The Ford Fiesta, a subcompact car popular for its fuel efficiency and affordability, underwent rigorous testing to evaluate its safety performance. Specifically, the 2019 Ford Fiesta models, sharing the design of the 2014-2019 generation built after August 2013, were subjected to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) small overlap frontal crash test. This test is designed to simulate a collision where the front corner of the vehicle impacts an object like a tree or pole. Understanding these crash test results is crucial for prospective buyers and current owners of the 2019 Ford Fiesta to assess its safety in a real-world accident scenario.
The IIHS evaluations for the 2019 Ford Fiesta provide a detailed look at how this vehicle performs in a challenging crash scenario. The ratings are categorized into structural performance, occupant injury measures, and restraints/kinematics. For the small overlap frontal test, the 2019 Ford Fiesta received an overall Marginal rating. Let’s break down the key evaluation criteria to understand the areas of concern and strength.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | M |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | A |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | A |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | P |
The structural performance and safety cage of the 2019 Ford Fiesta were rated as Marginal. This means that during the crash test, the vehicle’s structure showed less than ideal resistance to deformation in the small overlap impact. A robust safety cage is vital to maintain survival space for the occupant and minimize injuries.
In terms of driver injury measures, the 2019 Ford Fiesta showed mixed results. For head and neck injuries, the rating was Acceptable. Chest and hip/thigh injury measures received a Good rating, indicating a low risk of injury in these areas. However, lower leg and foot injuries were rated as Acceptable, suggesting a moderate risk in those regions.
The most concerning rating for the 2019 Ford Fiesta in the small overlap test was for Driver restraints and dummy kinematics, which received a Poor rating. This signifies significant issues with how the restraint systems (seatbelts and airbags) and the dummy’s movement were controlled during the crash. The IIHS noted that the dummy’s head barely contacted the frontal airbag and then slid off to the side. Furthermore, excessive forward movement of the dummy’s head and torso was observed, leading to head contact with the instrument panel. The side curtain airbag deployed but lacked sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from impacting side structures. Additionally, the driver’s seat exhibited undesirable movement, tipping forward and towards the B-pillar.
Technical measurements from the crash test further illustrate the structural issues. Intrusion measurements on the driver’s side occupant compartment were significant, particularly in the lower hinge pillar (18 cm) and upper hinge pillar (19 cm). These intrusions, along with instrument panel intrusion, contributed to the risk of lower leg injuries.
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 18 |
| Footrest (cm) | 12 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 11 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 3 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 5 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 19 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 17 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 15 |
In conclusion, the 2019 Ford Fiesta’s performance in the IIHS small overlap frontal crash test reveals some safety shortcomings. While some injury measures were acceptable or good, the Marginal structural rating and Poor rating for driver restraints and kinematics are notable concerns. Prospective buyers should consider these results alongside other safety ratings and vehicle attributes when making their purchasing decisions. For owners of 2019 Ford Fiesta models and earlier, ensuring the autolock feature is enabled, if available, and practicing safe driving habits remain important for maximizing safety.
