2021 Mazda CX-5 scores at IIHS safety test

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has emerged out of the U.S.A Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as the only SUV to achieve a 'good' safety rating in the side imapct test in this latest round of vehicle testing, which includes a rigorous new side impact test.

Conducting these tougher collision tests for the first time, the IIHS noted that the CX-5 stood out among a group of 2020 and 2021 model year SUVs offered in the U.S.A.

All 2021 model year Mazda cars and SUVs tested by IIHS so far have been rated 'Top Safety Pick +', the institution’s highest possible overall ranking. The new side impact test carried out on the CX-5 was introduced to replicate a side impact from a large modern SUV or pickup truck into the cars doors and B-Pillar.

The test uses a heavier barrier than its predecessor travelling at a higher speed, with the end result being 82% more crash energy than the previous test. The barrier was also redesigned to better imitate a real-world side impact from a large SUV or pickup.

The IIHS commented on the test, saying, "The Mazda CX-5 was our top performer", further adding that, "the vehicle structure held up extremely well during the test, the airbags did a really good job of protecting the heads of the crash test dummies and there was very little intrusion into the occupant compartment, meaning less likelihood of injury. This is how we'd like to see all vehicles perform in the future."