Ford's F-150 pickup did its creators proud after the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the light-duty truck with their Top Safety Pick.
The new is also important for Ford and F-150 potential buyers for more than one reason.
For starters, the new Ford F-150 is the only full-size, light-duty truck in the industry to earn the government’s highest possible 5-star rating for the driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations.
The F-150 crew cab, which Ford calls the SuperCrew, earned good ratings for occupant protection in all five IIHS crashworthiness evaluations — small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations.
"Consumers who wondered whether the aluminum-body F-150 would be as crashworthy as its steel-body predecessor can consider the question answered," said David Zuby, IIHS chief research officer.
So, how was that possible? Well, Ford told us they managed to obtain 700-pound (317.5 kg) weight savings through the use of high-strength steel in the frame. Also, this solution was combined with opting for high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body.
The F-150 has another ace up its sleeves in the battle against any damage might occur in the event of a crash, courtesy of a modular structure that simplifies repairs.
As you might remember, the 2016 Ford F-150 received the Limited trim level, that turns the pickup truck into what Ford calls the most luxurious F-150 ever built.
We don't know about that, but the industrious model does offer quad-beam LED headlamps, multicontour massaging seats, 360-degree camera system, and a remote tailgate release.
Under the hood, things remain intact, with the same 3.5-liter turbo V6 with 365 HP and 420 lb-ft (Nm) making the rules in the power department.
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