Measures taken from the neck, chest, and left leg indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the steering wheel through the airbag, indicating that head injuries would be possible. Forces on the right foot were high, indicating that injuries to the foot would be possible.
 

Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy moved back into the seat without its head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury.
 

Two previous tests of a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu were conducted, one with an optional side curtain airbag for the driver and rear passenger, and one without. Beginning with 2005 models, side airbags designed to protect drivers' and front passengers' torsos were added to the optional side curtain airbags previously available.

The three tested vehicles are rated separately, except that structural ratings for the vehicles are based on the two previous tests plus the latest test. Also, the rear passenger injury and head protection ratings are based on the two tests with side airbags.

Please note that roadtests.com provides the test of the model equipped WITH all optional side-impact airbags only. In the test without these airbags, the Malibu fared much worse, earning an overall "Poor" evaluation due to strong head, neck, and torso-injuries on the driver's side. Roadtests.com would thus like to encourage buyers to specify the optional side-impact airbags upon purchase.
 

Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
 

Measures taken from the dummies in tests of both the 2005 and 2004 models with side airbags indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
 

Driver: 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 and a side airbag that deployed from the seat.

Rear passenger: In each of the two tests with side airbags, 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.