The Chevrolet Impala, redesigned in 2014, remains a popular choice in the large sedan category. For the 2019 model year, it’s crucial for potential buyers and automotive enthusiasts to understand its safety performance. This analysis delves into the 2019 Chevy Impala’s safety ratings, providing a comprehensive breakdown based on rigorous testing standards.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end (driver-side in this case) impacts a barrier. This is a particularly demanding test that assesses how well a vehicle’s structure protects occupants in offset frontal crashes.
Rating: Acceptable
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Acceptable |
The 2019 Chevy Impala achieved an Acceptable rating in the small overlap front crash test. While the structure and safety cage held up acceptably, and driver injury measures were generally good, there was a notable issue with dummy kinematics.
Action shot from the small overlap frontal crash test of a 2019 Chevrolet Impala, highlighting vehicle deformation and airbag deployment.
Dummy Kinematics and Restraints: During the test, the dummy’s head made contact with the frontal airbag. However, it subsequently slid off to the left, leaving the head potentially vulnerable to impacts with the vehicle’s structure. On a positive note, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively and offered adequate forward coverage, designed to protect the head from side structure and external object contact. The side torso airbag also functioned as intended.
Post-crash dummy position within the 2019 Chevy Impala, illustrating the driver survival space and interaction with safety features like airbags and steering wheel.
Driver Survival Space: Analysis of the dummy’s position relative to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash indicated that the driver’s survival space was maintained reasonably well. This is a critical factor in occupant protection.
Close-up view of the dummy’s head movement during the small overlap test, showing the head sliding off the frontal airbag and into a gap between airbag coverage areas.
Despite the head airbag slippage, the overall risk of injuries to the driver’s legs and feet was assessed as low, further supported by structural performance measurements.
Assessment of driver leg and foot space post-small overlap crash test in the 2019 Chevrolet Impala, indicating good maintenance of space and low injury risk to lower extremities.
Technical Measurements – Small Overlap Front Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 11 |
| Footrest (cm) | 8 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 1 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 3 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 6 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 8 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 8 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 89 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 17 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.21 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 17 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.5 |
| Right | 0.0 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.68 |
| Right | 0.32 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 2.0 |
| Right | 0.1 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 54 |
| Right | 48 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
The moderate overlap front crash test, a more traditional frontal impact assessment, involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end colliding with a deformable barrier.
Rating: Good
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Leg/foot, left | Good |
| Leg/foot, right | Acceptable |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
The 2019 Chevy Impala earned a Good rating in the moderate overlap front crash test. This indicates robust protection in a more common type of frontal collision. All critical aspects, including structure, safety cage, and driver restraints, were rated as good. The only exception was the “Leg/foot, right” injury measure which was rated as Acceptable.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 4 |
| Left (cm) | 8 |
| Center (cm) | 10 |
| Right (cm) | 7 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 2 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | -2 |
| Rearward (cm) | -8 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 230 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.27 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 27 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 0.6 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.9 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.55 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.47 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.9 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 4.4 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 48 |
| Right | 90 |
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Test
The side impact test evaluates how well the vehicle protects occupants in a side collision, simulating a typical intersection accident.
Rating: Good
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Acceptable |
| Pelvis/leg | Good |
| Driver head protection | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/leg | Good |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good |
The 2019 Chevy Impala achieved a Good overall rating in the side impact test. It provides good protection for both driver and rear passengers. Driver torso injury measures were rated as Acceptable, while all other categories for both driver and rear passenger were rated as Good.
Technical Measurements – Side Impact Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -19.5 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 316 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.5 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.9 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 40 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 35 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.20 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.67 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.0 |
| Combined force (kN) | 3.1 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 1.1 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 78 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | -21 |
| Passenger injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 113 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 15 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 19 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 14 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.19 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.14 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.4 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.6 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.8 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 108 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | -29 |
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test measures the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover scenario.
Rating: Good
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,745 lbs |
| Peak force | 16,836 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.50 |
The 2019 Chevy Impala received a Good rating for roof strength, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.50. This signifies that the roof can withstand over four times the vehicle’s weight, indicating strong rollover protection.
Head Restraints & Seats
This evaluation assesses the effectiveness of the head restraints and seats in preventing neck injuries in rear-end collisions.
Rating: Good
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good |
The 2019 Chevy Impala’s power leather seats and head restraints earned a Good overall rating. Both dynamic performance and seat/head restraint geometry were rated as Good, indicating effective whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats
| Seat type | Power leather seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 15 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 17 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 13.1 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 56 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 1 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 446 |
Headlights
Headlight performance is crucial for nighttime visibility and accident prevention. The 2019 Chevy Impala was evaluated with two different headlight options.
Rating: Poor (for both headlight types)
Premier Trim (HID Projector Headlights)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | Poor |
The Premier trim with HID projector headlights received a Poor overall rating.
Low Beam Performance: Low beams were inadequate on straightaways and fair to inadequate on curves.
High Beam Performance: High beams were fair on the straightaway right side but inadequate in all other scenarios, including curves.
LS and LT Trims (Halogen Projector Headlights)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | Poor |
The LS and LT trims with Halogen projector headlights also received a Poor overall rating.
Low Beam Performance: Low beams were inadequate on straightaways and curves.
High Beam Performance: High beams were inadequate on straightaways and curves.
Technical Measurements – Headlights (HID Projector – Premier Trim)
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) | Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 76.0 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 42.5 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 55.1 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 41.6 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 48.9 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 38.9 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 129.4 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 99.2 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 57.5 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 55.2 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 49.4 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 47.0 m |
Technical Measurements – Headlights (Halogen Projector – LS/LT Trims)
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) | Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 73.2 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 36.4 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 42.9 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 37.3 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 35.1 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 32.3 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 118.6 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 77.7 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 44.9 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 47.7 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 36.0 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 37.6 m |
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems help mitigate or avoid collisions with other vehicles. The 2019 Chevy Impala offers optional systems with varying levels of effectiveness.
Rating: Superior (with optional Forward Automatic Braking) / Basic (with optional Forward Collision Alert only)
Optional Forward Automatic Braking (Premier Confidence Package)
Rating: Superior
The 2019 Impala with optional Forward Automatic Braking achieved a Superior rating.
- Forward Collision Warning: Meets requirements.
- 12 mph Test: Collision Avoided.
- 25 mph Test: Impact speed reduced by 10 mph.
Optional Forward Collision Alert (Driver Confidence Package)
Rating: Basic
With the optional Forward Collision Alert alone, the 2019 Impala achieves a Basic rating.
- Forward Collision Warning: Meets requirements.
- Autobrake: Not available in this package.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The ease of use of LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) systems for installing child seats is evaluated.
Rating: Acceptable
| Overall evaluation | Acceptable |
|---|---|
| Vehicle trim | 1LS |
| Seat type | cloth |
The 2019 Chevy Impala received an Acceptable rating for its LATCH system. It has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors.
LATCH System Details:
- Seating Positions with Complete LATCH: 2
- Additional Tether Anchor Position: 1 (can borrow lower anchors)
Details by Seating Position:
| Position | Rating Details |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tether anchor (easy to find), Lower anchors (too deep, easy to maneuver) |
| 2 | Tether anchor (easy to find), Lower anchors (1 dedicated, 1 borrowed, too deep, difficult to maneuver) |
| 3 | Tether anchor (easy to find), Lower anchors (too deep, easy to maneuver) |
Technical Measurements – Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
| Seat position 21 (Position 3) | |
|---|---|
| Lower anchor A | Depth: 2-4 cm, Force: 32 lbs, Clearance angle: 72 degrees |
| Lower anchor B | Depth: 2-4 cm, Force: 27 lbs, Clearance angle: 73 degrees |
| Tether anchor | Location: Rear deck, No confusing hardware |
| Seat position 22 (Position 2) | |
|---|---|
| Lower anchor B | Depth: 4-6 cm, Force: 22 lbs, Clearance angle: 54 degrees |
| Tether anchor | Location: Rear deck, No confusing hardware |
| Seat position 23 (Position 1) | |
|---|---|
| Lower anchor A | Depth: 2-4 cm, Force: 27 lbs, Clearance angle: 68 degrees |
| Lower anchor B | Depth: 2-4 cm, Force: 33 lbs, Clearance angle: 69 degrees |
| Tether anchor | Location: Rear deck, No confusing hardware |
Conclusion: 2019 Chevy Impala Safety Performance
The 2019 Chevy Impala demonstrates solid safety performance in most crash tests, achieving Good ratings in moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraints & seats. It earned an Acceptable rating in the more challenging small overlap front test. However, headlight performance is a significant area of weakness, with a Poor rating for both available headlight types. Front crash prevention varies, offering Superior protection with the optional Forward Automatic Braking system and Basic with only Forward Collision Alert. The LATCH system for child seats is rated Acceptable.
For prospective buyers of a 2019 Chevy Impala, understanding these safety ratings is essential. While the Impala offers robust crash protection in many scenarios, the poor headlight rating should be a consideration, especially for those who frequently drive at night. Opting for the Premier Confidence Package with Forward Automatic Braking is advisable to enhance front crash prevention. Overall, the 2019 Chevy Impala provides a generally safe experience, but potential buyers should weigh the headlight and small overlap front performance against its strengths in other safety areas.
