Large Ute Safety
How do the larger ‘pickup’ style utes compare?
Does size matter?
Large utilities - in some cases referred to as pickup trucks - have become increasingly popular in Australia with a range of manufacturers offering models to support growing consumer demand.
Traditionally designed for towing or hauling loads such as caravans and large equipment or animal trailers, these larger utes are now commonly seen in general, everyday use - driven by families and tradespeople in metropolitan areas as well as on rural and regional roads.
Their physical size and greater mass has been raised as a potential concern for occupants of other vehicles and other road users including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists if involved in a crash.
To help consumers and fleets consider the comparative the safety of models in this larger utility segment, we put a selection of popular models to the test.
This inaugural independent assessment examines the availability and performance of active collision avoidance safety systems, with a particular focus on their ability to detect and avoid a crash with vulnerable road users.
This new assessment program is designed to encourage and accelerate the standard fitment of active collision avoidance systems across the large utility market segment.
Fatal pedestrian crashes involving pickups are four times more likely to occur during a turn than those involving cars.*
An overall safety grading of PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE, or NOT RECOMMENDED is awarded to each model.
Highest performing Large Utes
Large Utes.
Does size matter?
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