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2010 Ford F-150 Safety Review

September 17, 2009

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, All impacts and body styles
NHTSA

Not yet tested; 2009 model named a Top Safety Pick
IIHS

New head restraints
Cars.com

A few new safety features take the 2010 Ford F-150 even closer to the front of the class.

The 2010 Ford F-150 earns perfect five-star ratings from the NHTSA in every impact category and in all of its varied body configurations. This is an impressive feat for any vehicle, and few automobiles manage to sweep the NHTSA crash-test ratings. The Ford F-150 earned the IIHS’ highest possible rating, ‘Good,’ in both frontal offset and side impact tests. The 2009 Ford F-150 was also named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, and TheCarConnection.com expects similar results for the 2010 edition of the Ford F-150.

The new F-150 lineup is bristling with protective technology, and the list of safety features rivals that of any other pickup on the road. Cars.com writes that the standard safety features “include side curtain airbags to protect front and backseat occupants; antilock brakes; and an electronic stability system with traction control and Roll Stability Control.” Jalopnik adds that additional safety features include “Trailer Sway Control,” which can take control of both braking effort and engine speed to “bring both vehicle and trailer under control.” The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor also gets Ford’s first-ever “Hill Descent Control,” which Jalopnik says means that “the driver can control hill descent without applying the brakes.” Kelley Blue Book simply calls the safety features list “outstanding,” with additions for 2010 that include “’smart’ airbags and seatbelts and new seats and restraints” that improve rear-end collision protection.

One of the problems with driving large trucks is poor visibility, but Ford has taken steps to improve sightlines from the driver’s seat of the F-150. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that these efforts have been largely successful, as ConsumerGuide writes that “visibility is generally good in SuperCab and SuperCrew models.” Unfortunately, and somewhat paradoxically, the smaller “regular cab…has huge rear pillars that block a lot to the back corners.”

Conclusion

The 2010 Ford F-150 builds on its safety pedigree with the introduction of Ford’s first-ever Hill Descent assist system in the Raptor.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, All impacts and body stylesNHTSANot yet tested; 2009 model named a Top Safety PickIIHSNew head restraintsCars.com A few new safety features take the 2010 Ford F-150 even closer to the front of the class. The 2010 Ford F-150 earns perfect five-star ratings from the NHTSA in every impact category and in all of its varied body configurations. This is an impressive feat for any vehicle, and few automobiles manage to sweep the NHTSA crash-test ratings. The Ford F-150 earned the IIHS’ highest possible rating, ‘Good,’ in both frontal offset and side impact tests. The 2009 Ford F-150 was also named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, and TheCarConnection.com expects similar results for the 2010 edition of the Ford F-150. The new F-150 lineup is bristling with protective technology, and the list of safety features rivals that of any other pickup on the road. Cars.com writes that the standard safety features “include side curtain airbags to protect front and backseat occupants; antilock brakes; and an electronic stability system with traction control and Roll Stability Control.” Jalopnik adds that additional safety features include “Trailer Sway Control,” which can take control of both braking effort and engine speed to “bring both vehicle and trailer under control.” The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor also gets Ford’s first-ever “Hill Descent Control,” which Jalopnik says means that “the driver can control hill descent without applying the brakes.” Kelley Blue Book simply calls the safety features list “outstanding,” with additions for 2010 that include “’smart’ airbags and seatbelts and new seats and restraints” that improve rear-end collision protection. One of the problems with driving large trucks is poor visibility, but Ford has taken steps to improve sightlines from the driver’s seat of the F-150. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that these efforts have been largely successful, as ConsumerGuide writes that “visibility is generally good in SuperCab and SuperCrew models.” Unfortunately, and somewhat paradoxically, the smaller “regular cab…has huge rear pillars that block a lot to the back corners.” ConclusionThe 2010 Ford F-150 builds on its safety pedigree with the introduction of Ford’s first-ever Hill Descent assist system in the Raptor. 2010 FORD F-150 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: “The front end emulates Ford’s Super Duty work trucks” Car and Driver: “F-150 SVT Raptor is about as subtle as the feeling one gets sitting on a cactus” Kelley Blue Book: “Interior is both attractive and functional” Few would argue ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

As soon as GM introduced its redesigned full-size trucks in 2007, they became favorites because of their advancements in ride, handling, refinement, and interioe appointments. However, Ford has edged to the front in some areas. Interior packaging is a strength of the new F-150; the cab floors of competitive trucks are not flat (GM and Dodge) like the Ford or can't be accessed at all (Toyota). When we reviewed the 2009 Dodge Ram, we praised its on-road handling (a benefit of a link-coil rear suspension). The F-150 comes close to matching the Dodge's on-road ride but delivers greater payload and towing capabilities plus more steering feel, something we felt the Dodge could have used more of. While introduced with much fanfare in 2007, Toyota's Tundra lags well behind the domestics in terms of ride dynamics and features. Unless you are staunchly brand loyal, there's not much reason to choose the Toyota over the Ford…or the Dodge or GM models. The availability of a Hybrid models of the GM trucks might make the difference to some buyers.

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