Close
Vehicles Dealers
My Vehicles
  •  
My Inventory
  •  
  •  

[Pillar/Lifestyle content]

Safety During

Chevy boasts a long list of safety achievements, but perhaps the most important have been in the area of crash test ratings. In fact, for 2009, Chevrolet offers 13 models with a five-star frontal crash safety rating.3

Some of the safety features designed to help protect occupants in the event of a crash include a safety cage and crush zones, safety belts, air bags2 and the LATCH system for child safety seats.

Safety Cage Construction

Made of reinforced steel with vertical pillars, side-door beams and a roof, the safety cage is designed to help preserve occupant space in a crash. In addition, front and rear "crush zones" that frame the trunk and engine are designed to compress in a controlled manner during a crash — helping absorb the energy from the crash.

Additional features related to the safety cage include:

  • Side-door beams that help reduce penetration into the passenger compartment during shallow-angle side collisions
  • Side-impact, cross-car beams are designed into the vehicle at the instrument panel, rear compartment and floor areas to help channel energy
  • Door hinges and latches that work together with each door's structure and steel reinforcements to help keep the doors closed during an impact

The safety cage surrounds the entire passenger compartment of every Chevrolet.

Safety Belts

The safety belt is a vehicle's most important safety feature. The safety belt system offers technologies to help improve comfort and fit, such as the Child Comfort Guide in rear outboard seating positions and adjustable upper safety belt anchors. Also included in the safety belt system are pretensioners and other energy - management features.

Adults, teens and children who are large enough should always wear safety belts every time, on every trip. No excuses. Why? Safety belts are the most effective safety technology in a vehicle to help reduce the risk of injury and death in a crash. Safety belts help keep occupants properly positioned and secure in their seats. Children who are not large enough should be properly secured in a rear seat in an appropriate infant, child or booster seat.

Air Bags

GM has contributed to the development and implementation of air bags,2 an important technology to supplement safety belts.

Chevy vehicles offer a range of air bag systems — front air bags (standard), dual-stage frontal air bags, side-impact air bags and

head-curtain side-impact air bags, as well as the Passenger Sensing System. In addition, some Chevy vehicles feature rollover-capable head curtain air bags, which not only deploy in moderate to severe side impacts, but can also deploy if the vehicle senses an impending rollover event. See availability below.

In 2006, GM launched a state-of-the-art rollover crash test facility, becoming the first North American automaker to integrate in-house testing for rollover crashes. Testing at the facility is used to study ways to help potentially reduce injuries and deaths in rollover crashes by developing sensors for air bags to help protect occupants in some types of rollover crashes and to help keep occupants from being ejected.

Dual-Stage Frontal Air Bags2

These bags sense the severity of a crash then determine if the air bags should be deployed and whether a full or less-than-full amount of inflation is to be used.

Available in select models for:

Side-Impact Air Bags2

Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact air bags help reduce the risk of certain injuries to outboard front- and rear-seat occupants in certain side-impact collisions.

Available in select models for:

  • Cars
  • SUVs/Crossovers
    • Traverse
  • Trucks
    • Silverado6

Head-Curtain Side Air Bags2

Mounted to the roof rails, these air bags are designed to reduce the risk of head injuries to outboard front- and rear-seat occupants in certain side-impact collisions.

Some vehicles with head-curtain air bags include a rollover sensor that's tuned to stay inflated in the event of a rollover to help reduce the risk of ejection. The sensor enables the air bags to stay inflated after a crash for about five seconds versus the 300 milliseconds of protection provided by head-curtain side-impact air bags that deploy in a side-impact collision.

Available in select models for:

Passenger Sensing System2

The Passenger Sensing System automatically switches the right-front passenger air bag2 on or off based on the passenger's weight and the type of pressure on the seat. A lighted indicator is located on the rearview mirror or instrument panel, depending on the vehicle. But remember, even with this innovative feature, always wear your safety belts and be sure children are properly restrained in a rear seat in the appropriate infant, child or booster seat.

Available in select models for:

LATCH For Child Seats

Available in most Chevy vehicles, the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Top tethers for CHildren) system often makes it easier to install child safety seats. Most LATCH-equipped seating positions have three anchors — a top tether anchor and two lower anchors located between the vehicle's seat cushion and

seatback. LATCH-equipped child safety seats have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle lower anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats also have a top strap (or tether) that attaches to a top tether anchor.

Learn more about how this system works, which seating positions feature LATCH, and where to place child seats in your Chevy vehicle. Simply select a Chevy model and the number of child seats desired.

2009 CRASH RATINGS

Following is a list of Chevy vehicles that have earned the highest possible rating in frontal and/or side-impact crash tests.

Five-Star Frontal Crash Test Ratings3

  • Cars
    • Impala
    • Malibu
    • Malibu Hybrid8
  • SUVs/Crossovers
    • Equinox
    • HHR
    • Suburban 1500
    • Tahoe
    • Tahoe Hybrid9
    • Traverse
  • Trucks
    • Avalanche
    • Colorado Crew Cab
    • Silverado 1500
  • Vans
    • Express 1500 Passenger Van

Five-Star Side-Impact Crash Test Rating (front seats/rear seats)3

  • Cars
    • Malibu
    • Malibu Hybrid8
  • SUVs/Crossovers
    • Suburban 1500
    • Tahoe
    • Tahoe Hybrid9
    • Traverse
  • Trucks
    • Avalanche
    • Silverado 1500

SAFETY Chevy knows safety is a top priority when it comes to choosing a vehicle. That's why each Chevy model comes with an array of standard and available features that can help protect you and your passengers in the event of a crash. Learn by clicking on the links below.

1
The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Click here to see all Chevrolet vehicles' destination freight charges.
2
MSRP less cash offers. Tax, title, license and dealer fees extra. Take new retail delivery by 3/31/2010. Residency restrictions apply. Not available with some other offers. See dealer for details.
3
Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov).
4
Not available on Silverado HD models.
5
Not available on Coupe and Convertible 1LT, Z06 1LZ or ZR1 1ZR models.
6
Not available on Silverado 1500 WT or LS or Silverado HD models.
7
Not available on Express Cutaway models.
8
Limited availability.
9
At participating dealers only.