Mazda CX-5 Safety Ratings | All Model Years

mazda cx-5 suv

From the day the Mazda CX-5 launched in 2013, safety has been one of its calling cards. At Sport Mazda North, we pay close attention to how each CX-5 generation performs in independent crash tests from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), because our guests rely on us to explain what those ratings mean in the real world.

Below, we walk through CX-5 safety performance year by year, starting with the newest models. Where multiple years share the same structure, safety hardware and crash test results, we group them together so you can see long term trends at a glance.

2026 Mazda CX-5 Safety Overview

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is an all-new redesign that builds on an already strong safety legacy. Mazda has announced a larger body, updated structure and an expanded suite of i-Activsense driver assistance features, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and an available 360 degree camera system.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 now has an official IIHS safety result, earning a 2026 Top Safety Pick+ designation. NHTSA has also selected the 2026 CX-5 for its 5-Star Safety Ratings crash test program and for advanced crash avoidance technology verification, but official federal star ratings have not yet been published. That means the 2026 CX-5 already has strong current safety credentials from IIHS, while its formal NHTSA scores are still pending.

As soon as official crash test scores are available, you can expect the safety story for the 2026 CX-5 to look very familiar: a robust body structure, advanced restraint systems and a full set of active safety features across the lineup.

2025, 2024 and 2023 Mazda CX-5 Safety Ratings

The 2023 through 2025 CX-5 models share the same basic body structure and core safety hardware, so their crash test performance is effectively identical.

The IIHS tested the updated moderate overlap front crash on a 2024 CX-5 and rated it Good overall, with Good scores for the structure, driver injury measures and restraints. That updated test and rating applies directly to 2023, 2024 and 2025 models.

Key points for 2023 to 2025 CX-5 safety:

  • Good ratings across the board in small overlap front (driver and passenger), original moderate overlap front and side impact tests for 2017 to 2025 models.

  • Beginning with 2023 models, Mazda added rear seat belt load limiters and pre tensioners to improve protection for rear passengers in the updated moderate overlap frontal crash.

  • In 2024, the CX-5 earned the highest rating in IIHS’s newest updated moderate overlap test, reinforcing how well the cabin protects both front and rear occupants.

On the federal side, the 2024 Mazda CX-5 is advertised with a 5 Star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA, continuing a pattern set by earlier model years.

For families shopping 2023, 2024 or 2025 CX-5 models around Longwood and the greater Orlando area, the takeaway is simple: these SUVs pair a top tier crash structure with a very modern suite of i-Activsense driver assist features, including standard automatic emergency braking and available features like adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition.

Covered years here: 2025, 2024, 2023.

2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 Mazda CX-5 Safety Ratings

Mazda redesigned the CX-5 for 2017, and this second generation carried through the 2022 model year. The underlying safety story for 2017 to 2022 is very consistent: strong crash performance, excellent roof strength and head restraint scores, and growing layers of driver assistance technology as the years progress.

Highlights from this era:

  • The 2017 Mazda CX-5 earned IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights, and Mazda noted that every 2017 Mazda model tested achieved Top Safety Pick Plus status.

  • The 2018 CX-5 was again named an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus when built after March 2018 with specific headlights.

  • The 2020 model continued to appear on IIHS Top Safety Pick lists, reflecting good crashworthiness and available advanced front crash prevention.

  • For 2021 and 2022, the CX-5 earned IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus, and the 2021 CX-5 was recognized as the only vehicle to achieve the highest rating in the then new IIHS side impact test while also sharing in Mazda’s sweep of Top Safety Pick Plus awards across all tested models.

NHTSA ratings during this period were also very strong. For example:

  • The 2018 CX-5 received a 5 star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA.

  • The 2019 CX-5 earned a perfect 5 star overall NHTSA rating with 5 stars in most collision tests and 4 stars in rollover.

By the later years in this group, Mazda had also added features such as advanced pedestrian detection, enhanced automatic emergency braking and a wider rollout of blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, which helped the CX-5 achieve an advanced rating in IIHS pedestrian crash prevention testing for 2019.

For our guests, this means that any 2017 through 2022 CX-5 offers a very high baseline of crash protection. Newer years in this block tend to deliver more standard driver assistance technology and polished software tuning, but the underlying structure and core protection remained consistently strong.

Covered years here: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017.

2016, 2015 and 2014 Mazda CX-5 Safety Ratings

Before the 2017 redesign, Mazda updated the first generation CX-5 with more available active safety technology, and those changes show up clearly in crash test awards.

Key points:

  • The 2015 and 2016 Mazda CX-5 earned IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus when equipped with optional front crash prevention.

  • The 2014 Mazda CX-5 was recognized by IIHS as a Top Safety Pick and also qualified for Top Safety Pick Plus status when equipped with optional front crash prevention after a certain build date.

On the NHTSA side:

  • The 2015 CX-5 received a 5 star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA, with 5 stars in front and side crash tests and 4 stars in rollover.

  • Public discussions of 2016 scores note a slight change in individual frontal barrier results, yet the CX-5 continued to perform well overall and kept its reputation as one of the safer compact crossovers in its class.

From our perspective, 2014 through 2016 CX-5 models are an excellent choice for shoppers who want a more budget friendly used SUV but still care deeply about safety. The structure was tuned to earn top marks in that era’s crash tests and, when equipped with available front crash prevention, these models were at the front of the pack for active safety too.

Covered years here: 2016, 2015, 2014.

2013 Mazda CX-5 Safety Ratings

The CX-5 nameplate debuted for the 2013 model year, and Mazda started strong.

IIHS notes that the 2013 CX-5 earned a Good overall rating in the moderate overlap frontal crash test, with Good scores for the structure and all measured driver injury areas. That rating applies to 2013 through 2016 models.

Mazda and indtingependent reviews from the time highlight that the CX-5’s combination of solid crash test performance and responsive handling made it stand out against many of its early compact SUV rivals. MotorTrend, for instance, notes that the 2014 and 2015 CX-5 earned Good scores across IIHS categories and achieved top safety awards as the test program evolved.

If you are looking at an early CX-5, we generally recommend focusing on 2014 and newer for the most comprehensive mix of crash protection and available active safety technology, but the original 2013 model already set a high bar in its class.

Covered year here: 2013.

How To Use These Safety Ratings As A Shopper

Looking across all these model years, a few patterns stand out that we talk about often with our guests at Sport Mazda North:

  • The CX-5 has consistently earned Good crashworthiness scores from IIHS from 2013 onward, with many years receiving Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus awards when properly equipped.

  • Numerous CX-5 model years, including 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2024, have earned a 5 star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA, making the CX-5 one of the more reliable choices in the compact SUV segment for long term safety performance.

  • Later years add more advanced standard driver assistance technology, and starting in 2023 Mazda specifically enhanced rear seat restraint systems to perform even better in newer crash tests that focus on back seat occupants.

If you are prioritizing the very latest crash test protocols and driver aid features, 2021 and newer CX-5 models will be most appealing. If you want strong crash protection at a lower price point, 2017 to 2020 models balance modern safety hardware with used vehicle value.

Conclusion: Let Sport Mazda North Help You Choose The Safest CX-5 For You

No matter which model year you are considering, the Mazda CX-5 has a long track record of strong safety ratings. From the original 2013 model that launched with Good IIHS crash test scores, through multiple generations of IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick Plus awards, to the redesigned 2026 CX-5 that is already queued up for the next round of NHTSA testing, safety has never been an afterthought for this SUV.

As a Mazda dealer, we stay on top of these details so we can walk you through exactly how each year’s ratings translate into real world confidence around Winter Springs, Longwood and the greater Orlando area. If you would like personalized guidance on which CX-5 model years fit your safety priorities and budget, we are here to help you compare options, review vehicle history reports and arrange test drives.

When you are ready to explore Mazda CX-5 models in person, visit Sport Mazda North or contact our team and we will help you find a CX-5 that matches both your safety expectations and your daily driving needs.