Applies to 2009-13 models
| Overall evaluation |
G
|
| Structure and safety cage |
A
|
| Driver injury measures |
| Head/neck |
G
|
| Torso |
G
|
| Pelvis/leg |
G
|
| Head protection |
G
|
| Rear passenger injury measures |
| Head/neck |
G
|
| Torso |
G
|
| Pelvis/leg |
G
|
| Head protection |
G
|
| Side crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories. |
This rating applies to vehicles other than the specific model and body style tested.
The Chevrolet Impala was redesigned for the 2006 model year. Beginning with 2009 models, side curtain airbags were made standard for retail and fleet buyers (they had been optional for fleet buyers previously), and side airbags to protect the drivers' and front passengers' torsos also became standard (the side torso airbags were not available before).
Two tests of the Impala were conducted, one by the Institute of a 2006 model equipped with side curtain airbags, and the other by General Motors of a 2009 model with both side curtain airbags and side torso airbags. These vehicles are rated separately, except that the structural ratings for both vehicles are based on both tests, as are rear dummy injury and head protection ratings, because no changes were made to the rear occupant compartment. Driver dummy injury and head protection ratings for the 2009 model are assigned by the Institute as part of side crash test verification.
Injury measures
Driver — In the test of the 2009 model, measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Passenger — Measures from the dummies in the two tests, taken together, indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Head protection
Driver — In the test of the 2009 model, the dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof and a side airbag that deployed from the seat.
Passenger — In tests of both the 2006 and 2009 models, the dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.
Tested vehicle specifications
| Tested vehicle |
2009 Chevrolet Impala LT 4-door |
| Weight |
3,575 lbs. |
| Side airbags |
front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags |
| Wheelbase |
111 in. |
| Length |
200 in. |
| Width |
73 in. |
| Engine |
3.5 L V6 |
| EPA ratings |
18 mpg city / 29 mpg highway |
How this test is conducted
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID |
CES0618 |
VTS1001 |
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
-11.0 |
-8.0 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID |
VTS1001 |
| Head HIC-15 |
445 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
1.0 |
| Compression (kN) |
0.6 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
51 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
1.8 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
35 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
28 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
4.23 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
0.48 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
1.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
2.7 |
| Combined force (kN) |
3.6 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
0.5 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
67 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
19 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID |
CES0618 |
VTS1001 |
| Head HIC-15 |
195 |
246 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
0.3 |
0.2 |
| Compression (kN) |
0.4 |
0.5 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
46 |
47 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
1.5 |
2.2 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
33 |
35 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
28 |
22 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
3.10 |
2.84 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
0.45 |
0.56 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
1.3 |
2.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
3.0 |
4.2 |
| Combined force (kN) |
3.4 |
5.4 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
0.5 |
0.4 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
130 |
81 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
43 |
57 |