GMC Canyon Falls Short In Two Key IIHS Safety Tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released its latest safety scores earlier this month, and only two out of seven newly tested vehicles achieved the authority’s top safety award. It has become increasingly tougher for manufacturers to meet this standard, but stricter tests are continuously improving safety standards in new vehicles. Of the group of seven vehicles, the only pickup was the 2026 GMC Canyon Crew Cab. While it aced some tests, it fell well short in two others. Here’s a closer look at the popular pickup’s results and how it compares to rivals.

GMC Canyon Safety Ratings

The IIHS runs six key safety tests for every vehicle. Three of them cover crash safety, one test is for the effectiveness of the headlights, and two more evaluate crash prevention. In each test, a vehicle is given a score of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor. Here’s an overview of the six key safety tests.

So, what did the GMC Canyon do well? The pickup achieved Good ratings in the small overlap front and side crash tests, where it did a great job of protecting occupants. However, it only achieved a Marginal rating in the moderate overlap front test. Here, IIHS researchers found that rear-seat passengers had a heightened risk of head/neck injuries in this test, and a slightly increased risk of chest injuries. The driver was also at risk of more serious leg/foot injuries than ideal.

The Canyon has Acceptable ratings for its headlights and pedestrian front crash prevention, but it fell far short in vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention, with a Poor rating. The pickup was only able to avoid a collision in one test where there was a passenger car target, but it was only able to reduce its speed in other tests. A heavy pickup striking a car at even lower speeds could result in serious injuries, so GMC has some work to do to improve its current system. Furthermore, when there was a motorcyclist as a target, the Canyon failed to provide the driver with a timely warning on two occasions.

Related: Ford Ranger Vs. Chevrolet Colorado Vs. GMC Canyon: Which One Is The Best Value? There’s One Clear Winner

Comparison With Other Midsize Pickups

Of the seven midsize pickups tested by the IIHS, it’s notable that not a single one achieved a Top Safety Pick+ or the lesser Top Safety Pick award. Only the Nissan Frontier and Jeep Gladiator received a top score for the moderate overlap front test, with many pickups struggling in this area.

Vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention is also a weakness in this class, as the Canyon, related Chevrolet Colorado, Frontier, and Honda Ridgeline were all hit with the lowest Poor rating. Overall, the Toyota Tacoma has the most consistent overall scores in the midsize pickup class, but it was held back by a Marginal rating in the moderate overlap front test. 

Related: The Safest Car Brands in 2026 Have a Clear Winner

Final Thoughts

The GMC Canyon may not have earned a safety award from the IIHS, but the same can be said of all its rivals. In general, pickup trucks have lagged behind crossovers in overall protection, but they’re gradually improving. For most brands in this class, addressing weaknesses in the moderate front overlap and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention tests should be a priority. The results don’t mean the Canyon should be avoided, but buyers seeking the safest midsize pickup will be better off with the Toyota Tacoma.

Related: IIHS Says Its Crash Tests Helped Save Nearly 50,000 Lives

​Read More