Applies to 2004-06 models
| Overall evaluation |
P
|
| Structure and safety cage |
A
|
| Driver injury measures |
| Head/neck |
P
|
| Torso |
P
|
| Pelvis/leg |
M
|
| Head protection |
P
|
| Rear passenger injury measures |
| Head/neck |
A
|
| Torso |
G
|
| Pelvis/leg |
G
|
| Head protection |
M
|
| Side crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories. |
The Chevrolet Malibu was redesigned for the 2004 model year. The earlier design remained in production through the 2005 model year, but was called the Chevrolet Classic and was sold only to fleets.
All 2004-06 Malibu models manufactured after February 2004 include front door trim panel changes to improve occupant protection in side-impact crashes. (Chevrolet reported that these door trim panel changes would not significantly affect side-impact performance in models without side airbags; therefore the overall side impact rating for all 2004 and later models without side airbags is the same.)
Two tests of a 2004 Malibu were conducted, one with an optional side airbag for the driver and rear passenger, and one without. A third test of a Malibu, a 2005 model, was conducted because the side airbags were changed beginning with 2005 models. These three Malibus are rated separately, except that the structural ratings for the three vehicles are based on all three tests.
Beginning with 2007 models, side curtain airbags designed to protect drivers' and front and rear passengers' heads became standard, but side airbags designed to protect drivers' and front passengers' torsos remained optional.
Injury measures
Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that serious skull fracture and/or brain injuries plus rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries would be likely in a crash of this severity. A fracture of the pelvis also would be possible.
Passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that serious head injuries would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.
Head protection
Driver — The dummy's head was hit by the intruding barrier, producing high head injury measures.
Passenger — The dummy's head was hit by the window sill and window frame of the rear passenger door, producing moderately high head injury measures. Hitting the window areas should be prevented.
Tested vehicle specifications
| Tested vehicle |
2004 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4-door |
| Weight |
3,253 lbs. |
| Side airbags |
optional front and rear head curtain airbags |
| Wheelbase |
106 in. |
| Length |
188 in. |
| Width |
70 in. |
| Engine |
3.5 L V6 |
| EPA ratings |
23 mpg city / 32 mpg highway |
How this test is conducted
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID |
CES0404 |
CES0403 |
CES0509 |
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. |
-5.0 |
-5.0 |
-5.5 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID |
CES0404 |
| Head HIC-15 |
1,606 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
2.0 |
| Compression (kN) |
1.3 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
51 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
2.8 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
48 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
39 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
8.12 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
1.49 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
2.8 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
3.8 |
| Combined force (kN) |
6.3 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
0.8 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
129 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
42 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID |
CES0404 |
| Head HIC-15 |
722 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
1.9 |
| Compression (kN) |
0.1 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
35 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
1.5 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
38 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
30 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
3.63 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
0.61 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
1.1 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
2.5 |
| Combined force (kN) |
3.3 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
0.3 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
124 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
31 |