RICHMOND HILL, ON – The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the 2026 Mazda CX-5 its highest honor, the TOP SAFETY PICK+, marking Mazda's 100th IIHS Top Safety Award since the program began in 2008. Of those, 74 have been the top-tier TOP SAFETY PICK+.
Mazda Surpasses All Brands with Eight 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ Awards
Earlier this year, Mazda had already earned seven IIHS 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards for models sold in Canada. With the CX-5 addition, Mazda now leads all automakers with eight such awards for the 2026 model year. The CX-5 joins the 2026 Mazda3, Mazda3 Sport hatchback, CX-30, CX-70, CX-70 PHEV, CX-90, and CX-90 PHEV in achieving this distinction.
Stringent Criteria for 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+
To qualify, vehicles must earn good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side crash tests. Headlights must be rated acceptable or good across all trims. Standard front crash prevention systems must achieve a good rating in the pedestrian test and an acceptable or good rating in the vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0 test. Optional systems must meet the same standards.
Industry and Company Reactions
“As this milestone shows, Mazda has consistently demonstrated a commitment to safety and acted quickly to improve its vehicles as our award criteria have evolved,” said IIHS President David Harkey.
“Earning an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award for the 2026 CX-5 reflects Mazda’s commitment to protecting those who trust us with their safety every day,” said Jennifer Morrison, MNAO Director of Vehicle Safety Strategy. “By combining thoughtful engineering, human-centric design, and advanced safety technologies, we are creating vehicles that help prevent crashes and better protect occupants – all in pursuit of our goal of zero fatalities in Mazda vehicles by 2040.”
About Mazda Canada Inc.
Mazda Canada Inc., headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, oversees sales, marketing, customer service, and parts for Mazda vehicles across Canada through a network of 163 retail stores. For more information, visit Mazda Canada’s media website at www.media.mazda.ca.
