2014 GMC Sierra Given Five Stars from NHTSA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, toughened the New Car Assessment program beginning with the 2011 model year. Changes included side pole testing, more crash data, and varying sizes of crash test dummies. The change was noticeable. No pickup has received an overall five-star safety review since the new standards were adopted.

Until now, that is.

The 2014 models of the GMC Sierra 1500 along with the Sierra Denali 1500 were recently granted overall five-star ratings by the NHTSA. GMC is pleased with the results, noting in a statement the company expects its 2014 line of light duty full-size pickups to account for 60 percent of sales.

“The Silverado and Sierra set a benchmark for pickup truck safety by offering a full array of advanced features designed to protect occupants before, during, and after a collision, Gay Kent, GM general director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness said. She also acknowledged that safety is an important component to truck buyers and car buyers alike.

GMC notes the 2013 models received four-stars from the NHTSA. Before the standards changed in 2011, 87 percent of models earned four to five stars for side-impact crashes, and 95 percent garnered five stars for frontal crashes. That number dropped dramatically in 2013 when less than 20 percent of all models earned less than five stars in rollover testing.

The 2014 models were designed with safety in mind. Although automakers were slow to apply new technologies like optional air bags and anti-rollover technology to pickups, the new crop of pickups provide such features. Airbags are now standard and include dual stage frontal air bags, head-curtain side-impact air bags with rollover protection, and seat-mounted side-impact air bags. The Silverado and Sierra have fully boxed frames and are comprised of extensive amounts of high-strength steel. Each model provides new standard lap belt pretensions and backup rear cameras. Further safety options, like forward-collision alert, safety-alert seats, and lane departure warnings, are also available in the models. The company also notes that the newest batch of trucks have increased fuel-efficiency over older models.

The company, one of the healthiest in the auto industry, will have plenty of opportunities to spread the news of its five-star achievement. The 2014 GMC Sierra Denali is set to star in the “ESPN Monday Night Football Launch” on Sept. 9. The 90-second launch will provide a history of the series to honor the show’s 44th year.

“The all-new Sierra Denali is a natural star for the new Monday Night Football launch open,” GMC vice president of marketing Tony DiSalle said. “Just as NFL players give their all on the field, GMC engineers and designers left nothing on the table when developing the Sierra.”