It’s no secret that Mazda makes some of the safest and most reliable SUVs and cars on the market. Mazda vehicles frequently earn top rankings from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and they’re praised by critics and drivers alike.
The brand has added another feather to its safety cap as Consumer Reports named Mazda the first-ever safest new car brand. The newly released safety verdict assessment highlights which vehicles are best at preventing crashes or protecting you if one occurs, and Mazda tops the list.
Vehicle safety is an essential factor when shopping for a new car or SUV. Knowing which vehicles are actually the safest can take quite a bit of research and comparison. Consumer Reports has made this easier with its new safety verdict.
The safety verdict assessment requires that vehicles achieve the following criteria:
“A safe car has predictable handling and braking in everyday driving and emergencies, controls that don’t distract you, technology that can prevent a crash in the first place, and a design that protects occupants if a crash occurs,” Emily A. Thomas, PhD, associate director of auto safety at Consumer Reports, said in an article. “The safety verdict rating … makes it simple for car owners and shoppers to understand the level of safety a car provides.”
The brands that rank high on the list, including Mazda SUVs and cars, earned a Consumer Reports Best rating for the new safety verdict. Not only do they have the necessary standard safety features, but they’re also Consumer Reports recommended. This means that these vehicles received high ratings for road-test performance and predicted reliability.
Mazda puts vehicle safety at the forefront of its design. The requirements set forth by Consumer Reports are part of Mazda’s safety design strategy. The brand is committed to seamlessly integrating intuitive technology, advanced engineering, and predictable vehicle responsiveness, so you feel confident on every drive from school drop-offs and daily work commutes in Richmond to summer road trips with the family.
“Safety is foundational to Mazda’s engineering philosophy, and we are honored that Consumer Reports has recognized our unwavering commitment to helping protect drivers, passengers, and everyone who shares the road,” Jennifer Morrison, Mazda North American Operations Director of Vehicle Safety, said in a press release. “This recognition reflects the work of our global engineering teams to integrate advanced safety technologies and outstanding vehicle dynamics into every model we build.”
Mazda makes some of the safest SUVs and safest cars on the market. Not only is this evidenced by the Consumer Reports verdict, but by IIHS and NHTSA awards as well.
For the 2026 model year, the Mazda3 sedan, Mazda3 hatchback, Mazda CX-30, Mazda CX-50, Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, Mazda CX-70, Mazda CX-70 PHEV, Mazda CX-90, and Mazda CX-90 PHEV all earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards.
The 2026 Mazda3 sedan, 2026 Mazda3 hatchback, 2026 Mazda CX-30, 2026 Mazda CX-50, 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, 2026 Mazda CX-70, 2026 Mazda CX-70 PHEV, 2026 Mazda CX-90, and 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV all earned NHTSA 5-star overall safety ratings.
All Mazda cars and SUVs are equipped with the i-ACTIVSENSE® suite of safety features. This system uses milliwave cameras and radars to provide awareness of your surroundings at all times. The active and passive features alert you to potential hazards and collisions or lessen the severity if a collision is unavoidable.
Mazda’s passive safety technology helps to reduce damage and protect occupants in the event of a crash. These features include the SRS airbag system, seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, an anti-intrusion brake pedal, and the rigid SKYACTIV®-Body with ring structure.
The active safety features help to prevent a collision by supporting your ability to anticipate and avoid impact via auditory and visual alerts. These features include lane departure warning system, blindspot monitoring, front cross traffic alert, Mazda radar cruise control, lane keep assist, high beam control, and more.
Mazda’s commitment to safety makes its vehicle lineup attractive to potential buyers. To learn more about Mazda SUVs and Mazda cars, contact our team or explore our new Mazda inventory online. Want to experience Mazda safety for yourself? Visit Whitten Mazda, your local Mazda dealership in Richmond, to test drive one of these reliable SUVs or cars. We look forward to helping you find the Mazda SUV or car that’s the best fit for you!
