The 2019 Toyota Camry Le stands as a popular sedan, and for those prioritizing safety, understanding its crashworthiness and safety features is crucial. This comprehensive guide delves into the safety ratings of the 2019 Toyota Camry LE, providing detailed insights based on evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We’ll explore various crash tests and preventative safety technologies to give you a complete picture of how well this vehicle protects its occupants.
Small Overlap Front: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test assesses the vehicle’s structural integrity when the front corner of the car collides with a narrow object. For the driver-side small overlap test, the 2019 Toyota Camry LE received a “Good” rating, the highest possible.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
This “Good” rating extends across all critical aspects of the test. The Camry LE’s structure and safety cage held up well, earning a “Good” rating. Crucially, driver injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were all rated “Good,” indicating a low risk of significant injuries in this type of collision. Furthermore, the driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also deemed “Good,” reflecting effective airbag deployment and occupant control during the crash.
Technical Measurements – Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max | 2 |
| Footrest | 2 |
| Left toepan | 2 |
| Brake pedal | 2 |
| Parking brake | 4 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 0 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment | |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 1 |
| Upper dash | 1 |
| Lower instrument panel | 2 |
These measurements demonstrate minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment. For example, the maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar was only 2 cm, and there was no intrusion at the steering column. This limited intrusion contributes to maintaining survival space for the driver in a small overlap frontal crash.
| Driver Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 157 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.14 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum compression (mm) | 22 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.5 |
| Right | 0.3 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.35 |
| Right | 0.42 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 2.0 |
| Right | 0.9 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 59 |
| Right | 34 |
The injury measurements are also reassuringly low. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) was 157, well below the threshold for concern. Neck tension and bending moment, chest compression, femur forces, and tibia index are all within safe ranges, further supporting the “Good” rating and indicating a low risk of serious injuries in a driver-side small overlap frontal crash for the 2019 Toyota Camry LE.
Small Overlap Front: Passenger-Side Evaluation
The passenger-side small overlap front test is equally important for overall occupant safety. The 2019 Toyota Camry received a “Good” overall rating in this challenging test as well.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | A |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
Similar to the driver-side, the structure and safety cage earned a “Good” rating. Passenger injury measures for head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were also rated “Good.” However, the passenger restraints and dummy kinematics received an “Acceptable” rating. The report mentions that the dummy’s head moved too far to the right, indicating a potential vulnerability in head protection compared to the driver’s side. Despite this, the side curtain airbag provided sufficient coverage. Driver injury measures remained “Good” across the board.
Action shot from the 2019 Toyota Camry passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.
Post-crash dummy position in the 2019 Toyota Camry passenger-side small overlap test, showing well-maintained survival space.
Close-up of the dummy’s head contacting the frontal airbag but moving towards the gap in airbag coverage during the 2019 Toyota Camry passenger-side small overlap test.
Assessment of leg and feet injury risk for the passenger dummy in the 2019 Toyota Camry passenger-side small overlap test.
Technical Measurements – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max | 4 |
| Footrest | 9 |
| Right toepan | 4 |
| Center toepan | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 1 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment | |
| Center dash | 2 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 3 |
| Upper dash | 4 |
| Right lower dash | 3 |
Intrusion measurements were slightly higher on the passenger side compared to the driver side, particularly at the footrest (9 cm) and upper dash (4 cm). While higher, these intrusion levels still indicate that the occupant survival space was reasonably well maintained.
| Passenger Injury Measures | Measurement | Driver Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Head | ||
| HIC-15 | 189 | HIC-15 | 126 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact | Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | Neck | ||
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 | Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 12 | Extension bending moment (Nm) | 10 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 | Maximum Nij | 0.16 |
| Chest | Chest | ||
| Maximum compression (mm) | 21 | Maximum compression (mm) | 31 |
| Femur (kN) | Femur (kN) | ||
| Left | 0.9 | Left | 0.6 |
| Right | 0.9 | Right | 0.5 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | Knee displacement (mm) | ||
| Left | 3 | Left | 0 |
| Right | 3 | Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | ||
| Left | 0 | Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 | Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | Maximum tibia index | ||
| Left | 0.27 | Left | 0.34 |
| Right | 0.33 | Right | 0.23 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | Tibia axial force (kN) | ||
| Left | 2.4 | Left | 1.2 |
| Right | 1.9 | Right | 0.9 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | Foot acceleration (g) | ||
| Left | 44 | Left | 41 |
| Right | 53 | Right | 37 |
Passenger injury measurements generally remain low, though HIC-15 is slightly higher at 189 compared to the driver side. Chest compression for the driver is higher at 31mm compared to the passenger’s 21mm. Femur forces and tibia index remain low for both driver and passenger sides. Overall, the passenger-side small overlap test results indicate good protection, although with a slightly higher head injury measure and an “Acceptable” rating for passenger restraints compared to the driver’s side.
Moderate Overlap Front: Original Test
In the moderate overlap front test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a deformable barrier. The 2019 Toyota Camry LE again earned a “Good” rating in this common crash scenario.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
The “Good” rating encompasses all aspects, including structure, driver injury measures (head/neck, chest, leg/foot), and driver restraints and dummy kinematics. This signifies robust performance in a moderate frontal impact.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest | 5 |
| Left | 7 |
| Center | 6 |
| Right | 3 |
| Brake pedal | 3 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 1 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward | -1 |
| Rearward | -6 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 1 |
These measurements show moderate footwell intrusion, with the left footwell intruding 7cm. Steering column movement is negative, meaning it moved away from the driver, which is a desirable outcome in a crash. Instrument panel and A-pillar movements are minimal.
| Driver Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 204 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 21 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.27 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum compression (mm) | 26 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 1.1 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.3 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.31 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.51 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.5 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 2.5 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 69 |
| Right | 39 |
Injury measures remain low. HIC-15 is slightly higher than in the small overlap test, but still well within the safe range. Neck, chest, and leg injury measures are all low, confirming the “Good” rating and solid protection in a moderate overlap frontal crash.
Side: Original Test
The side crash test simulates a typical intersection collision. In the original side crash test, the 2019 Toyota Camry LE achieved a “Good” rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
The “Good” rating applies across all categories, for both driver and rear passenger injury measures, and for structure and safety cage. This demonstrates excellent side impact protection for occupants in both the front and rear seats.
Technical Measurements – Original Side Test
| Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -22.0 |
The negative value indicates that the crush stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, demonstrating good structural resistance to side impact.
| Driver Injury Measures | Measurement | Passenger Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 334 | Head HIC-15 | 151 |
| Neck | Neck | ||
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 | Tension (kN) | 0.1 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 | Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder | Shoulder | ||
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 29 | Lateral deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 | Lateral force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Torso | Torso | ||
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 30 | Maximum deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 28 | Average deflection (mm) | 23 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.60 | Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.90 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.34 | Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.22 |
| Pelvis | Pelvis | ||
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.3 | Iliac force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.4 | Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.6 | Combined force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Left femur | Left femur | ||
| L-M force (kN) | 0.4 | L-M force (kN) | 0.2 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 50 | L-M moment (Nm) | 31 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 122 | A-P moment (Nm) | 89 |
Injury measures are generally low for both driver and rear passenger. The driver HIC-15 is higher than the passenger, but still within an acceptable range. All other injury metrics indicate good protection in a side impact crash according to the original test standards.
Side: Updated Test
It is important to note that the IIHS updated its side crash test to be more demanding. The 2019 Toyota Camry LE, when subjected to the updated side crash test (using a 2022 model for testing purposes as ratings apply to 2018-23 models built before February 2023), received a “Poor” overall rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | P |
| Structure and safety cage | A |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | M |
| Pelvis | M |
| Driver head protection | M |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | A |
| Pelvis | P |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
While structure and safety cage achieved an “Acceptable” rating, driver injury measures for torso, pelvis, and driver head protection were “Marginal.” Rear passenger pelvis protection was “Poor.” Driver head protection was specifically noted as “inadequate” because the dummy’s head moved past the side curtain airbag and struck the window sill.
Vehicle condition immediately after the updated side crash test, highlighting impact area.
Damage to the occupant compartment and deployment of side airbags in the 2019 Toyota Camry after the updated side crash test.
Greasepaint smear indicating driver dummy’s head contact with the window sill, bypassing the side curtain airbag, in the updated side crash test of the 2019 Toyota Camry.
Greasepaint on the rear passenger dummy’s head showing effective protection by the side airbags in the updated side crash test of the 2019 Toyota Camry.
Technical Measurements – Updated Side Test
| Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -15.5 |
Intrusion measurement is less negative than in the original side test (-15.5 cm vs -22.0 cm), indicating more intrusion in the updated, more severe test.
| Driver Injury Measures | Measurement | Passenger Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Head | ||
| HIC-15 | 391 | HIC-15 | 168 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 82 | Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | Neck | ||
| Tension (kN) | 1.8 | Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 | Compression (kN) | 0.4 |
| Shoulder | Shoulder | ||
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 47 | Lateral deflection (mm) | 25 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.5 | Lateral force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Torso | Torso | ||
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 41 | Maximum deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 39 | Average deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.61 | Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.57 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.68 | Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.37 |
| Pelvis | Pelvis | ||
| Combined force (kN) | 5.7 | Combined force (kN) | 6.1 |
Driver HIC-15 is significantly higher in the updated test (391 vs 334), and peak gs at hard contact is also present at 82g, indicating head impact. Torso and pelvis injury measures also show higher values compared to the original side test, reflecting the “Marginal” and “Poor” ratings in the updated test. Rear passenger pelvis combined force is also high at 6.1kN, contributing to the “Poor” pelvis rating for the rear passenger.
Roof Strength
The roof strength test measures the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. The 2019 Toyota Camry LE earned a “Good” rating for roof strength.
| Overall Evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,326 lbs |
| Peak force | 18,862 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.67 |
The strength-to-weight ratio of 5.67 significantly exceeds the minimum requirement, confirming a strong roof capable of providing good protection in a rollover scenario.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection in rear-end collisions is evaluated through head restraint and seat design. The 2019 Toyota Camry LE with power cloth seats received a “Good” overall rating for head restraints & seats.
| Overall Evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Both dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good,” indicating effective whiplash protection.
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats
| Seat type | Power cloth seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 20 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 6 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 13.8 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 63 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 281 |
The geometry measurements and low neck forces further support the “Good” rating for whiplash protection.
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime safety. The 2019 Toyota Camry LE comes with LED projector headlights. The IIHS evaluates headlights based on beam distance and glare.
For the LE trim, the headlights received an “Acceptable” rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | A |
While rated “Acceptable,” the detailed evaluation reveals areas for potential improvement, particularly in high beam performance on curves.
Headlight Performance Details – LE Trim
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) | Glare Exceeded Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 96.8 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 51.0 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 62.3 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, right edge | 44.9 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 56.2 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 48.8 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 138.5 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 122.8 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 66.1 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 62.4 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 55.6 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 52.8 m |
Low beam visibility is good on the right straightaway and fair on the left. High beam performance is fair on the straightaway and inadequate on left curves. High-beam assist is noted to compensate for some low beam limitations.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
The 2019 Toyota Camry LE comes standard with Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection. In vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention testing, it earned a “Superior” rating (for 2019-20 models).
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Superior |
The system met forward collision warning requirements and avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
The pedestrian front crash prevention system was also evaluated in daylight conditions and received an “Advanced” rating (for 2019-20 models).
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Advanced |
In tests involving a crossing child and crossing adult, the system significantly reduced impact speed or avoided collision. In a parallel adult scenario, it reduced impact speed and issued a warning.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
For parents installing child seats, the ease of use of LATCH anchors is important. The 2019 Toyota Camry LE received a “Good + extra LATCH positions” rating for child seat anchors.
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G + extra LATCH positions |
| Vehicle trim | LE |
| Seat type | cloth |
The Camry LE has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors. Ease of use for LATCH in positions 1 and 3 is rated as “Good.”
Child Seat Anchor Details
| Position | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tether anchor: easy-to-find location, no confusing hardware. Lower anchors: not too deep, not too much force needed, easy to maneuver around. | |
| 2 | Tether anchor: easy-to-find location, no confusing hardware. Lower anchors: Can be borrowed from 1 and 3. | |
| 3 | Tether anchor: easy-to-find location, no confusing hardware. Lower anchors: not too deep, not too much force needed, easy to maneuver around. |
Technical Measurements – Child Seat Anchors
| Seat Position | Lower Anchor A Details | Lower Anchor B Details | Tether Anchor Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 (Position 3) | Open access, Visible, 1 lb force, 76 degrees clearance | Open access, Visible, 1 lb force, 57 degrees clearance | Rear deck location, No confusing hardware, Contrasting label within 3 inches |
| 22 (Position 2) | Lower latch is shared | Lower latch is shared | Rear deck location, No confusing hardware, Contrasting label within 3 inches |
| 23 (Position 1) | Open access, Visible, 0 lb force, 82 degrees clearance | Open access, Visible, 1 lb force, 80 degrees clearance | Rear deck location, No confusing hardware, Contrasting label within 3 inches |
Conclusion
The 2019 Toyota Camry LE demonstrates strong safety performance in many critical crash tests, achieving “Good” ratings in driver-side and passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraints & seats evaluations. It also boasts “Superior” vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and “Advanced” pedestrian front crash prevention systems. While the updated side crash test resulted in a “Poor” overall rating, and headlights were rated “Acceptable,” the 2019 Toyota Camry LE generally provides a high level of safety for its occupants, especially considering its “Good” ratings in the majority of crashworthiness categories and availability of advanced preventative safety features. For buyers prioritizing safety in a midsize sedan, the 2019 Toyota Camry LE remains a strong contender, though it’s important to be aware of the “Poor” rating in the more stringent updated side crash test.
