2021 Chevrolet Malibu

midsize car / 4-door sedan

2021 Chevrolet Malibu 4-door sedan
2019 Chevrolet Malibu shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior
Optional system
Advanced
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (day)
Optional system
Basic

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional daytime running lights
  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning
  • Optional lane departure prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2016-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4-door

The Chevrolet Malibu was redesigned for the 2016 model year. The earlier design remained in production for 2016, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the Chevrolet Malibu Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Malibu Limited.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but rolled around the left side, allowing the head to move toward the gap in coverage between the frontal and side curtain airbags.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1616
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 9
Footrest (cm) 11
Left toepan (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Parking brake (cm) 11
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Upper dash (cm) 8
Lower instrument panel (cm) 7

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1616
Head
HIC-15 85
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.76
Right 0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.4
Right 0.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 81
Right 28

How the driver-side small overlap front test is conducted

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4-door

The Chevrolet Malibu was redesigned for the 2016 model year. The earlier design remained in production for 2016, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the Chevrolet Malibu Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Malibu Limited.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the right side, allowing the head to move far enough forward to hit the dashboard. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger’s survival space was maintained reasonably well.

The dummy’s head slid off the right side of the frontal airbag and moved far enough forward to hit the dashboard hard.

Intrusion of the door hinge pillar and footwell contributed to a moderate risk of injury to the left lower leg.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID CEP1707
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 11
Footrest (cm) 13
Right toepan (cm) 7
Center toepan (cm) 2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 3
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 7
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 9
Upper dash (cm) 11
Right lower dash (cm) 10

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CEP1707
Head
HIC-15 312
Peak gs at hard contact 72
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm) 20
Maximum Nij 0.28
Chest maximum compression (mm) 17
Femur (kN)
Left 2.8
Right 0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.76
Right 0.77
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 4.2
Right 1.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 46
Right 71

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEP1707
Head
HIC-15 56
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.13
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 2
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.27
Right 0.17
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.5
Right 0.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 25
Right 31

How the passenger-side small overlap front test is conducted

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2016-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 2LT 4-door

The Chevrolet Malibu was redesigned for the 2016 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors as part of frontal crash test verification.

The earlier design remained in production for 2016, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the Chevrolet Malibu Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Malibu Limited.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1512
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 5
Left (cm) 7
Center (cm) 4
Right (cm) 2
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -1
Rearward (cm) -5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 1

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1512
Head
HIC-15 203
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 17
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.5
Femur force - right (kN) 0.6
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 3
Maximum tibia index - left 0.40
Maximum tibia index - right 0.50
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.0
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 50
Right 41

How the moderate overlap front test is conducted

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2016-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT 4-door

The Chevrolet Malibu was redesigned for the 2016 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors as part of side crash test verification.

The earlier design remained in production for 2016, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the Chevrolet Malibu Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Malibu Limited.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1511
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -14.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1511
Head HIC-15 303
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 38
Lateral force (kN) 1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 37
Average deflection (mm) 33
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 5.91
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.45
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.3
Acetabulum force (kN) 0.8
Combined force (kN) 2.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.5
L-M moment (Nm) 26
A-P moment (Nm) 94

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1511
Head HIC-15 249
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 29
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 34
Average deflection (mm) 28
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.60
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.41
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.2
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.1
Combined force (kN) 2.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.3
L-M moment (Nm) 51
A-P moment (Nm) 101

How the side crash test is conducted

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2016-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4-door

The Chevrolet Malibu was redesigned for the 2016 model year. The earlier design remained in production for 2016, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the Chevrolet Malibu Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Malibu Limited.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
The dummy's head moved downward past the side curtain airbag and struck the window sill of the driver door hard. The head protection is inadequate.
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection
The dummy's head moved downward past the side curtain airbag and struck the window sill of the rear passenger door hard. The head protection is inadequate.

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows that the driver dummy's head moved downward, past the side curtain airbag, and contacted the window sill.

Smeared greasepaint shows that the rear passenger dummy's head moved downward, past the side curtain airbag, and contacted the rear window sill.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2218
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -8.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2218
Head
HIC-15 1,178
Peak gs at hard contact 142
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.8
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 55
Lateral force (kN) 1.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 45
Average deflection (mm) 40
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.91
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.70
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 4.7

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2218
Head
HIC-15 335
Peak gs at hard contact 74
Neck
Tension (kN) 2.1
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 49
Lateral force (kN) 4.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 46
Average deflection (mm) 36
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.90
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.92
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.9

How the side crash test is conducted

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2016-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight 3,117 lbs
Peak force 16,665 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio 5.35

How the roof strength test is conducted

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 16
Distance below top of head (mm) 22
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 13.0
Head contact time (ms) 57
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 28
Max neck tension (N) 494

How the head restraint & seat test is conducted
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

  • Optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Optional Forward Collision Alert

Package name

  • Optional Enhanced Driver Confidence Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-23 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.

System details

  • Optional Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Optional Forward Collision Alert

Package name

  • Optional Driver Confidence Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-23 models

Advanced
Advanced
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 9 mph.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

  • optional Front Pedestrian Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2019-23 models of the following trim lines: LS trim equipped with Driver Confidence I package, LS trim equipped with Driver Confidence II package, RS trim equipped with Driver Confidence I package, RS trim equipped with Driver Confidence II package, LT trim equipped with Driver Confidence I package, LT trim equipped with Driver Confidence II package

Basic
Basic
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 8 mph.
  • In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 5 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 7 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.
  • In the 37 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 8 mph. A warning was issued 1.6 seconds before impact.

System details

  • optional Front Pedestrian Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2019-23 models of the following trim lines: Premier trim equipped with Enhanced Driver Confidence package

Basic
Basic
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 5 mph.
  • In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 5 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.
  • In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 7 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 9 mph.
  • In the 37 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 7 mph. A warning was issued 1.4 seconds before impact.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Headlights

Trim level(s)

  • LS trim equipped with Driver Confidence I & II package
  • RS trim equipped with Driver Confidence I & II package
  • LT trim equipped with Driver Confidence I & II package
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • LS trim equipped with Driver Confidence I & II package
  • RS trim equipped with Driver Confidence I & II package
  • LT trim equipped with Driver Confidence I & II package
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-23 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 79.8 m None
Straightaway left edge 37.3 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 45.3 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 37.1 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 40.7 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 34.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 166.0 m
Straightaway left edge 150.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 61.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 58.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 49.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 46.7 m

How headlights are evaluated

Child seat anchors

Applies to 2016-23 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim LS
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim LS
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
G Good
A Acceptable
M Marginal
P Poor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
 Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
 Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
 Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 109
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 98
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 97
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 98
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No

Applies to 2016-23 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim LT
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim LT
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
G Good
A Acceptable
M Marginal
P Poor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
 Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
 Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
 Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 97
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 106
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 98
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 98
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No

How child seat anchors are evaluated

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