2021 Chevrolet Malibu
midsize car / 4-door sedan
Small overlap front: driver-side
Rating applies to 2016-22 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.
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 |
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.
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
Rating applies to 2016-22 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 |
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 |
Side: original test
Rating applies to 2016-22 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 | |
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 |
Side: updated test
Rating applies to 2016-22 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.
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 |
Roof strength
Rating applies to 2016-22 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 |
Head restraints & seats
Seat type: Power cloth seat
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | |
| Seat/head restraint geometry |
| 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.
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian
Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.
Child seat anchors
Applies to 2016-22 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Seat position 21
| 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
| 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
| 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 2016-22 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Seat position 21
| 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
| 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
| 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 |