2015 Ford F-150: IIHS Gives Aluminum Body Mixed Crash Test Scores & Says It's 26% Pricier To Repair

This morning, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released crash test scores for the new, aluminum-bodied 2015 Ford F-150 pickup. Among the results, there's good news and bad news for fans of America's best-loved vehicle.

First, the good news: IIHS says that the F-150's new aluminum body provides just as much crash protection as its steel predecessor. While some critics had doubted that lighter-weight aluminum could keep occupants safe during collisions, IIHS insists that it absolutely does.

ALSO SEE: Toyota Camry Vs. Honda Accord: Compare Cars

In fact, the 2015 F-150 SuperCrew -- the one with a full backseat -- earned "good" scores in all IIHS tests, including the new, difficult small overlap front crash. As a result, it's been awarded the designation of "Top Safety Pick".

(Though Ford offers a collision warning system on the F-150, the truck isn't eligible for IIHS' highest honor of "Top Safety Pick+" because the system doesn't include autonomous braking.)

Now, the bad news: the 2015 Ford F-150 extended cab -- the one with a compact second seating row -- didn't fare quite as well as its larger sibling. It earned "good" scores on the IIHS moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. On the small overlap front crash test, however, the extended cab was rated "marginal" because...

"Intruding structure seriously compromised the driver's survival space, resulting in a poor structural rating. The toepan, parking brake and brake pedal were pushed back 10-13 inches toward the dummy, and the dashboard was jammed against its lower legs. Measures recorded on the dummy indicated there would be a moderate risk of injuries to the right thigh, lower left leg and left foot in a real-world crash of this severity.

The steering column was pushed back nearly 8 inches and came dangerously close to the dummy's chest. The dummy's head barely contacted the front airbag before sliding off to the left and hitting the instrument panel."

Why the difference? IIHS' David Zuby says that "Ford added structural elements to the crew cab's front frame to earn a good small overlap rating and a Top Safety Pick award but didn't do the same for the extended cab. That shortchanges buyers who might pick the extended cab thinking it offers the same protection in this type of crash as the crew cab."

CHECK OUT: Average Age Of U.S. Vehicles Hits Record High: 11.5 Years