Is a compact pickup inherently safer than a compact car?  Not so, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, having just crash-tested a number of small trucks.

After a series of destructive tests, including a frontal-offset collision at 40 mph and a side impact at 31 mph, the 2008 Toyota Tacoma came out as the IIHS top pick.  Receiving a 'good' rating in both front and side impact situations, the Tacoma's performance is hampered only by a 'marginal' rating in rear-end collisions.

The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins are the IIHS's worst-rated pickups.  Although head-on collisions yield an 'acceptable' rating (the second-highest rating the IIHS gives), the trucks received a 'poor' rating in side-impact testing and a 'marginal' rear-impact score.  Although side-impact airbags are optional on both the Colorado and Canyon, IIHS tests vehicles without the devices unless a manufacturer requests otherwise.

The IIHS also takes manufacturers to task over the lack of stability control systems on small pickups.  Although the Tacoma and Colorado/Canyon will have ESP as standard equipment for 2009, it's only available for 2008 on the Nissan Frontier.

RESULTS:

2008 Toyota Tacoma:
    Front: Good
    Side: Good
    Rear: Marginal
    ESP: Not available; standard in 2009

2008 Dodge Dakota/ Mitsubishi Raider:
    Front: Good
    Side: Marginal
    Rear: Acceptable
    ESP: Not available

2008 Nissan Frontier
    Front: Good
    Side: Marginal
    Rear: Poor
    ESP: Optional

2008 Ford Ranger/ Mazda B-Series
    Front: Acceptable
    Side: Marginal
    Rear: Poor
    ESP: Not available

2008 Chevrolet Colorado/ GMC Canyon
    Front: Acceptable
    Side: Poor
    Rear: Marginal
    ESP: Not available; standard in 2009