Four decades of data used to test 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Since 1972, data collection boxes placed in cars have been recording the harshness and frequency of every jounce, bump and shudder inflicted on the car on roads in the U.S.A., Russia, Saudi Arabia and developing markets to ensure the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu can handle the world's worst roads even if the all new mid-sized sedan never drives on them.

Tests like these ensured the current generation Malibu was dependable and durable, two qualities that in turn helped Malibu stand out from its rivals in important quality surveys, such as J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study and Vehicle Dependability Study.

The 2016 Malibu also endured some harsh weather through drives in scorching Yuma, Arizona - which averages 41 degrees Celsius in July - and the sub-zero cold of Northern Canada - which averages a low of -25 degrees Celsius in January. At the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, the Malibu put in several hours in the Climatic Wind Tunnel, where temperatures can be raised to 60 degrees Celsius or lowered to -40 degrees Celsius.