2024 Chevrolet Malibu

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front	incomplete rating
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. This vehicle has an incomplete rating because it has been tested only on one side.

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
Overall driver-side 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

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

Headlights

Trim level(s)

LS trim
RS trim
1LT trim

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 RS trim 1LT trim
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

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

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 — night

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 — night

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 the pedestrian front crash prevention test

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

2024 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

Headlights

Trim level(s)

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Child seat anchors