The 2019 Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid lauded for its efficiency and electric range, also stands out for its commitment to safety. For prospective buyers and current owners alike, understanding the safety performance of the 2019 Volt is crucial. This analysis dives deep into the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings for the 2019 Chevrolet Volt, providing a comprehensive overview of its crashworthiness and safety features.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Performance
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where just a small portion of the vehicle’s front corner impacts an object, like a tree or pole. This is a demanding test, and the 2019 Chevy Volt demonstrated robust protection for the driver.
Rating: Good
The 2019 Chevy Volt earned a “Good” rating in the small overlap front test, the highest possible score. This rating applies to models from 2016-2019, reflecting the consistent design and safety engineering of this generation. Key aspects of the evaluation include:
- Structure and Safety Cage: Rated “Good,” indicating that the structural integrity of the Volt held up well during the crash, maintaining the survival space for the driver.
- Driver Injury Measures: All critical injury measures for the driver – head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot – were rated “Good,” signifying a low risk of significant injuries in this type of accident.
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Rated “Acceptable.” The frontal airbag engaged but allowed some forward movement of the dummy’s head, which slightly reduced the overall rating in this sub-category. However, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively, providing ample head protection.
Action shot during the small overlap frontal crash test of the 2019 Chevy Volt, showcasing vehicle deformation and airbag deployment.
Post-crash dummy position in the 2019 Chevy Volt small overlap front test, illustrating maintained driver survival space within the vehicle structure.
Close-up view of airbag deployment and dummy head movement during the 2019 Chevy Volt small overlap front test, highlighting interaction with safety systems.
Assessment of driver space maintenance and lower extremity injury risk for the 2019 Chevy Volt in the small overlap front crash test, demonstrating effective protection.
Technical Measurements (Small Overlap Front Test):
| Measurement Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Lower Hinge Pillar Intrusion (max cm) | 9 |
| Footrest Intrusion (cm) | 4 |
| Left Toepan Intrusion (cm) | 2 |
| Brake Pedal Intrusion (cm) | 4 |
| Steering Column Intrusion (cm) | 1 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Intrusion (max cm) | 7 |
| Upper Dash Intrusion (cm) | 8 |
| Lower Instrument Panel Intrusion (cm) | 7 |
| Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) | 103 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Chest Compression (mm) | 19 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 0.1 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.57 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.65 |
These measurements provide a detailed look at the structural performance and potential injury indicators during the small overlap test, further supporting the “Good” rating for driver protection in the 2019 Chevy Volt.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Evaluation
The moderate overlap front crash test, a more traditional frontal crash assessment, evaluates protection when a significant portion of the vehicle’s front strikes a barrier. Again, the 2019 Chevy Volt showcased excellent safety performance.
Rating: Good
The 2019 Chevy Volt achieved a “Good” overall rating in the moderate overlap front test. This rating, assigned by IIHS based on General Motors testing, reinforces the Volt’s frontal crash safety.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”
- Structure and Safety Cage: “Good,” indicating robust structural design.
- Driver Injury Measures: “Good” for head/neck and chest, demonstrating strong protection in these critical areas. Leg/foot injury for the left leg was rated “Acceptable,” while the right leg was “Good.”
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: “Good,” signifying effective restraint systems.
Technical Measurements (Moderate Overlap Front Test):
| Measurement Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Footrest Intrusion (cm) | 5 |
| Left Footwell Intrusion (cm) | 6 |
| Center Footwell Intrusion (cm) | 9 |
| Right Footwell Intrusion (cm) | 8 |
| Brake Pedal Intrusion (cm) | 5 |
| Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) | 204 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Chest Compression (mm) | 27 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.83 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.64 |
These metrics further illustrate the controlled impact forces and effective occupant protection provided by the 2019 Chevy Volt in a moderate overlap frontal collision.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Assessment
Side impacts are particularly dangerous, making side crash protection a vital safety aspect. The 2019 Chevy Volt performed admirably in the side impact test.
Rating: Good
The 2019 Chevy Volt earned a “Good” overall rating in the side crash test, another top score. This rating, based on GM-conducted testing and assessed by IIHS, confirms strong side impact protection for both driver and rear passengers.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”
- Structure and Safety Cage: “Good,” indicating a well-designed structure to resist side impact forces.
- Driver Injury Measures: “Good” for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg, demonstrating comprehensive protection.
- Driver Head Protection: “Good,” highlighting the effectiveness of side airbags and structural design in protecting the driver’s head.
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures: “Good” across all categories (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg), extending excellent protection to rear occupants.
- Rear Passenger Head Protection: “Good,” ensuring head safety for rear passengers in a side impact.
Technical Measurements (Side Impact Crash Test):
| Measurement Category | Driver Value | Passenger Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) | 366 | 228 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 | 0.2 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 32 | 21 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 2.0 | 1.1 |
These measurements show controlled intrusion and low injury measures for both front and rear occupants in a side impact scenario, reinforcing the “Good” safety rating.
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is critical in rollover accidents. The 2019 Chevy Volt’s roof demonstrated impressive strength.
Rating: Good
The 2019 Chevy Volt achieved a “Good” rating in roof strength. This test measures the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover scenario.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: 4.91. This ratio, calculated by dividing peak force by vehicle weight, indicates the roof can withstand nearly five times the vehicle’s weight, a strong performance.
- Peak Force: 17,081 lbs. The maximum force the roof sustained before significant deformation.
This robust roof strength provides significant protection in rollover accidents for occupants of the 2019 Chevy Volt.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
Whiplash and neck injuries are common in rear-end collisions. Effective head restraints and seat design play a crucial role in mitigating these injuries.
Rating: Good
The 2019 Chevy Volt earned a “Good” rating for head restraints and seats. This evaluation assesses both the dynamic performance in simulated rear impacts and the geometry of the seat and head restraint.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”
- Dynamic Rating: “Good,” indicating effective performance in preventing whiplash injuries during a rear impact.
- Seat/Head Restraint Geometry: “Good,” confirming proper design and positioning for optimal protection.
Technical Measurements (Head Restraints & Seats):
| Measurement Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 22 |
| Distance Below Top of Head (mm) | 26 |
| Max T1 Acceleration (g) | 15.1 |
| Max Neck Shear Force (N) | 33 |
| Max Neck Tension (N) | 401 |
These measurements confirm the effective design of the 2019 Chevy Volt’s seats and head restraints in minimizing whiplash risk in rear-end collisions.
Headlight Performance
Visibility is paramount for accident prevention. The IIHS evaluates headlight performance to ensure adequate illumination and minimize glare.
Rating: Good to Acceptable (depending on trim)
The 2019 Chevy Volt’s headlight ratings vary depending on the trim level and package.
- Premier trim with Driver Confidence II package: “Good” rating. Equipped with LED projector low beams and halogen reflector high beams, along with high-beam assist, this configuration provides good visibility on straightaways and curves with minimal glare.
- LT trim and Premier trim (standard headlights): “Acceptable” rating. These trims also feature LED projector low beams and halogen reflector high beams but without high-beam assist. They offer similar low-beam performance to the “Good”-rated headlights but lack the high-beam assist benefit.
Headlight Performance Details:
| Trim/Package | Overall Rating | Low Beam Type | High Beam Type | High-Beam Assist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier with Driver Confidence II | Good | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector | Yes |
| LT Trim / Premier Trim (Standard Headlights) | Acceptable | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector | No |
While both headlight systems are rated as “Acceptable” or better, opting for the Premier trim with the Driver Confidence II package provides the best headlight performance for the 2019 Chevy Volt.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Advanced safety features like front crash prevention systems are increasingly important. The 2019 Chevy Volt offers such systems to help avoid or mitigate frontal collisions.
Rating: Superior to Advanced (depending on system)
The 2019 Chevy Volt offers two different front crash prevention systems, each with its own rating:
- Optional Forward Automatic Braking (with Adaptive Cruise Control): “Superior” rating (2017-19 models). This system avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph IIHS tests and meets forward collision warning requirements.
- Optional Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking (with Driver Confidence Package II): “Advanced” rating (2016-19 models). This system also avoided a collision in the 12 mph test and reduced impact speed by 5 mph in the 25 mph test, while also meeting forward collision warning criteria.
Front Crash Prevention System Details:
| System Name | Overall Rating | Avoided 12 mph Test | Avoided/Mitigated 25 mph Test | Forward Collision Warning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Automatic Braking (Adaptive Cruise Control) | Superior | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking (Driver Confidence II) | Advanced | Yes | Impact Reduced by 5 mph | Yes |
Both systems provide significant front crash prevention capabilities, with the Forward Automatic Braking system achieving the highest “Superior” rating.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
For families, child seat anchor ease of use is a key consideration. The IIHS LATCH evaluation assesses the ease of installing child seats using the LATCH system.
Rating: Marginal
The 2019 Chevy Volt received a “Marginal” rating for its LATCH system. While it has LATCH hardware in multiple rear seating positions, usability issues were identified.
- Number of LATCH positions: 2 rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware, plus 1 additional position with a tether anchor.
- Usability Issues: Lower anchors are located deeply in the seat, requiring excessive force to attach child seat connectors. Additionally, other hardware could be confused for tether anchors.
LATCH System Details:
| Position | Overall Rating | Lower Anchor Rating | Tether Anchor Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marginal | Marginal | Acceptable |
| 2 | Marginal | Not Available | Acceptable |
| 3 | Marginal | Marginal | Acceptable |
While the 2019 Chevy Volt provides LATCH anchors, parents may encounter some difficulties during child seat installation due to the anchor placement and force required.
Conclusion: 2019 Chevy Volt – A Safe and Reliable Choice
The IIHS safety ratings for the 2019 Chevy Volt paint a clear picture: this plug-in hybrid prioritizes safety and provides excellent crash protection for its occupants. Earning mostly “Good” ratings across various crash tests, along with available advanced front crash prevention systems, the 2019 Chevy Volt stands as a safe and reliable option in its class. While the LATCH system received a “Marginal” rating, the overall safety profile of the 2019 Chevy Volt is undeniably strong, making it a confident choice for drivers and families seeking both efficiency and security.
