneuver, max speed – 47 mph
- Emergency braking score – 3 / 5
- 60-0 braking test – 143 feet
Other vehicles on the list include the 2024 Dodge Durango, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, the 2024 Land Rover Defender, the 2024 Lincoln Navigator, the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage and the 2024 Toyota Sequoia.
Of course, all vehicles on CR’s list meet federal safety regulations, yet some many lack technology features like automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, or good scores in braking, emergency handling, rollaway risk, and usability tests.
For its part, General Motors has made great strides to equip its vehicles with AEB tech as standard. In regard to GM trucks such as the Chevy Silverado 1500, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, and GMC Yukon, automatic emergency braking has been included as standard equipment since 2021 for the SUVs and 2022 for the pickup trucks. Furthermore, the safety technology has gone from being equipped as standard fare on 42 percent of GM models in 2021 to 93 percent of vehicles in 2024.
Comments
The only I trust regarding vehicle safety is the IIHS. Consumer Reports isn’t even on my radar.
Agree, these are trucks. They drive and handle like trucks, not cars, not a fair comparison. I remind my wife and children every time they drive my truck that it is heavy, it’s rear wheel drive and it will not stop as fast as your car does. Don’t over drive it.
So what I gather from this is that GM handles and brakes better than Ford, but because they expect the driver to pay attention and be the one applying the brakes on too many trim levels, instead of the vehicle automatically braking, it ranks worse?
Got it, Consumer Reports logic at it’s finest.
GM trucks definitely handle better. It’s part of that stiff lumber truck ride they have.
They do paywall safety features and are generally behind on them compared to the competition.
I think it’s stems from a lack of real innovation and options, so they have to make things that others call standard and option. Then you feel better about your high country, which is really just a Lariat competitor.
someone at ford is “friends” with someone at consumer reports!!
I never bought a vehicle because of what consumer reports says . I highly doubt a truck guy is going to change his mind because the truck he wants is not as safe. Funny..
I have been driving for 49 years and I have never once considered a safety rating for any of my vehicles. In fact when I was in HS I always removed the seatbelts because they were ugly and I didn’t use them anyway.
I have not been impressed with Consumer Reports reporting on any product in the last 5 years – its all opinions now, with no actual facts I could use to make my own decisions! I’ve quit reading CR.
CR is bought and paid for. Don’t care if they say they take no money, it’s all a lie.