When considering a sedan that blends style, reliability, and most importantly, safety, the 2019 Toyota Camry Se often tops the list. For families and individuals alike, understanding the safety performance of a vehicle is paramount. This article delves into the safety ratings of the 2019 Toyota Camry, focusing on the SE trim, to provide you with a comprehensive overview based on rigorous testing standards.
The Toyota Camry, redesigned in 2018, carries forward its reputation for safety into the 2019 model year. We’ll explore various crash test evaluations, including small overlap front impacts, moderate overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength, and head restraint effectiveness. Additionally, we’ll examine headlight ratings and front crash prevention systems to give you a complete picture of the 2019 Toyota Camry SE’s safety capabilities.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object, like a tree or pole. This is a particularly challenging test, and the 2019 Toyota Camry performed admirably.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The 2019 Toyota Camry achieved a “Good” rating in the driver-side small overlap front test, the highest possible rating. This indicates robust structural integrity and a well-designed safety cage that effectively protects the driver in this type of severe frontal crash. All driver injury measures were also rated “Good,” demonstrating a low risk of significant injuries.
Technical measurements from the test provide further detail:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTN1710 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 2 |
| Footrest (cm) | 2 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 2 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 2 |
| Parking brake (cm) | 4 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 0 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 1 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 1 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 2 |
These measurements show minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment, reinforcing the “Good” rating for structure and safety cage.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTN1710 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 157 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.14 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 22 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.5 |
| Right | 0.3 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.35 |
| Right | 0.42 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 2.0 |
| Right | 0.9 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 59 |
| Right | 34 |
These injury measures are all well within acceptable limits, further validating the “Good” ratings for driver injury protection in a driver-side small overlap front crash.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
The passenger-side small overlap test is equally critical, evaluating how well the vehicle protects the front passenger in a similar type of frontal collision.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Acceptable (A) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The 2019 Toyota Camry again earned a “Good” overall rating for passenger-side small overlap performance. Structure and passenger injury measures all received “Good” ratings. However, passenger restraints and dummy kinematics were rated “Acceptable”. The report notes that while the dummy’s face remained in contact with the frontal airbag, its head moved too far to the right, towards a gap between the frontal and side curtain airbags. Despite this, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively, providing sufficient forward coverage. Driver injury measures remained “Good”, indicating consistent protection for both occupants.
Action shot from the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test, demonstrating airbag deployment.
Post-crash dummy position showing excellent maintenance of passenger survival space within the 2019 Toyota Camry.
Close-up of the dummy head position after impact, illustrating head movement towards the airbag gap, but with effective side curtain airbag protection.
Image showing the maintained passenger space, indicating low risk of leg and foot injuries in the 2019 Toyota Camry.
Technical measurements further detail the passenger-side crash performance:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEP1711 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 4 |
| Footrest (cm) | 9 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 4 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 1 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Center dash (cm) | 2 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 3 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 4 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 3 |
Passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEP1711 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 189 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 12 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 21 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.9 |
| Right | 0.9 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 3 |
| Right | 3 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.27 |
| Right | 0.33 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 2.4 |
| Right | 1.9 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 44 |
| Right | 53 |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEP1711 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 126 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 10 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.16 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 31 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.6 |
| Right | 0.5 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.34 |
| Right | 0.23 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.2 |
| Right | 0.9 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 41 |
| Right | 37 |
These measurements further support the “Good” rating, indicating effective occupant protection in a passenger-side small overlap frontal crash for the 2019 Toyota Camry.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
In the moderate overlap front test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a deformable barrier. This test is designed to represent a common type of frontal collision.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, left | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, right | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The 2019 Toyota Camry achieved the highest rating of “Good” in the moderate overlap front test across all categories. This signifies excellent protection for the driver in a frontal collision of moderate severity.
Technical measurements from this test include:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1714 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 5 |
| Left (cm) | 7 |
| Center (cm) | 6 |
| Right (cm) | 3 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 3 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 1 |
| Right (cm) | 1 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | -1 |
| Rearward (cm) | -6 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 1 |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1714 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 204 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 21 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.27 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 26 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 1.1 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.3 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.31 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.51 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.5 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 2.5 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 69 |
| Right | 39 |
These measurements are indicative of a vehicle that effectively manages crash forces and minimizes occupant injury risk in a moderate overlap frontal impact scenario.
Side Crash Test: Original Test
The side crash test evaluates occupant protection in a side impact scenario, using a moving deformable barrier to simulate another vehicle striking the side of the Camry.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Driver head protection | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good (G) |
The 2019 Toyota Camry once again earned a “Good” rating in all aspects of the original side crash test. This demonstrates excellent side impact protection for both front and rear occupants.
Technical measurements from the original side crash test include:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | VTS1712 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -22.0 |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1712 |
| Head HIC-15 | 334 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 30 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.60 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.34 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.6 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 50 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 122 |
Passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1712 |
| Head HIC-15 | 151 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.1 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 23 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.90 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.22 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Combined force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.2 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 31 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 89 |
These measurements indicate a low risk of significant injuries in a side impact collision, further supporting the “Good” safety rating for the 2019 Toyota Camry in this test.
Side Crash Test: Updated Test (Note for Models Built Before February 2023)
It’s important to note that an updated side crash test was introduced, and while the 2019 Toyota Camry is rated under the original side test as “Good”, later models (and some 2019 models built before Feb 2023 may fall under this updated test if re-tested) might have different results in this more stringent evaluation. The updated test is more challenging, and results for later Camry models indicate room for improvement in side impact protection. However, for the 2019 Toyota Camry SE evaluated under the original test, the rating remains “Good”.
Vehicle condition immediately following the updated side crash test, showcasing structural deformation.
Post-test view with doors removed, revealing side airbag deployment and damage to the occupant compartment in the updated side crash test.
Grease paint marking on the driver dummy’s head, indicating head contact with the window sill, highlighting head protection concerns in the updated test.
Grease paint on the rear passenger dummy’s head, demonstrating head protection by side airbags in the updated side crash test.
Technical measurements for the updated side crash test are as follows:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2215 |
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -15.5 |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2215 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 391 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 82 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.8 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 47 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 41 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.61 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.68 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined force (kN) | 5.7 |
Passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2215 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 168 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.4 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 25 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.57 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.37 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined force (kN) | 6.1 |
These measurements from the updated test reflect the more challenging nature of the test and the areas where improvements were needed in later models.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test assesses the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. A strong roof is crucial for protecting occupants in such events.
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,326 lbs |
| Peak force | 18,862 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.67 |
The 2019 Toyota Camry achieved a “Good” rating in roof strength, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.67. This indicates that the roof is more than five times stronger than the vehicle’s weight, providing excellent protection in a rollover scenario.
Head Restraints & Seats
Head restraints and seats play a vital role in preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good (G) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good (G) |
The 2019 Toyota Camry’s power cloth seats, standard in the SE trim, received a “Good” rating for head restraints and seats. Both dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were evaluated as “Good”, indicating effective whiplash protection.
Technical measurements for head restraints and seats:
| Seat type | Power cloth seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 20 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 6 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 13.8 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 63 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 281 |
These measurements confirm the “Good” rating, showing effective seat and head restraint design for minimizing neck injuries in rear impacts.
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime driving safety. The 2019 Toyota Camry SE comes with LED projector headlights.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Acceptable (A) |
The standard LED projector headlights on the 2019 Toyota Camry SE received an “Acceptable” rating. While not the highest “Good” rating, “Acceptable” still indicates adequate performance. High-beam assist is a beneficial feature, compensating for some limitations of the low beams.
Headlight Performance Details for LE, SE, L, Hybrid LE, Hybrid SE Trims (including SE Trim):
Low beams: Visibility was good on the right side of the straightaway and fair on the left. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp right curve, fair on gradual right and sharp left curves, and inadequate on the gradual left curve. Glare was within acceptable limits.
High beams: Visibility was fair on the right side of the straightaway and inadequate on the left. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves. High-beam assist provides compensation for low beam limitations.
Technical measurements for headlights:
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) | Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 96.8 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 51.0 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 62.3 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, right edge | 44.9 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 56.2 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 48.8 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 138.5 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 122.8 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 66.1 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 62.4 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 55.6 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 52.8 m |
These measurements provide a detailed view of the headlight performance in various driving scenarios.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle & Pedestrian
The 2019 Toyota Camry SE comes standard with Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, a suite of active safety technologies designed to prevent or mitigate frontal crashes.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention:
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Forward collision warning | Meets requirements |
| 12 mph test | Collision avoided |
| 25 mph test | Collision avoided |
The vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system earned a “Superior” rating. The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing rear-end collisions.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Day):
| Overall evaluation | Advanced |
|---|---|
| Crossing child (12 mph) | Impact speed reduced by 6 mph |
| Crossing child (25 mph) | Impact speed reduced by 6 mph |
| Crossing adult (12 mph) | Collision avoided |
| Crossing adult (25 mph) | Collision avoided |
| Parallel adult (25 mph) | Collision avoided |
| Parallel adult (37 mph) | Impact speed reduced by 15 mph |
The pedestrian front crash prevention system received an “Advanced” rating. It avoided collisions with crossing adults in both tests and with a parallel adult at 25 mph. In other scenarios, it significantly reduced impact speed, mitigating potential injuries.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
For families, the ease of use and effectiveness of child seat anchors (LATCH) is crucial.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) + extra LATCH positions |
| Vehicle trim | LE (representative of SE trim) |
| Seat type | cloth |
The 2019 Toyota Camry has a LATCH system rated “Good+” for ease of use and extra LATCH positions. It features two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors.
Details by Seating Position:
- Position 1 & 3: Complete LATCH hardware, easy-to-find and use anchors.
- Position 2: Tether anchor, lower anchors can be borrowed from positions 1 and 3.
This flexible LATCH system provides secure and convenient child seat installation.
Conclusion: 2019 Toyota Camry SE – A Safe and Solid Choice
The 2019 Toyota Camry SE demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving top “Good” ratings in most crash tests and earning “Superior” and “Advanced” ratings for its front crash prevention systems. While headlight performance is rated “Acceptable,” and the updated side crash test highlights areas for future improvement (in later models), the 2019 Toyota Camry SE stands as a very safe vehicle in its class.
For those prioritizing safety in a mid-size sedan, the 2019 Toyota Camry SE offers peace of mind with its robust crash protection and advanced safety features, making it a compelling choice for drivers and families alike.
