The Chevrolet Impala, a staple in the full-size sedan market, underwent redesigns for the 2014 model year, with crucial front-end structure modifications and door sill reinforcement implemented from the 2015 model year onwards to enhance occupant safety in small overlap frontal crashes. This article delves into the safety performance of the 2019 Chevy Impala, drawing upon the rigorous crash testing and evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We will examine various crash scenarios, including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impacts, roof strength, head restraints, headlight performance, front crash prevention, and child seat anchor ease of use. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide a detailed understanding of the 2019 Impala’s safety capabilities, crucial for informed decisions by prospective buyers and automotive enthusiasts alike.
Small Overlap Front: Driver-Side Test
The 2019 Chevy Impala, as part of the 2015-2020 model range, was subjected to the IIHS small overlap front crash test, focusing on the driver’s side. This test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier, a particularly challenging scenario for vehicle structures.
| 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 results indicate an “Acceptable” rating for both structure and safety cage, and driver restraints and kinematics. Critically, while injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were all rated “Good,” the dummy’s head unfortunately slid off the frontal airbag on the left side. Despite this, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively, offering sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from side structure and external object contact. The side torso airbag also functioned as intended.
The structural performance in this demanding test is further illustrated by technical measurements of occupant compartment intrusion.
Technical measurements for Small Overlap Front Test
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1709 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 11 |
| Footrest (cm) | 8 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 1 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 3 |
| Parking brake (cm) | |
| 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 in Small Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1709 |
| 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 |
The post-crash analysis of the dummy’s position relative to the vehicle structure, including the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel, indicated that the driver’s survival space was reasonably maintained. This is a positive sign for occupant protection in similar real-world crash scenarios for the 2019 Chevrolet Impala.
However, the issue of the dummy’s head sliding off the frontal airbag, moving into the gap between the frontal and side curtain airbags, raises a point of concern. This highlights an area for potential improvement in airbag design and deployment strategy for the 2019 Chevy Impala and similar vehicles.
Despite the airbag issue, the driver’s space was maintained reasonably well, and the risk of injuries to the dummy’s legs and feet was assessed as low, as corroborated by the technical measurements.
Moderate Overlap Front: Original Test
The 2019 Chevy Impala, carrying forward the design from the 2014 model year, also underwent the IIHS moderate overlap front test. This test represents a more common type of frontal collision where a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end engages with the barrier. The ratings for this test are based on assessments conducted by General Motors and assigned by the IIHS.
| 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 |
In the moderate overlap front test, the 2019 Chevy Impala achieved a “Good” overall rating. All aspects were rated “Good” except for the right leg/foot injury measure, which received an “Acceptable” rating. This indicates robust performance in this more conventional frontal crash scenario.
Technical measurements for Moderate Overlap Front Test
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1225 |
| 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 in Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1225 |
| 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: Original Test
The side impact test evaluates the 2019 Chevy Impala‘s ability to protect occupants in a T-bone style collision. This test was conducted on a 2014 Chevrolet Impala LT 4-door model, equipped with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and seat-mounted torso airbags, relevant to the 2019 Impala as the design remained consistent in this aspect. Like the moderate overlap front test, side impact ratings are assigned by IIHS based on tests performed by General Motors.
| 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 earned a “Good” overall rating in the side impact test. Driver injury measures were mostly “Good,” with the torso protection rated as “Acceptable.” Both driver and rear passenger head protection were rated “Good,” along with rear passenger injury measures being entirely “Good.”
Technical measurements for Side Impact Test
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | VTS1233 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -19.5 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
Driver injury measures in Side Impact Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1233 |
| 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 in Side Impact Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1233 |
| 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
Roof strength is another critical safety aspect, particularly in rollover accidents. The 2019 Chevy Impala‘s roof strength was evaluated, and the rating applies to the 2014-2020 models, ensuring relevance for the 2019 model year.
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,745 lbs |
| Peak force | 16,836 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.50 |
The 2019 Chevrolet Impala achieved a “Good” rating in roof strength. The strength-to-weight ratio of 4.50 signifies that the roof can withstand over four times the vehicle’s weight before significant crush, indicating a strong roof structure.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection is crucial in rear-end collisions, and head restraints play a vital role. The 2019 Chevy Impala‘s head restraints and seats were evaluated, focusing on power leather seats.
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good |
The 2019 Chevy Impala earned a “Good” overall rating for head restraints and seats, encompassing both dynamic performance and seat/head restraint geometry.
Technical measurements for 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 vital for nighttime driving safety. The IIHS evaluates headlights based on illumination and glare. The 2019 Chevy Impala headlight ratings are provided for two different headlight variations: Premier trim and LS/LT trims. Both headlight systems received a “Poor” overall rating.
Headlights: Premier Trim
- Premier trim features HID projector headlights for both low and high beams.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Poor |
Headlight Performance: Premier Trim
Low beams: Visibility was inadequate on straightaways and both left curves, and only fair on right curves. Glare was within acceptable limits.
High beams: Visibility was fair on the right side of straightaways but inadequate on the left straightaway and all curves.
Technical measurements for Headlights – Premier Trim
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Trim level(s) | – Premier trim |
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating Applies to 2017-20 models | Poor |
| 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 |
Headlights: LS and LT Trims
- LS and LT trims utilize Halogen projector headlights for both low and high beams.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Poor |
Headlight Performance: LS/LT Trims
Low beams: Visibility was inadequate on straightaways and all curves. Glare was not exceeded.
High beams: Visibility was inadequate on straightaways and all curves.
Technical measurements for Headlights – LS/LT Trims
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Trim level(s) | – LS trim – LT trim |
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating Applies to 2017-20 models | Poor |
| 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 |
Both headlight systems available on the 2019 Chevy Impala received “Poor” ratings, indicating a significant area for potential improvement in visibility during nighttime driving.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are increasingly important for mitigating or avoiding frontal collisions. The 2019 Chevy Impala offers optional front crash prevention features, with ratings varying based on the specific system and package.
Front Crash Prevention with Optional Premier Confidence Package
- Includes Forward Automatic Braking and Forward Collision Alert.
- Applicable to 2018-19 models, thus relevant for the 2019 Chevy Impala.
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Superior with optional equipment |
The 2019 Chevy Impala, when equipped with the optional Premier Confidence Package, achieves a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention. The system meets forward collision warning requirements and demonstrated collision avoidance at 12 mph and a significant speed reduction of 10 mph in a 25 mph test.
Front Crash Prevention with Optional Driver Confidence Package
- Includes Optional Forward Collision Alert.
- Applicable to 2016-19 models, relevant for the 2019 Chevy Impala.
| Overall evaluation | Basic |
|---|---|
| Basic with optional equipment |
With the optional Driver Confidence Package, the 2019 Chevy Impala receives a “Basic” rating for front crash prevention. This system includes forward collision warning, but autobrake functionality is not available.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Ease of use of child seat anchors (LATCH) is crucial for parents installing car seats correctly. The 2019 Chevy Impala‘s LATCH system was evaluated for the 2015-2020 models.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Acceptable |
| Vehicle trim | 1LS |
| Seat type | cloth |
The 2019 Chevy Impala received an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH ease of use. It features two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors.
Child Seat Anchor Ratings
| Position | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
| Lower anchors | |
| too deep in seat | |
| not too much force needed to attach | |
| easy to maneuver around anchors | |
| 2 | |
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
| Lower anchors | |
| 1 dedicated anchor and 1 that can be borrowed from seat 3 | |
| too deep in seat | |
| not too much force needed to attach | |
| difficult to maneuver around anchors | |
| 3 | |
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
| Lower anchors | |
| too deep in seat | |
| not too much force needed to attach | |
| easy to maneuver around anchors |
Technical measurements for Child Seat Anchors
Seat position 21
3
| Lower anchor A |
|---|
| Open access rated |
| Depth (cm) |
| Force (lbs) |
| Clearance angle (degrees) |
| Lower anchor B |
| Open access rated |
| Depth (cm) |
| Force (lbs) |
| Clearance angle (degrees) |
| Tether anchor |
| Location |
| Confusing hardware present |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH |
Seat position 22
2
| Lower anchor A |
|---|
| Lower latch is shared for this seat position |
| Lower anchor B |
| Open access rated |
| Depth (cm) |
| Force (lbs) |
| Clearance angle (degrees) |
| Tether anchor |
| Location |
| Confusing hardware present |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH |
Seat position 23
1
| Lower anchor A |
|---|
| Open access rated |
| Depth (cm) |
| Force (lbs) |
| Clearance angle (degrees) |
| Lower anchor B |
| Open access rated |
| Depth (cm) |
| Force (lbs) |
| Clearance angle (degrees) |
| Tether anchor |
| Location |
| Confusing hardware present |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH |
The “Acceptable” rating reflects some challenges, such as lower anchors being deep in the seat and, for certain positions, difficult to maneuver around.
Conclusion
The 2019 Chevy Impala demonstrates a solid overall safety performance, achieving “Good” ratings in moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraints tests. It also offers “Superior” front crash prevention with the optional Premier Confidence Package. However, the “Acceptable” rating in the small overlap front test and “Poor” headlight ratings indicate areas needing attention. Specifically, the airbag performance in small overlap crashes and the inadequate headlight illumination are points to consider for potential buyers focused on maximum safety. Despite these points, the 2019 Chevrolet Impala remains a reasonably safe vehicle in most crash scenarios, especially when equipped with optional safety features.
