For those prioritizing safety in their vehicle choice, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 stands out as a compelling option. Building upon Mazda’s commitment to vehicle safety, the 2020 CX-5 has undergone rigorous testing to ensure occupant protection in various collision scenarios. This article delves into the safety ratings of the 2020 Mazda CX-5, providing a comprehensive overview of its crashworthiness and preventative safety features, drawing from the detailed reports of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Understanding these ratings can empower you to make an informed decision when considering a 2020 CX-5.
Crashworthiness of the 2020 Mazda CX-5: A Detailed Look at Crash Test Performance
The IIHS conducts a series of crash tests to evaluate vehicle safety, simulating different types of real-world collisions. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 has been subjected to these tests, and its performance provides valuable insights into its ability to protect occupants in the event of a crash. Let’s examine the results across various crash scenarios.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Stringent Evaluation of Frontal Impact
The small overlap frontal test is particularly challenging, as it assesses how well a vehicle protects occupants when only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts another vehicle or a narrow object. This test is crucial because it can bypass the main energy-absorbing structures in the front of the car. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 earned the highest rating of “Good” in both driver-side and passenger-side small overlap tests, indicating robust structural integrity and effective occupant protection.
Driver-Side Small Overlap Frontal Test: Excellent Protection for the Driver
The driver-side small overlap test simulates a collision where the front left corner of the vehicle impacts an object. For the 2020 Mazda CX-5, this test was conducted based on Mazda’s data submission to IIHS, and the results are impressive.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The measurements taken during the test further illustrate the 2020 CX-5’s protective capabilities. Minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment was observed, with maximum intrusion of 4 cm at the lower hinge pillar and 6 cm at the footrest. Crucially, driver injury measures were all rated “Good,” with low risk of injury to the head, neck, chest, hip, thigh, and lower leg/foot.
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Frontal Test: Extending Excellent Protection to Passengers
The passenger-side small overlap test mirrors the driver-side test but evaluates protection for the front passenger. Again, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 achieved a “Good” rating, demonstrating consistent safety performance across the front seating positions.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
While the passenger side showed slightly more intrusion in some areas compared to the driver side (e.g., 8 cm at the lower hinge pillar, 9 cm at the footrest), all injury measures for both passenger and driver dummies remained at the “Good” level. This confirms that the 2020 Mazda CX-5 is engineered to provide excellent protection for all front occupants in a small overlap frontal crash.
Moderate Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Assessing Protection in a Common Collision Type
The moderate overlap frontal test represents a more typical frontal collision, where a significant portion of the vehicle’s front end absorbs the impact. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 also earned a “Good” rating in this test, highlighting its overall robust frontal crash protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, left | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, right | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
Measurements from this test indicate minimal footwell intrusion and good control of steering column and instrument panel movement, all contributing to the “Good” ratings for driver injury measures.
Side Impact Crash Test: Protecting Occupants in Side Collisions
Side impacts are another serious type of collision, and the IIHS conducts side crash tests to evaluate how well vehicles protect occupants in these events. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 received a “Good” overall rating in the updated side crash test, which is a more demanding evaluation than the original side test.
Image: 2020 Mazda CX-5 after updated side crash test, demonstrating airbag deployment.
The updated side test uses a heavier barrier and higher impact speed, making it a more realistic simulation of a severe side collision. Despite the increased severity, the 2020 CX-5 maintained a “Good” rating for structure and safety cage, driver head protection, and rear passenger head protection. Driver injury measures were rated “Good” for head/neck and pelvis, and “Acceptable” for torso, indicating a good level of side impact protection. Rear passenger injury measures were all rated “Good.”
Image: Interior view of 2020 Mazda CX-5 post-side crash test, showcasing side airbags and occupant compartment integrity.
Greasepaint on the dummy heads in the images confirms that the side airbags effectively protected both the driver and rear passenger’s heads from contacting hard structures during the crash.
Beyond Crash Tests: Additional Safety Features of the 2020 CX-5
Beyond crashworthiness, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 is equipped with a range of features designed to prevent accidents and further enhance occupant safety.
Roof Strength: Rollover Protection
In the event of a rollover, a strong roof can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 earned a “Good” rating for roof strength, demonstrating its ability to withstand forces more than five times its own weight.
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,498 lbs |
| Peak force | 19,362 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.54 |
This strong strength-to-weight ratio provides reassurance that the 2020 CX-5’s roof is designed to offer robust protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints and Seats: Whiplash Protection
Good head restraints and seat design are crucial for minimizing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 received a “Good” overall rating for head restraints and seats, both for dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry.
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good (G) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good (G) |
Technical measurements confirm that the head restraint geometry is well-positioned to protect against neck injuries in rear impacts.
Headlights: Visibility for Safer Driving
Visibility is a critical aspect of safety, especially during nighttime driving. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 offers different headlight options, with the LED projector headlights available on Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature trims earning a “Good” overall rating.
| Trim level(s) | – Grand Touring trim – Grand Touring Reserve trim – Signature trim |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Good (G) |
These headlights provide good visibility on straightaways and curves, with high-beam assist further enhancing visibility by automatically switching between high and low beams as needed. The Touring trim’s LED projector headlights received an “Acceptable” rating, still offering a solid level of visibility.
Front Crash Prevention: Advanced Safety Technology
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 comes standard with advanced front crash prevention systems, including Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection and Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning. These systems earned a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
| Overall evaluation (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) | Superior |
|---|
In IIHS tests, the system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle scenarios. For pedestrian front crash prevention (daytime), the system received an “Advanced” rating, demonstrating its ability to mitigate or avoid collisions with pedestrians in various scenarios.
| Overall evaluation (Pedestrian – Day) | Advanced |
|---|
These front crash prevention technologies add an extra layer of safety by actively working to prevent accidents before they occur.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH): Child Passenger Safety
For families with young children, the ease of use and effectiveness of child seat anchors are paramount. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 received an “Acceptable” rating for child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of use.
| Overall evaluation | Acceptable (A) |
|---|
The 2020 CX-5 has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors. While rated “Acceptable,” the system still provides a secure and functional way to install child safety seats.
Conclusion: The 2020 Mazda CX-5 – A Safe and Secure Choice
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving top ratings in IIHS crash tests and offering a comprehensive suite of preventative safety features. From its robust crashworthiness in various collision types to its advanced technologies designed to avoid accidents, the 2020 CX-5 prioritizes occupant protection. For car buyers seeking a safe and reliable vehicle, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 stands as an excellent choice, providing peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.
