Mazda CX-5 Slides in as an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus

When the CX-5 underwent its full redesign for 2017, it had a lot to live up to. Not only was the model it replaced fun to drive and comfortable, but it was among the safest crossovers on the road. While I can’t speak to the first two qualities, I can now say it meets the latter — at least according to the IIHS.

In IIHS testing, the CX-5 earned the institute’s highest rating of Top Safety Pick Plus. This is not only the fourth straight year fourth straight year the CX-5 received this honor, but this also makes Mazda the only automaker with every one of its 2017 models rated a Top Safety Pick Plus. You read that right, every 2017 Mazda, including the 3,6, CX-3, CX-5, and CX-9, is a Top Safety Pick Plus.

To earn this honor, the CX-5 had to get a good rating in all five crash tests, a superior or advanced rating in the front crash prevention test, and score at least an acceptable rating in the headlight test. The latter was by far the toughest, as the CX-5 just squeaked by with the required minimum rating. This is only valid in its Sport and Grand Touring trims, as the Touring trim, for some reason, received a marginal rating.

As for the front crash prevention, the CX-5’s standard Smart City Brake Support was enough to get it the required advanced rating, but the optional i-Activesense Package’s more robust automatic emergency braking put it over the top with its superior rating.

So, technically, buyers can get a Top Safety Pick Plus-rated vehicle in the base 2017 CX-5 Sport. Typically, you have to bump up to higher trims to get this rating. That’s a pleasant surprise.

The 2017 CX-5 starts from $24,045 and is in showrooms now.