Applies to 2013-15 models
| Overall evaluation |
G
|
| Structure and safety cage |
G
|
| Driver injury measures |
| Head/neck |
G
|
| Torso |
A
|
| 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 2013 model year. Initially, only the Eco model (a hybrid with a gasoline engine and an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery) was available in the new design. Other Malibu models with conventional powertrains were introduced later, when side torso airbags for rear seat occupants were made standard (they had been optional earlier). All Malibu models built after July 2012 have the standard rear side torso airbags. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)
Two tests of the Malibu Eco were initially conducted, one by the Institute and one by General Motors as part of side crash test verification. Neither car had the optional rear side torso airbags. A third test, this time of a Malibu LTZ with the standard rear side torso airbags, was then conducted by General Motors. Rear seat dummy torso injury measures improved for the third car, but each of the three tests produced good injury ratings for the rear seat dummies. Therefore, the ratings below are based on all three tests. Specifications and photos are provided for the Institute test car.
For the 2016 model year only, the Malibu was renamed the Malibu Limited and sold when new only to fleets. The Malibu Limited shares no ratings with the redesigned 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.
Injury measures
Driver — In each of the three tests, measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.
Passenger — In all three tests, measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Head protection
Driver — In all three tests, 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.
Passenger — In all three tests, 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.
Tested vehicle specifications
| Tested vehicle |
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco 4-door |
| Weight |
3,583 lbs. |
| Side airbags |
standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags |
| Wheelbase |
108 in. |
| Length |
191 in. |
| Width |
73 in. |
| Engine |
2.4 L 4-cylinder (gasoline) and electric motor |
| EPA ratings |
25 mpg city / 37 mpg highway |
How this test is conducted
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID |
VTS1116 |
CES1205 |
VTS1204 |
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. |
-15.5 |
-16.5 |
-18.0 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID |
VTS1116 |
CES1205 |
VTS1204 |
| Head HIC-15 |
440 |
310 |
390 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
1.4 |
1.3 |
1.2 |
| Compression (kN) |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
50 |
40 |
43 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
1.6 |
1.6 |
1.8 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
41 |
44 |
45 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
36 |
35 |
40 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
4.21 |
3.65 |
5.24 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
0.66 |
0.68 |
0.79 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
2.2 |
1.8 |
1.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
3.3 |
2.1 |
2.7 |
| Combined force (kN) |
4.9 |
3.5 |
3.7 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
1.0 |
0.9 |
0.7 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
31 |
58 |
22 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
126 |
-33 |
99 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID |
VTS1116 |
CES1205 |
VTS1204 |
| Head HIC-15 |
330 |
310 |
140 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
0.4 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
| Compression (kN) |
0.6 |
0.8 |
0.7 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
44 |
32 |
13 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
1.6 |
1.1 |
0.8 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
41 |
30 |
20 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
32 |
23 |
16 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
3.64 |
3.48 |
2.39 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
0.64 |
0.32 |
0.18 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
0.4 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
2.1 |
1.8 |
1.7 |
| Combined force (kN) |
2.4 |
1.9 |
1.9 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
0.7 |
0.4 |
0.5 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
18 |
128 |
50 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
68 |
-92 |
98 |