The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas emerged as a popular SUV, especially for families needing space and versatility. But beyond its size and features, safety is a paramount concern for car buyers. This comprehensive guide dives into the safety ratings of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, providing a detailed analysis of its crashworthiness and preventative safety technologies based on rigorous testing.
Decoding the Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver’s Side
The small overlap front crash test is designed to simulate what happens when the corner of a vehicle collides with a narrow object like a tree or pole. For the driver-side assessment of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, the results were impressive.
The Atlas earned a “Good” rating, the highest possible, in the small overlap front: driver-side test. Crucially, the structure and safety cage of the vehicle held up exceptionally well during the impact, also earning a “Good” rating. This structural integrity is vital in maintaining survival space for the driver in a severe crash.
All driver injury measures – head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot – were 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 the effectiveness of the seatbelts and airbags in controlling the driver’s movement during the crash.
Technical data from the test reinforces these positive ratings. Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion were minimal, with maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar reaching 8 cm. Driver injury measures were also low, with a Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) of 516 and chest maximum compression of 23 mm. Importantly, there was no head contact with hard surfaces, further demonstrating the effectiveness of the safety systems.
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Frontal Test: Ensuring Occupant Safety
Extending the safety evaluation to the passenger side, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas again demonstrated excellent crash protection in the small overlap frontal test.
Mirroring the driver-side results, the overall evaluation for the passenger-side small overlap test was “Good.” The structure and safety cage maintained their integrity (“Good”), and all passenger injury measures (head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, lower leg/foot) received “Good” ratings. The passenger restraints and dummy kinematics were also rated “Good.”
Interestingly, driver injury measures were also assessed in this passenger-side test and all categories again received “Good” ratings, highlighting consistent safety performance across the front seating positions.
Technical measurements for the passenger side test were also favorable. Occupant compartment intrusion was slightly more pronounced on the passenger side compared to the driver’s side, with a maximum of 9 cm at the lower hinge pillar, but still within acceptable limits. Passenger injury measures remained low, with a HIC-15 of 397 and chest compression of 19 mm. Driver injury measures were even lower in this passenger-side test, with a HIC-15 of just 205 and chest compression of 29 mm.
Moderate Overlap Front: Original Test – A Solid Performance
The moderate overlap frontal test simulates a more common type of frontal collision, where a significant portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts another vehicle or object. The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas performed admirably in this test as well.
The overall evaluation for the moderate overlap front test was “Good.” The structure and safety cage again earned a “Good” rating, and all driver injury measures (head/neck, chest, leg/foot – left & right) were also rated “Good.” Driver restraints and dummy kinematics were again rated “Good,” indicating effective occupant control.
Technical measurements showed minimal occupant compartment intrusion. Footwell intrusion measurements ranged from 8 to 10 cm, and instrument panel and steering column movement were minimal. Driver injury measures were well within safe parameters, with a HIC-15 of 243 and chest compression of 30 mm.
Side Impact Safety: Original and Updated Tests
Side impacts pose a significant risk of injury, and the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas underwent both original and updated side impact tests to evaluate its protection in these scenarios.
In the original side test, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas achieved an overall “Good” rating. The structure and safety cage held up well (“Good”), and all driver and rear passenger injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg) were rated “Good.” Driver and rear passenger head protection were also rated “Good,” highlighting the effectiveness of the side airbags.
However, in the updated side test, which uses a heavier barrier and more closely simulates a real-world side impact, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas still maintained an overall “Good” rating, but the pelvis injury measure for the driver was downgraded to “Marginal.” All other driver and rear passenger injury measures and head protection remained “Good.”
Technical measurements from the updated side test showed B-pillar intrusion of 29.5 cm. Driver injury measures were generally low, except for the pelvis combined force, which was higher compared to other injury metrics. Greasepaint markings on the dummy heads confirmed effective head protection from the side airbags for both driver and rear passenger.
Roof Strength: Protecting Occupants in Rollover Accidents
Roof strength is critical for occupant protection in rollover crashes. The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas earned a “Good” rating in the roof strength test. With a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.29, the Atlas demonstrated a robust roof capable of withstanding significant force relative to its weight.
Head Restraints and Seats: Whiplash Protection
Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end collisions. The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas’s head restraints and seats were evaluated and received an overall “Good” rating for dynamic performance and seat/head restraint geometry, indicating effective whiplash protection.
Headlights: Mixed Performance Across Trims
Headlight performance is crucial for nighttime visibility and accident prevention. The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas headlight ratings varied depending on the trim level.
The SEL Premium trim with LED reflector headlights and high-beam assist received a “Marginal” overall rating. Low beam visibility was fair on the left straightaway but inadequate on the right, and inadequate on curves. High beam visibility was fair on straightaways but inadequate on curves. High-beam assist offered some compensation for low beam limitations.
Lower trims (SE, SEL, S, SE with Technology) with LED reflector headlights but without high-beam assist received a “Poor” overall rating. Low and high beam performance was similar to the SEL Premium trim in terms of visibility, but without the high-beam assist, the overall rating was lower.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle – Superior Rating
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas’s Front Assist system with Autonomous Emergency Braking was rated “Superior” for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. The system met forward collision warning requirements and avoided a collision in a 12 mph test. In a 25 mph test, the system reduced the impact speed by 17 mph.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH): Marginal Rating for Ease of Use
The child seat anchor system (LATCH) in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas received a “Marginal” overall rating for ease of use. While the Atlas has LATCH hardware in three rear seating positions and tether anchors in additional positions, the lower anchors were noted as being too deep in the seat and requiring too much force to attach in some positions.
Conclusion: The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas – A Safe Choice for Families
Overall, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas demonstrates strong safety performance, particularly in crashworthiness. It earned “Good” ratings in most crash tests, providing solid occupant protection in various collision scenarios. While the updated side test revealed a “Marginal” rating for driver pelvis injury and headlight ratings varied by trim, the Atlas stands as a generally safe vehicle, especially excelling in front and roof crash protection. Its “Superior” front crash prevention system further enhances its safety profile, making the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas a compelling option for safety-conscious buyers.
