The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado is a popular mid-size pickup truck known for its versatility and capability. But when it comes to safety, how does the 2019 Chevy Colorado hold up? This comprehensive guide breaks down the safety ratings for the 2019 Chevy Colorado, providing detailed insights from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
This analysis is based on IIHS crash test results for the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, which share the same platform. It covers various crash scenarios and safety features, giving you a clear picture of the 2019 Colorado’s safety performance.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where just the front corner of the vehicle hits another vehicle or a stationary object.
Rating: Good
For the driver-side small overlap test, the 2019 Chevy Colorado earns a “Good” rating, the highest possible. This rating applies to models from 2017-2022 onwards, as structural improvements were made starting in 2017 to enhance occupant protection in this type of crash.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
| 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 | Good |
Action shot during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.
Post-crash dummy position indicating good maintenance of driver survival space.
Airbag deployment effectively protects the driver’s head in a small overlap crash.
Limited intrusion into the driver’s side footwell, reducing leg and foot injury risks.
Technical Measurements – Driver-Side Small Overlap
| Measurement | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 12 |
| Footrest | 14 |
| Left Toepan | 9 |
| Brake Pedal | 11 |
| Parking Brake | 15 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 3 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Steering Column | 5 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 13 |
| Upper Dash | 11 |
| Lower Instrument Panel | 9 |
| Injury Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 79 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 5 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.21 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum Compression (mm) | 19 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 2.7 |
| Right | 2.0 |
| Knee Displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 5 |
| Right | 9 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index | |
| Left | 0.39 |
| Right | 0.74 |
| Tibia Axial Force (kN) | |
| Left | 3.9 |
| Right | 2.2 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 98 |
| Right | 67 |
Learn more about the small overlap front test
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
In contrast to the driver-side, the passenger-side small overlap test of the 2019 Chevy Colorado reveals a different outcome. While the driver-side was reinforced starting in 2017, the passenger side did not receive the same structural enhancements.
Rating: Marginal
The 2019 Chevy Colorado earns a “Marginal” rating for passenger-side small overlap crash protection. This lower rating is primarily due to structural issues.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Marginal |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Poor |
| Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Lower Leg/Foot | Marginal |
| Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good |
Action shot from the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.
Post-crash dummy position showing passenger survival space was not well-maintained.
Airbags effectively protect the passenger’s head, despite structural deficiencies.
Extensive intrusion into the passenger footwell leading to higher injury risks.
Technical Measurements – Passenger-Side Small Overlap
| Measurement | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 26 |
| Footrest | 24 |
| Right Toepan | 13 |
| Center Toepan | 9 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 0 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Center Dash | 15 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 21 |
| Upper Dash | 19 |
| Right Lower Dash | 17 |
| Injury Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 113 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 12 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum Compression (mm) | 17 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 4.9 |
| Right | 5.2 |
| Knee Displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 15 |
| Right | 15 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (%) | |
| Left | 3 |
| Right | 5 |
| Maximum Tibia Index | |
| Left | 0.88 |
| Right | 1.14 |
| Tibia Axial Force (kN) | |
| Left | 3.2 |
| Right | 5.7 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 70 |
| Right | 123 |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head HIC-15 | 50 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.5 |
| Chest Compression (mm) | 23 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.0 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.1 |
| Tibia Axial Force Left (kN) | 0.9 |
| Tibia Axial Force Right (kN) | 1.0 |
Learn more about the small overlap front test
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
The moderate overlap front test involves 40% of the vehicle’s front width hitting a deformable barrier.
Rating: Good
The 2019 Chevy Colorado achieves a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front test. This rating is based on tests of the GMC Canyon, a structurally similar vehicle.
| 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 | Good |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good |
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front
| Measurement | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footwell Intrusion | |
| Footrest | 4 |
| Left | 5 |
| Center | 6 |
| Right | 6 |
| Brake Pedal | 2 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Steering Column Movement | |
| Upward | -1 |
| Rearward | -4 |
| A-Pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
| Injury Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 210 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 16 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum Compression (mm) | 26 |
| Legs | |
| Femur Force – Left (kN) | 2.2 |
| Femur Force – Right (kN) | 0.7 |
| Knee Displacement – Left (mm) | 9 |
| Knee Displacement – Right (mm) | 2 |
| Maximum Tibia Index – Left | 0.60 |
| Maximum Tibia Index – Right | 0.25 |
| Tibia Axial Force – Left (kN) | 2.4 |
| Tibia Axial Force – Right (kN) | 1.8 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 90 |
| Right | 63 |
Learn more about the moderate overlap front test
Side Crash Test: Original and Updated
The side crash test evaluates occupant protection in a side impact scenario. The IIHS has both original and updated side crash tests. The 2019 Chevy Colorado is rated under both.
Original Side Test Rating: Good
Updated Side Test Rating: Good
Both the original and updated side crash tests resulted in “Good” ratings for the 2019 Chevy Colorado, indicating strong side impact protection. The updated test is more stringent, using a heavier barrier and assessing more potential injury areas.
Original Side Test
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/Leg | Good |
| Driver Head Protection | Good |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/Leg | Good |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | Good |
Vehicle and barrier interaction during the original side crash test.
Side airbags deployed and occupant compartment damage after the original side crash.
Greasepaint showing driver dummy head protection by side curtain airbag.
Greasepaint showing rear passenger head protection by side airbag.
Technical Measurements – Original Side Test
| Measurement (Driver Side) | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-Pillar to Longitudinal Centerline of Driver Seat | -21.0 |
| Injury Measure (Driver) | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 183 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.7 |
| Torso Max Deflection (mm) | 36 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 3.8 |
| Injury Measure (Passenger) | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 85 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Torso Max Deflection (mm) | 35 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 1.5 |
Learn more about the original side crash test
Updated Side Test
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Acceptable |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis | Acceptable |
| Driver Head Protection | Good |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis | Good |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | Good |
Vehicle condition after the updated side crash test.
Side airbag deployment and damage post-updated side crash test.
Greasepaint showing driver dummy head protection in the updated side crash test.
Greasepaint indicating rear passenger head protection in the updated side crash test.
Technical Measurements – Updated Side Test
| Measurement (Driver Side) | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-Pillar to Longitudinal Centerline of Driver Seat | -16.0 |
| Injury Measure (Driver) | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 69 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.4 |
| Torso Max Deflection (mm) | 27 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 4.1 |
| Injury Measure (Passenger) | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 171 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.9 |
| Torso Max Deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 3.1 |
Learn more about the side crash test
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test measures how well the roof can withstand forces in a rollover crash.
Rating: Good
The 2019 Chevy Colorado earns a “Good” rating for roof strength, indicating it can withstand more than five times its weight in a rollover scenario.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
| Curb Weight | 4,162 lbs |
| Peak Force | 21,460 lbs |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | 5.16 |
Learn more about the roof strength test
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection in rear-end collisions is assessed through seat and head restraint evaluations.
Rating: Good
The 2019 Chevy Colorado’s head restraints and seats receive a “Good” rating for whiplash protection.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
| Dynamic Rating | Good |
| Seat/Head Restraint Geometry | Good |
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 26 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 34 |
| Max T1 Acceleration (g) | 11.5 |
| Head Contact Time (ms) | 60 |
| Max Neck Shear Force (N) | 15 |
| Max Neck Tension (N) | 414 |
Learn more about the head restraint & seat test
Headlights
Headlight performance is crucial for nighttime safety. The IIHS rates headlights as Poor, Marginal, Acceptable, or Good.
Rating: Poor
For both headlight variations tested on the 2019 Chevy Colorado (Z71/LT with Luxury package and Base/WT/LT trims), the overall headlight rating is “Poor”. This indicates significant deficiencies in illumination and excessive glare in some configurations.
Headlight Ratings by Trim
Z71 trim / LT trim with Luxury package: Poor
Base trim / WT trim / LT trim: Poor
Key Headlight Issues:
- Low beams: Inadequate visibility on curves and excessive glare in the Z71/Luxury Package trim.
- High beams: Inadequate visibility on straightaways and curves in both trims.
Learn more about the headlight evaluation
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems help avoid or mitigate frontal collisions.
Rating: Basic (with optional Forward Collision Alert)
The 2019 Chevy Colorado offers an optional Forward Collision Alert system, earning a “Basic” rating for front crash prevention. Automatic emergency braking is not available.
System Details:
- Optional Forward Collision Alert (part of the Safety Package)
- Forward collision warning meets requirements.
- Autobrake not available.
Learn more about front crash prevention tests
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) is evaluated for ease of use.
Rating: Marginal
The 2019 Chevy Colorado receives a “Marginal” rating for its LATCH system. While it has LATCH hardware in multiple rear seating positions, usability issues exist.
LATCH System Details:
- 2 rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware.
- 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.
- Lower anchors are rated as too deep in the seat and hard to locate.
- Tether anchors are hard to find and can be confused with other hardware.
Learn more about child seat anchor evaluation
Conclusion: 2019 Chevy Colorado Safety
The 2019 Chevy Colorado demonstrates a mixed bag of safety performance. It excels in some areas, particularly driver-side small overlap, moderate overlap, side crash tests, roof strength, and head restraints. However, it falls short in passenger-side small overlap protection, headlight performance, and LATCH system ease of use.
Key Takeaways for 2019 Chevy Colorado Safety:
- Strengths: Excellent driver-side small overlap, moderate overlap, and side crash protection. Good roof strength and head restraints.
- Weaknesses: Marginal passenger-side small overlap performance, poor headlight ratings, and marginal LATCH system usability.
- Considerations: While driver safety is well-addressed, passenger-side small overlap and headlight issues should be considered, especially for families or those frequently driving with passengers or at night.
Overall, the 2019 Chevy Colorado provides a decent level of safety, but potential buyers should be aware of its weaker points, particularly the passenger-side small overlap performance and poor headlight ratings. For more detailed information, always refer to the official IIHS reports and consider these ratings in your vehicle purchasing decision.
