How Mazda Safety Ratings Compare Across Models

If safety is a top priority when shopping for your next vehicle, Mazda has a compelling story to tell. For 2025, Mazda earned eight IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards, more of the highest designation in vehicle safety than any other brand. That kind of performance across an entire lineup doesn’t happen by accident. Understanding how Mazda safety ratings are earned, and what they mean for each model, gives Gastonia drivers the context they need to make a truly informed purchase.

What the Numbers and Awards Actually Mean

Vehicle safety ratings in the U.S. come from two independent organizations: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). NHTSA uses a 1-to-5-star system, with five stars representing the highest level of occupant protection across frontal crash, side crash, and rollover resistance tests. The IIHS uses a four-tier scale of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor, and awards Top Safety Pick or the more demanding Top Safety Pick+ to vehicles that earn top scores across all crash tests while also meeting headlight and pedestrian front crash prevention standards.

Both sets of vehicle safety ratings measure different things, which is why checking both matters. NHTSA places more emphasis on airbag and seatbelt restraint performance, while IIHS leans harder into structural integrity, including the small overlap front crash test, which simulates a collision with a telephone pole or tree at 40 mph using only 25 percent of the vehicle’s front end.

How the CX-5 and Mazda3 Perform

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is one of the brand’s most popular models, and it backs that popularity with strong safety credentials. It holds a 5-star overall NHTSA rating, including five stars in both frontal and side crash categories and a 4-star rollover resistance rating. On the IIHS side, the CX-5 earned Good ratings across key crash tests and carries the Top Safety Pick+ designation. Standard i-Activsense features on the CX-5 include Smart Brake Support with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go.

The 2025 Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback both earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ as well, alongside a 5-star overall NHTSA rating. Are there differences between the sedan and hatchback when it comes to safety? Both share the same core i-Activsense suite and earned the same top designations from both agencies, making either body style a strong choice for safety-minded drivers.

Stepping Up: CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90

Moving up the SUV ladder, Mazda safety ratings remain consistently strong. The 2025 CX-50 earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Car and Driver noted the CX-50’s updated driver assistance features, including pedestrian detection, rear-seat alerts, and adaptive cruise control. The CX-70 and CX-70 PHEV both earned the same Top Safety Pick+ designation.

At the top of the lineup, the 2025 CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV round out Mazda’s sweep of eight Top Safety Pick+ awards. U.S. News & World Report listed the CX-90 among the safest midsize SUVs available and called its standard safety feature list impressive, highlighting the driver attention monitoring system, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and vehicle exit warning as standard equipment across the board.

What Sets Mazda Apart

What distinguishes Mazda from many competitors is that i-Activsense safety technology isn’t reserved for upper trims. Core features like Smart Brake Support, blind spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist are standard across the lineup, which means Mazda safety ratings reflect what buyers actually get, not just what’s available on the top package. That consistency is worth factoring into any serious vehicle safety ratings comparison.

At Mazda of Gastonia in Gastonia, NC, the team can walk you through the specific safety scores for any model on the lot and help you find the trim that fits your needs. When safety matters most, Mazda’s numbers speak for themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Mazda Safety Ratings Compare Across Models

How many IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards did Mazda earn for 2025?

Mazda earned eight IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards for 2025, more than any other brand. The awarded vehicles include the Mazda3 Sedan, Mazda3 Hatchback, CX-30, CX-50, CX-70, CX-70 PHEV, CX-90, and CX-90 PHEV.

Does the 2025 Mazda CX-5 have a 5-star NHTSA safety rating?

Yes. The 2025 Mazda CX-5 holds a 5-star overall NHTSA rating, including five stars in frontal and side crash tests and a 4-star rollover resistance rating.

Is Mazda i-Activsense standard on all models?

Core i-Activsense features including Smart Brake Support, blind spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist are standard across Mazda’s lineup. Some advanced features like the 360-degree view monitor are available on higher trims.

Where can I compare Mazda safety ratings in person?

The team at Mazda of Gastonia in Gastonia, NC can walk you through NHTSA and IIHS results for each model and help you identify which trim level best fits your safety priorities.