2019 Ram 1500 Crewcab earns better IIHS crash test scores

The redesigned 2019 Ram 1500 truck was unveiled back in March of this year with pricing starting at a bit under $32,000 for a base model. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has announced that the redesigned Ram 1500 crew cab offers better crash protection for passengers than previous models. IIHS notes that the 2019 model has earned good ratings in all six crashworthiness tests it performs.

The previous version of the truck was rated as marginal in the driver-side small overlap front test and roof strength test. The new truck earned a good rating in the passenger-side small overlap test, IIHS notes that the previous version of the truck hadn't been tested for passenger-side protection.

IIHS also notes that both of the small overlap crash ratings are specific to trucks built after July when the cab mounts to the vehicle frame were improved. Roof strength ratings for the 2019 Ram improved significantly compared to 2018. IIHS notes that in 2018 the crew cab and extended cab versions of the Ram 1500 were the worst performers of any vehicles tested for roof strength.

Ram's optional front crash prevention system, a first for the truck in 2019, earned a superior rating from IIHS. The testing agency said that on its test tracks at 12 mph and 25 mph a vehicle equipped with the front crash prevention system was able to avoid a crash; that system also meets NHTSA criteria.

While the 2019 Ram 1500 was improved in most crash test ratings, the truck still failed to earn an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation. The reason the truck fell short was that the headlights earned a marginal rating; the truck needed an acceptable or good headlight rating to earn the award.