Chevrolet Malibu Earns IIHS 2014 Top Safety Pick+ Rating

March 31, 2014 by Chevrolet

IIHS says + models are best vehicle choices for safety within size categories

DETROIT – The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety today named the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu with available Forward Collision Alert a Top Safety Pick+. The distinction requires cars to receive high marks in crash worthiness and achieve a basic, advanced or superior rating for frontal crash prevention.

The crash tests consist of front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. In order to receive 2014 Top Safety Pick+ status, the 2014 Malibu had to offer a frontal crash protection system meeting IIHS requirements as well as receive a 'Good' rating – the highest classification used by IIHS – in four of the five crash tests and no less than an 'Acceptable' – the second highest classification – rating in the fifth test.

This differs from the 2014 Top Safety Pick Rating that required a car to receive a 'Good' rating in four of the five crash tests and no less than an 'Acceptable' rating on the fifth test – without offering a frontal crash protection system meeting IIHS requirements.

The 2014 Malibu exceeded those requirements, achieving a 'Good' rating in all five tests. It also achieved a 'Basic' assessment for the frontal crash prevention system when outfitted with the optional Advanced Safety Package available on 2LT and above trim packages, meeting the requirements for the Top Safety Pick+ consideration. The system uses camera and radar systems to monitor the distance to the car in front of the Malibu, and will sound an alert if it senses a possible collision.

The IIHS designs its tests to replicate certain types of crashes that can occur on the road, with evaluation focusing on key points in the vehicle's body structure and the risk of occupant injury.

For instance, the Side Impact Crashworthiness Evaluation Crash Test consists of rolling a 3,300-pound sled into the side of a test vehicle at 31.1 mph. The IIHS specifically aligns the sled with the driver's head.

Similarly, in the Moderate Overlap Frontal Crashworthiness Evaluation Crash Test, the test vehicle runs into a wall offset from the vehicle's centerline.

'We are very pleased that the IIHS has recognized the safety of the Malibu with this prestigious rating,' said Gay Kent, general director of General Motors Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness. 'Customer safety is our guiding compass; this serves as a testament to that.'

The Chevrolet Malibu has been a Top Safety Pick for the past four years, but 2014 is the first time it is a Top Safety Pick+. It is the second Chevrolet car to receive the Top Safety Pick+ rating, following the Spark mini car

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Photo credit: Chevrolet
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