2026 Mazda CX-5 Safety Award Adds SUV Checklist
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 has added a notable safety credential for small-SUV shoppers. Mazda announced that the redesigned CX-5 earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, the highest award in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s current program.
The announcement is useful because safety ratings are easier to compare when shoppers know what the award requires. Mazda said the 2026 criteria include good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front and side tests; acceptable or good headlights across trims; and standard front crash prevention systems that meet pedestrian and vehicle-to-vehicle performance requirements.
The award also gives families a reminder to compare more than brand reputation. A safety-conscious shopper should review crash-test results, headlight ratings, driver-assistance features, rear-seat needs, visibility, child-seat fit and braking feel. Those details can vary by model year and trim, even within familiar nameplates.
Safety Items To Review Before Buying
Start with independent ratings. The IIHS Top Safety Picks list helps shoppers see which vehicles meet current IIHS standards, while NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings provide another government-backed reference point. Neither source replaces a test drive, but both can narrow a shopping list.
Next, check trim-level equipment. Some driver-assistance features may be standard, while others can depend on package or model year. Shoppers comparing new and used SUVs should confirm the exact vehicle has the features they expect, such as blind-spot monitoring, lane support, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
It is also worth reviewing how a vehicle will be used. A commuter may prioritize headlights, visibility and lane support, while a family may look more closely at rear-seat access, child-seat anchors, cargo space and second-row comfort. A strong crash-test result is one part of the decision, but the day-to-day fit still needs to work for the people using the vehicle.
Shoppers comparing model years should be careful with assumptions. A redesigned vehicle may earn a newer rating under a different test program, while an older version may have been rated under different standards. That is why it helps to look up the exact year, model and body style instead of relying on a general reputation for safety.
A test drive should include the safety technology, not just acceleration and ride comfort. Drivers should understand how lane alerts, parking sensors and automatic emergency braking warnings appear, and whether the settings are easy to adjust. Helpful technology is most valuable when the driver understands it and keeps it enabled.
Bring the whole household when possible.
Ownership condition still matters. Tires, brakes, windshield condition, lighting and prior repairs all affect how a vehicle feels and performs in real-world driving. A vehicle with strong safety ratings should still be inspected carefully, and ongoing service should stay current through the ownership period.
The CX-5 award is a positive data point, not a one-vehicle answer for every household. Families should compare seating, cargo space, fuel economy, financing and trade value along with safety. Readers building an SUV shortlist can pair safety research with finance planning and ongoing automotive shopping guides before deciding.
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