The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas marked a significant entry for Volkswagen into the competitive mid-size SUV market. For families and individuals prioritizing safety, understanding how a vehicle performs in crash tests is crucial. This article delves into the safety ratings of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, providing a comprehensive overview of its performance in various evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The Volkswagen Atlas, since its introduction in 2018, has been a popular choice, and the ratings discussed here also extend to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, which debuted in 2020. While the Cross Sport offers a similar foundation to the Atlas, it distinguishes itself with a two-row seating configuration instead of the Atlas’s three rows.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver’s Side
The small overlap front crash test is designed to simulate what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or a stationary object like a tree or pole. This test is particularly challenging for vehicles because it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures in the front of the car.
Driver-Side Performance
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas performed admirably in the driver-side small overlap front test, achieving a “Good” rating, the highest possible. Let’s break down the evaluation criteria:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 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 signifies that the Atlas’s structure held up well during the impact, maintaining the driver’s survival space. Injury measures recorded on the crash test dummy were also positive across all body regions.
Action shot during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, showcasing the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas’s structural integrity.
Dummy positioning after the driver-side small overlap crash test of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, demonstrating a well-maintained driver survival space.
Effective airbag deployment in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas during the driver-side small overlap test, preventing head contact with rigid structures.
Low injury risk to legs and feet in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas driver-side small overlap test, indicating good lower extremity protection.
Technical Data – Driver-Side Small Overlap
The technical measurements from the driver-side test provide granular data on the Atlas’s performance:
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 8 |
| Footrest (cm) | 8 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 6 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 4 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 2 |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 4 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 6 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 7 |
These measurements indicate the extent of intrusion into the occupant compartment. Lower numbers are better, signifying less intrusion and better protection of the occupant space.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| HIC-15 | 516 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 2.0 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 9 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.35 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 23 |
| Femur (kN) Left | 3.1 |
| Femur (kN) Right | 0.0 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Left | 8 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Left | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.46 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.50 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Left | 2.1 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Right | 0.7 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Left | 77 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Right | 115 |
These injury measures reflect the forces and accelerations experienced by the crash test dummy, providing insights into potential injury risks.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
The passenger-side small overlap test mirrors the driver-side test but evaluates the protection offered to the front passenger.
Passenger-Side Performance
Similar to the driver’s side, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas earned a “Good” rating for passenger-side small overlap performance.
| 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 | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
This consistent “Good” rating across both sides of the vehicle in the small overlap test highlights the robust structural design of the 2019 Atlas.
Passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test in action for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, demonstrating structural resilience.
Post-crash dummy position in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas passenger-side small overlap test, illustrating well-maintained passenger survival space.
Effective airbag deployment in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas passenger-side small overlap test, ensuring passenger head protection.
Low leg and foot injury risk for the passenger in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas passenger-side small overlap test, reflecting good lower extremity safety.
Technical Data – Passenger-Side Small Overlap
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 9 |
| Footrest (cm) | 14 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 11 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 7 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 4 |
| Center dash (cm) | 3 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 6 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 6 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 7 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| HIC-15 | 397 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.4 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 15 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.26 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 19 |
| Femur (kN) Left | 0.9 |
| Femur (kN) Right | 4.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Left | 7 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Right | 3 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Left | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Right | 2 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.60 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.78 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Left | 3.4 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Right | 2.7 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Left | 105 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Right | 43 |
Driver Injury Measures (Passenger-Side Test)
Interestingly, the passenger-side small overlap test also assesses driver injury measures, providing additional data points.
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| HIC-15 | 205 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 14 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.16 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 29 |
| Femur (kN) Left | 0.1 |
| Femur (kN) Right | 0.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Left | 0 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Left | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.29 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.47 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Left | 1.3 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Right | 0.4 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Left | 46 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Right | 65 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
In the moderate overlap front test, a vehicle travels at 40 mph towards a deformable barrier. Forty percent of the vehicle’s width strikes the barrier on the driver side. This test represents a common type of serious crash.
Performance in Moderate Overlap Test
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas achieved another “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front test.
| 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 |
This result reinforces the Atlas’s strong frontal crash protection for its occupants.
Technical Data – Moderate Overlap Front
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Footrest (cm) | 8 |
| Left (cm) | 10 |
| Center (cm) | 9 |
| Right (cm) | 8 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 6 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Left (cm) | 1 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement Upward (cm) | 2 |
| Steering column movement Rearward (cm) | -5 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| HIC-15 | 243 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.5 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 9 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.27 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 30 |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 2.1 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.3 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.48 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.74 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.6 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 2.2 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Left | 95 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Right | 88 |
Side Crash Tests: Original and Updated
The side crash test evaluates the protection offered to occupants in side-impact collisions. The IIHS has both an original side test and an updated, more stringent test.
Original Side Test Performance
In the original side crash test, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas once again 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 |
Technical Data – Original Side Test
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -32.0 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 63 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.4 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 23 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 21 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 18 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.14 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.17 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.3 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 3.5 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 40 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 16 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 57 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.1 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 17 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 34 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 21 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.73 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.49 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 1.9 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 29 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 16 |
Updated Side Test Performance
In the more challenging updated side test, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas continued to perform well overall, achieving a “Good” overall rating, though with a “Marginal” rating for driver pelvis injury.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis | M |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Vehicle condition immediately following the updated side crash test, demonstrating impact absorption and structural integrity.
Side airbags deployed and occupant compartment damage revealed in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas after the updated side crash test, showcasing safety features and impact zones.
Greasepaint marking driver dummy head protection from side airbags in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas updated side crash test, indicating effective head protection.
Greasepaint marking rear passenger dummy head protection from side airbags in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas updated side crash test, demonstrating rear passenger head safety.
Technical Data – Updated Side Test
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -29.5 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 42 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 21 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.01 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.26 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 5.4 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 163 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 11 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.29 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.53 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 3.8 |
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test measures how well the roof can withstand forces in a rollover crash.
Roof Strength Performance
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas earned a “Good” rating for roof strength.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,551 lbs |
| Peak force | 24,091 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.29 |
A good strength-to-weight ratio indicates a strong roof capable of protecting occupants in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Head restraints and seats are evaluated for their ability to protect against neck injuries in rear-end collisions.
Head Restraints & Seats Performance
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas received a “Good” rating for head restraints and seats.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Technical Data – Head Restraints & Seats
| Seat type | Power leatherette seat |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 38 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | -8 |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 11.0 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 65 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 22 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 334 |
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime driving safety. IIHS evaluates headlights based on visibility and glare.
Headlight Ratings
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas has two different headlight variations, and their ratings differ significantly.
SEL Premium Trim Headlights: Rated “Marginal” (M)
- Low-beam headlight type: LED reflector
- High-beam headlight type: LED reflector
- Curve-adaptive?: No
- High-beam assist?: Yes
SE, SEL, S, SE with Technology Trim Headlights: Rated “Poor” (P)
- Low-beam headlight type: LED reflector
- High-beam headlight type: LED reflector
- Curve-adaptive?: No
- High-beam assist?: No
The “Marginal” and “Poor” ratings indicate that headlight performance is an area for potential improvement in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, particularly in lower trims.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are designed to help drivers avoid or mitigate frontal collisions.
Front Crash Prevention Rating
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas with standard Front Assist (with Autonomous Emergency Braking) earned a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
- Forward Collision Warning: Meets requirements
- 12 mph test: Collision Avoided
- 25 mph test: Impact speed reduced by 17 mph
This “Superior” rating demonstrates the effectiveness of the Atlas’s automatic emergency braking system in preventing or reducing the severity of frontal crashes.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors (LATCH) are evaluated for their ease of use.
LATCH System Rating
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas received a “Marginal” (M) rating for its LATCH system.
| Overall evaluation | M |
|---|---|
| Vehicle trim | SE w/ Technology |
| Seat type | leatherette |
While the Atlas has LATCH hardware in multiple seating positions, the “Marginal” rating suggests challenges in ease of use, particularly due to lower anchors being deeply set in the seats and requiring excessive force to attach.
Conclusion: 2019 Volkswagen Atlas Safety
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas showcases strong crashworthiness, earning “Good” ratings in most IIHS crash tests, including the demanding small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength tests. Its “Superior” front crash prevention system is another significant safety plus.
However, areas for improvement include headlight performance, which ranges from “Marginal” to “Poor” depending on trim, and the “Marginal” rating for child seat anchor ease of use.
Overall, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is a safe SUV, particularly in crash protection and front crash prevention. Prospective buyers should be aware of the headlight and LATCH system ratings when making their purchase decision.
