2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Safety Review: Near-Perfect IIHS Crash Test Performance

The all-new 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback has impressed safety experts by earning a 2018 IIHS Top Safety Pick award, achieving top marks in seven out of eight crashworthiness evaluations. This comprehensive review breaks down its safety performance, examines where it excelled and fell short, and compares it to competitors in the compact car segment.

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Crash Test Performance Breakdown

The Corolla Hatchback demonstrated exceptional protection across IIHS's rigorous testing protocols:

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The One Area That Kept It From Top Safety Pick Plus

While the Corolla Hatchback excelled in crash protection, its headlight performance prevented it from achieving IIHS's highest honor:

• Standard LED headlights: Rated Marginal for effectiveness
• Available curve-adaptive headlights (XSE trim): Rated Acceptable
• Top Safety Pick Plus requires a Good headlight rating

Advanced Safety Technology

The Corolla Hatchback comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 standard, which includes:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (rated Superior by IIHS)
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• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Automatic High Beams
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Road Sign Assist

The forward collision prevention system earned IIHS's highest "Superior" rating for avoiding crashes in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests.

How It Compares to Key Competitors

Important Considerations for Buyers

Sedan vs. Hatchback Differences

Prospective buyers should note that these excellent safety ratings apply only to the hatchback version. The 2019 Corolla sedan:

• Uses an older platform
• Hasn't been tested for passenger-side small overlap
• Still holds a Top Safety Pick award (2018 criteria)
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Award Year vs. Model Year

The Corolla Hatchback earned its award under 2018 criteria despite being a 2019 model. IIHS frequently updates requirements, so the 2019 model year awards may have different standards.

Final Verdict: A Top Safety Choice With One Caveat

The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback stands as one of the safest compact cars available, offering:

• Exceptional crash protection across all test categories
• Superior forward collision prevention
• Rare passenger-side small overlap testing

The only compromise comes in headlight performance, where even the available curve-adaptive lights don't quite reach top marks. For safety-conscious buyers prioritizing crash protection over lighting performance, the Corolla Hatchback represents an excellent choice in the compact segment.

For more information on Toyota's safety technology or to compare the Corolla Hatchback to other top-rated vehicles, visit MotorVero's Complete Safety Ratings Guide.