2022 Chevrolet Malibu

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system	Superior
Optional system	Advanced
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system	Basic
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)
Optional system	No Credit

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2016-25 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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2016-25 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.

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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2016-25 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.

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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

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.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2016-25 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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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

About the side crash test

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

About the roof strength test

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

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

Headlights

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

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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:

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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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 2019-25 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

Trim level(s)

LS trim
RS trim
LT trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

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.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	LS trim RS trim LT trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2019-22 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

About the headlight evaluation

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

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph 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

with optional equipment

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

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

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

System details

optional Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2019-25 models of the following trim lines: LS trim equipped with Driver Confidence II package, RS trim equipped with Driver Confidence II package, LT trim equipped with Driver Confidence II package

Basic

with optional equipment

Crossing child

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

Crossing adult

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

Parallel adult

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

System details

optional Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2019-25 models of the following trim lines: Premier trim equipped with Enhanced Driver Confidence package

Basic

with optional equipment

Crossing child

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

Crossing adult

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

Parallel adult

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

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)

Night

System details

optional Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking

Overall evaluation

Includes high-beam assist credit

This rating applies to 2022-25 models of the following trim lines: LS trim equipped with Driver Confidence II package, RS trim equipped with Driver Confidence II package, LT trim equipped with Driver Confidence II package

No Credit

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle failed to slow.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 4 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 3 mph.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 4 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 1 mph.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 4 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.3 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, this vehicle failed to slow and a warning was issued 0 seconds before impact.

About pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2022-23 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Negligible (under 8 seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)	None

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2016-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	LS
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
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

Position	Rating
1
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
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
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

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
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

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
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

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
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Rating applies to 2016-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	LT
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
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

Position	Rating
1
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
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
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

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
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

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
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

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
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	51 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	58 dB
Difference between background and signal	6.4 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	55 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	60 dB
Difference between background and signal	4.9 dB
Dominant audio frequency	2000 Hz

2022 Chevrolet Malibu

midsize car / 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Seat belts & child restraints

Other available safety features

Small overlap front: driver-side

Moderate overlap front: original test

Side: original test

Side: updated test

Roof strength

Head restraints & seats

Headlights

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Package name

Overall evaluation

System details

Package name

Overall evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)

Night

Seat belt reminders

Child seat anchors