Mazda Dominates IIHS Safety Rankings for Third Straight Year

For the third year running, Mazda has earned more IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards than any other automaker for its 2026 lineup. Models ranging from the compact Mazda 3 to the three-row CX-90 all secured the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest safety honor. This achievement is especially notable because the IIHS raised the bar for 2026, adding a tougher vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test that runs at 31, 37 and 43 mph and includes targets like a passenger car, a motorcycle and a semi-trailer.

To qualify for the Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must earn Good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side tests, plus Acceptable or Good marks for headlights, pedestrian crash prevention, and the new vehicle-to-vehicle test.

Eight Mazda models earned the award this year, including the Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback, the CX-30 and CX-50 SUVs, and the midsize CX-70 and CX-90 (including their hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants). The only blemishes across the lineup were Acceptable ratings for headlights and the new front crash prevention test on most models, and a Poor score on the CX-50’s whiplash prevention test, a new evaluation that automakers are expected to improve on.

Notably, the CX-90 starts at just $39,300, proving safety doesn’t require a luxury budget.

For buyers considering used Mazdas, the news is just as good. Looking back over the past five years, the brand’s safety record is consistently strong. The Mazda 3 earned Top Safety Pick+ awards for 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026. The CX-30 has held the top honor for five of the last six model years.

And the CX-70 and CX-90 have earned the highest award every year since their debut. Whether you’re shopping new or pre-owned, Mazda’s commitment to safety makes it a smart choice for South Florida drivers who want protection without the bulk of a giant SUV.