The Chevrolet Colorado 2019, a mid-size pickup truck, has undergone rigorous testing to evaluate its safety performance and ensure occupant protection. This detailed review analyzes the crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), providing a comprehensive understanding of the vehicle’s safety strengths and weaknesses. This analysis is crucial for potential buyers and automotive enthusiasts interested in the safety aspects of the Chevrolet Colorado 2019.
Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Superior Performance
The Chevrolet Colorado 2019 demonstrates robust driver-side protection in the small overlap frontal crash test. This test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier, a challenging scenario for many vehicles.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable (A) |
| Head/neck injury | Good (G) |
| Chest injury | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh injury | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot injury | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The ratings reveal “Good” protection for critical areas like the head, neck, chest, hip, thigh, and lower leg/foot for the driver. The vehicle’s structure and safety cage were rated “Acceptable,” indicating a generally sound structural design in this demanding crash scenario. The driver restraints and dummy kinematics also performed admirably, earning a “Good” rating, signifying effective airbag deployment and occupant control.
Action shot during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, showcasing the impact dynamics on the Chevrolet Colorado.
Post-crash dummy position in the driver’s seat indicates good maintenance of survival space within the Chevrolet Colorado after a small overlap frontal crash.
Effective deployment of frontal and side curtain airbags in the Chevrolet Colorado during the driver-side small overlap test, protecting the occupant’s head.
Controlled intrusion into the driver’s space in the Chevrolet Colorado during the small overlap crash, minimizing leg and foot injury risks.
Technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test further support these positive ratings, demonstrating limited intrusion into the occupant compartment and low injury measures recorded on the crash test dummy.
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Room for Improvement
In contrast to the driver-side performance, the Chevrolet Colorado 2019 received a “Marginal” overall rating in the passenger-side small overlap front crash test. While the passenger injury measures remained largely “Good,” the structural performance and overall evaluation were less favorable.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Marginal (M) |
| Structure and safety cage | Poor (P) |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck injury | Good (G) |
| Chest injury | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh injury | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot injury | Marginal (M) |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck injury | Good (G) |
| Chest injury | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh injury | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot injury | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The “Poor” rating for structure and safety cage is a significant concern, indicating that the passenger side of the vehicle is more vulnerable in this type of crash. Although head, neck, chest, and hip/thigh protection for the passenger were rated “Good,” lower leg/foot injury risk was “Marginal,” highlighting a potential weakness in lower extremity protection for the front passenger.
Action shot of the Chevrolet Colorado during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test, showing the vehicle’s deformation.
Passenger dummy position post-crash in the Chevrolet Colorado, indicating compromised survival space in the passenger-side small overlap test.
Frontal and side curtain airbags effectively protected the passenger’s head in the Chevrolet Colorado during the passenger-side small overlap crash.
Extensive intrusion into the passenger space of the Chevrolet Colorado in the small overlap test, contributing to potential leg injuries.
Technical data from the passenger-side test reveals substantial intrusion into the passenger compartment, especially in the lower hinge pillar, toepan, and door hinge pillar areas. This intrusion likely contributed to the increased risk of lower leg injuries for the passenger dummy.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: “Good” Overall Rating
The Chevrolet Colorado 2019 earned a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front crash test. This test, simulating a more common type of frontal collision, indicates solid protection for the driver in a significant frontal impact.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Head/neck injury | Good (G) |
| Chest injury | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, left injury | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, right injury | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
All measured injury criteria for the driver, including head/neck, chest, and leg/foot, were rated “Good.” The vehicle’s structure also held up well in this test, contributing to the overall “Good” rating.
Technical measurements confirm minimal intrusion into the driver’s footwell and occupant compartment, further supporting the “Good” safety rating in a moderate overlap frontal crash.
Side Impact Tests: “Good” Ratings in Both Original and Updated Tests
The Chevrolet Colorado 2019 performed strongly in side impact crash tests, achieving “Good” ratings in both the original and updated side impact tests.
Original Side Impact Test:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck injury | Good (G) |
| Torso injury | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg injury | Good (G) |
| Driver head protection | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck injury | Good (G) |
| Torso injury | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg injury | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good (G) |
Updated Side Impact Test:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable (A) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck injury | Good (G) |
| Torso injury | Good (G) |
| Pelvis injury | Acceptable (A) |
| Driver head protection | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck injury | Good (G) |
| Torso injury | Good (G) |
| Pelvis injury | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good (G) |
In both tests, all injury measures for both driver and rear passenger were rated “Good,” except for “Acceptable” ratings for structure and safety cage and driver pelvis injury in the updated test. These “Good” ratings across both side impact scenarios demonstrate effective side impact protection for occupants.
View of the Chevrolet Colorado and the crash barrier immediately after the side impact test.
Side airbags deployed and occupant compartment damage in the Chevrolet Colorado after the side impact crash test.
Greasepaint on the side curtain airbag shows effective driver head protection in the Chevrolet Colorado side impact test.
Side airbag protection for the rear passenger’s head is demonstrated by greasepaint markings in the Chevrolet Colorado side impact test.
Chevrolet Colorado post-crash view from the updated side impact test, showing structural integrity.
Occupant compartment damage and side airbag deployment in the updated Chevrolet Colorado side impact crash test.
Driver head protection demonstrated by greasepaint on the side airbag in the updated Chevrolet Colorado side impact test.
Rear passenger head protection from the side airbag in the updated Chevrolet Colorado side impact test.
Technical measurements from both side impact tests indicate minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment, reinforcing the “Good” safety performance.
Roof Strength Test: “Good” Rating
The Chevrolet Colorado 2019 achieved a “Good” rating in the roof strength test, indicating a strong roof capable of withstanding significant forces in a rollover scenario.
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,162 lbs |
| Peak force | 21,460 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.16 |
The strength-to-weight ratio of 5.16 exceeds the minimum requirement for a “Good” rating, demonstrating robust roof crush resistance.
Head Restraints and Seats: “Good” Rating
The head restraints and seats of the Chevrolet Colorado 2019 were also rated “Good” for dynamic and geometric evaluations. This signifies effective protection against whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good (G) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good (G) |
Technical measurements confirm that the seat and head restraint geometry and dynamic performance meet the criteria for a “Good” rating.
Headlights: “Poor” Rating
Headlights are a notable area of weakness for the Chevrolet Colorado 2019, receiving a “Poor” rating across different trim levels and headlight variations.
Z71 and LT trims with Luxury Package Headlights:
| Overall rating | Poor (P) |
|---|
Base, WT, and LT trims Headlights:
| Overall rating | Poor (P) |
|---|
Both headlight variations, halogen projector and halogen reflector types, demonstrated inadequate illumination in various driving scenarios, particularly on curves. Excessive glare was also noted in the Z71 and LT trims with the Luxury package.
Front Crash Prevention: “Basic” Rating
The Chevrolet Colorado 2019 with optional Forward Collision Alert received a “Basic” rating for front crash prevention.
| Overall evaluation | Basic |
|---|
The system meets the requirements for forward collision warning but lacks autobrake functionality, limiting its effectiveness in preventing or mitigating frontal collisions.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH): “Marginal” Rating
The LATCH system in the Chevrolet Colorado 2019 received a “Marginal” rating due to usability issues.
| Overall evaluation | Marginal (M) |
Lower anchors were found to be too deep in the seat, and tether anchors were difficult to locate and could be confused with other hardware. These factors complicate child seat installation and reduce ease of use.
Conclusion:
The Chevrolet Colorado 2019 exhibits a mixed safety performance. It excels in driver-side small overlap, moderate overlap, side impact, roof strength, and head restraint tests, earning “Good” ratings in these critical areas. However, the “Marginal” rating in the passenger-side small overlap test and LATCH usability, along with a “Poor” headlight rating, indicate areas needing improvement. Potential buyers should carefully consider these findings, particularly the passenger-side small overlap performance and headlight limitations, when evaluating the overall safety of the Chevrolet Colorado 2019. While offering solid protection in many crash scenarios, some vulnerabilities exist, especially for passenger-side small overlap frontal crashes and nighttime visibility.
