Applies to 2005-07 models
| Overall evaluation |
G
|
| Structure and safety cage |
A
|
| Driver injury measures |
| Head/neck |
G
|
| Torso |
G
|
| Pelvis/leg |
G
|
| Head protection |
G
|
| Rear passenger injury measures |
| Head/neck |
G
|
| Torso |
G
|
| Pelvis/leg |
G
|
| Head protection |
G
|
| 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.
Two previous tests of a 2004 Malibu were conducted, one with an optional side curtain airbag for the driver and rear passenger, and one without. In the 2005-06 models, side airbags designed to protect drivers' and front passengers' torsos were added to the optional side curtain airbags previously available. Beginning with 2007 models, side curtain airbags became standard, but side torso airbags remained optional.
The three tested vehicles are rated separately, except that structural ratings for the vehicles are based on the two previous tests plus the latest test. Also, the rear passenger injury and head protection ratings are based on the two tests with side airbags.
Injury measures
Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Passenger — Measures taken from the dummies in tests of both the 2005 and 2004 models with side airbags indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Head protection
Driver — The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof and a side airbag that deployed from the seat.
Passenger — In each of the two tests with side airbags, the dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof (test of 2005 model shown).
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 |
CES0509 |
| Head HIC-15 |
292 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
1.1 |
| Compression (kN) |
0.5 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
45 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
1.6 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
32 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
28 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
5.04 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
0.59 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
1.6 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
3.4 |
| Combined force (kN) |
4.8 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
0.7 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
89 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
29 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID |
CES0403 |
CES0509 |
| Head HIC-15 |
94 |
174 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
0.1 |
0.9 |
| Compression (kN) |
0.5 |
0.2 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
34 |
29 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
1.5 |
1.5 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
36 |
35 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
28 |
27 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
3.84 |
3.89 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
0.61 |
0.58 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
0.6 |
0.8 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
2.0 |
2.4 |
| Combined force (kN) |
2.1 |
2.8 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
0.5 |
0.5 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
177 |
165 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
-43 |
35 |