The 2020 Mazda CX-5 remains a popular choice in the compact SUV segment, and for good reason. Beyond its sleek design and engaging driving dynamics, safety is a key factor for many car buyers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rigorously tested the Mazda CX-5, providing comprehensive safety ratings that can help you make an informed decision. This article delves into the IIHS crash test results for the 2020 Mazda CX-5, offering a detailed analysis of its performance in various safety evaluations.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver and Passenger Side
The small overlap front crash test is designed to simulate what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or a narrow object like a tree or pole. This is a particularly challenging test because it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the vehicle. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 performed admirably in both the driver-side and passenger-side small overlap front tests.
Driver-Side Small Overlap Front
The driver-side small overlap test of the Mazda CX-5 resulted in a “Good” overall rating, the highest possible. Key evaluation criteria and measurements include:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) | |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G (Good) | |
| Driver Injury Measures | ||
| Head/Neck | G (Good) | HIC-15: 195 |
| Chest | G (Good) | Maximum Compression: 24 mm |
| Hip/Thigh | G (Good) | Femur Force (Left): 0.7 kN, (Right): 0.3 kN |
| Lower Leg/Foot | G (Good) | Maximum Tibia Index (Left): 0.55, (Right): 0.40 |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G (Good) | |
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion | ||
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 4 cm | |
| Footrest | 6 cm | |
| Left Toepan | 4 cm | |
| Brake Pedal | 6 cm | |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 1 cm | |
| Steering Column | 1 cm | |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 4 cm | |
| Upper Dash | 5 cm | |
| Lower Instrument Panel | 6 cm |
These results indicate that the structure of the 2020 CX-5 effectively protected the driver. Intrusion into the occupant compartment was minimal, and injury measures recorded on the driver dummy were low across all body regions. The restraint system also performed well, controlling dummy movement effectively.
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front
The passenger-side small overlap test is equally crucial as it assesses the protection offered to the front passenger. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 again earned a “Good” rating in this evaluation.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) | |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G (Good) | |
| Passenger Injury Measures | ||
| Head/Neck | G (Good) | HIC-15: 262 |
| Chest | G (Good) | Maximum Compression: 19 mm |
| Hip/Thigh | G (Good) | Femur Force (Left): 1.4 kN, (Right): 1.9 kN |
| Lower Leg/Foot | G (Good) | Maximum Tibia Index (Left): 0.37, (Right): 0.59 |
| Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G (Good) | |
| Driver Injury Measures | ||
| Head/Neck | G (Good) | HIC-15: 70 |
| Chest | G (Good) | Maximum Compression: 32 mm |
| Hip/Thigh | G (Good) | Femur Force (Left): 0.3 kN, (Right): 0.3 kN |
| Lower Leg/Foot | G (Good) | Maximum Tibia Index (Left): 0.31, (Right): 0.31 |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G (Good) | |
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion | ||
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 8 cm | |
| Footrest | 9 cm | |
| Right Toepan | 7 cm | |
| Center Toepan | 2 cm | |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 1 cm | |
| Center Dash | 4 cm | |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 6 cm | |
| Upper Dash | 6 cm | |
| Right Lower Dash | 6 cm |
Similar to the driver-side test, the 2020 CX-5 provided excellent protection for the passenger. The structural integrity held up well, and injury risks for the passenger were minimal. It’s noteworthy that the driver dummy in the passenger-side test also showed low injury measures, indicating good overall crashworthiness of the vehicle structure.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
In the moderate overlap front test, the entire front of the vehicle impacts a deformable barrier at 40 mph. This test evaluates how well the vehicle’s front structure and restraint systems protect the driver in a more common type of frontal collision. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 received a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) | |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G (Good) | |
| Driver Injury Measures | ||
| Head/Neck | G (Good) | HIC-15: 104 |
| Chest | G (Good) | Maximum Compression: 31 mm |
| Leg/Foot, Left | G (Good) | Femur Force (Left): 0.3 kN, Tibia Index (Left): 0.35 |
| Leg/Foot, Right | G (Good) | Femur Force (Right): 0.8 kN, Tibia Index (Right): 0.50 |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G (Good) | |
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion | ||
| Footrest Intrusion | 1 cm | |
| Left Footwell Intrusion | 2 cm | |
| Center Footwell Intrusion | 5 cm | |
| Right Footwell Intrusion | 4 cm | |
| Brake Pedal Intrusion | 2 cm | |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (Left) | 0 cm | |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (Right) | -1 cm | |
| Steering Column Upward Movement | -1 cm | |
| Steering Column Rearward Movement | -5 cm | |
| A-Pillar Rearward Movement | 0 cm |
The 2020 CX-5 demonstrated excellent structural performance in this test. Intrusion into the driver’s footwell was limited, and measurements on the driver dummy indicated a low risk of significant injuries. The steering column movement was also well-controlled, contributing to the good head and chest protection.
Side Impact Crash Tests: Original and Updated
Side impact crashes are particularly dangerous because there is less structure to protect occupants in these collisions. The IIHS conducts two types of side impact tests: the original side test and an updated, more severe side test. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 performed well in both.
Original Side Crash Test
In the original side crash test, a moving deformable barrier strikes the driver’s side of a stationary vehicle. The 2020 CX-5 achieved a “Good” rating in this test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) | |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G (Good) | |
| Driver Injury Measures | ||
| Head/Neck | G (Good) | HIC-15: 209 |
| Torso | G (Good) | Maximum Deflection: 27 mm |
| Pelvis/Leg | G (Good) | Combined Pelvis Force: 2.4 kN |
| Driver Head Protection | G (Good) | |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | ||
| Head/Neck | G (Good) | HIC-15: 152 |
| Torso | G (Good) | Maximum Deflection: 20 mm |
| Pelvis/Leg | G (Good) | Combined Pelvis Force: 3.0 kN |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | G (Good) | |
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion | ||
| B-Pillar Intrusion | -23.0 cm |
The measurements from the driver and rear passenger dummies were low, indicating a minimal risk of significant injuries in this type of side impact. The side airbags and structural design of the CX-5 effectively protected occupants.
Updated Side Crash Test
The updated side crash test is more demanding, using a heavier barrier and higher impact speed to better represent the forces involved in modern side-impact crashes, particularly those involving larger SUVs and trucks. In this more stringent test, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 still achieved a “Good” overall rating, although with an “Acceptable” rating for driver torso injury, a slight decrease from “Good” in other categories.
Image: Post-crash view of the 2020 Mazda CX-5 in the updated side impact test, showcasing deployed side airbags.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating | Measurement (Test ID: CES2007 & CES2108) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) | |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G (Good) | |
| Driver Injury Measures | ||
| Head/Neck | G (Good) | HIC-15: 165 & 155 |
| Torso | A (Acceptable) | Maximum Deflection: 41 mm & 34 mm |
| Pelvis | G (Good) | Combined Pelvis Force: 3.9 kN & 3.8 kN |
| Driver Head Protection | G (Good) | |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | Measurement (Test ID: CES2108) | |
| Head/Neck | G (Good) | HIC-15: 307 |
| Torso | G (Good) | Maximum Deflection: 32 mm |
| Pelvis | G (Good) | Combined Pelvis Force: 2.7 kN |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | G (Good) | |
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion | Measurement (Test ID: CES2007 & CES2108) | |
| B-Pillar Intrusion | -17.0 cm & -19.0 cm |
Despite the more challenging nature of the updated test, the 2020 CX-5 continued to provide robust protection. The “Acceptable” rating for driver torso injury indicates a slightly higher, but still relatively low, risk of torso injury compared to other body regions and the original side test. The rear passenger remained well-protected with “Good” ratings across all injury measures.
Image: Close-up of the 2020 Mazda CX-5 after the updated side impact test, doors removed to reveal the integrity of the occupant compartment and deployed side airbags.
Image: Grease paint on the driver dummy’s head in the 2020 Mazda CX-5 side impact test, illustrating head protection by side airbags.
Image: Grease paint on the rear passenger dummy’s head in the 2020 Mazda CX-5 side impact test, demonstrating head protection for rear occupants.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test evaluates the structural integrity of the roof in rollover crashes. A strong roof can prevent roof crush, reducing the risk of injury in such accidents. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 earned a “Good” rating for roof strength.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) | |
| Curb Weight | 3,498 lbs | |
| Peak Force | 19,362 lbs | |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | 5.54 |
The strength-to-weight ratio of 5.54 signifies that the 2020 CX-5’s roof can withstand over five times the vehicle’s weight before significant crush, indicating excellent roof strength performance.
Head Restraints and Seats
Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end collisions. Good head restraints and seat design can help minimize whiplash risk. The IIHS evaluates head restraints and seats based on dynamic testing and geometric measurements. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 with manual cloth seats received a “Good” rating in this evaluation.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) | |
| Dynamic Rating | G (Good) | Max T1 Acceleration: 11.0 g |
| Seat/Head Restraint Geometry | G (Good) | Backset: 27 mm, Distance Below Top of Head: 2 mm |
The dynamic test performance and seat geometry measurements both contributed to the “Good” overall rating, indicating effective whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Headlight Ratings
Good headlights are crucial for preventing nighttime crashes. The IIHS evaluates headlights based on visibility provided in various driving scenarios and glare produced for oncoming drivers. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 has different headlight options depending on the trim level, and ratings vary accordingly.
Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature Trims Headlights
These trims come equipped with LED projector headlights that are curve-adaptive and have high-beam assist. These headlights received a “Good” overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | G (Good) |
| Low-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| High-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | Yes |
| High-Beam Assist? | Yes |
These premium headlights offer good visibility on straightaways and curves with both low and high beams, and the high-beam assist feature further enhances visibility in various driving conditions.
Sport Trim Headlights
The Sport trim features LED projector headlights without curve-adaptive functionality but still includes high-beam assist. These headlights also earned a “Good” overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | G (Good) |
| Low-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| High-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | No |
| High-Beam Assist? | Yes |
While not curve-adaptive, the Sport trim headlights still provide good overall visibility and benefit from high-beam assist.
Touring Trim Headlights
The Touring trim also comes with LED projector headlights, non-curve-adaptive, and with high-beam assist. However, these headlights received an “Acceptable” overall rating, slightly lower than the other trims.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | A (Acceptable) |
| Low-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| High-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | No |
| High-Beam Assist? | Yes |
While still rated as “Acceptable,” the Touring trim headlights have some limitations in visibility, particularly on curves with low beams and across all tested curves with high beams, as detailed in the original report.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Pedestrian
Forward collision prevention systems are increasingly important safety features. The IIHS tests two types of front crash prevention systems: vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian detection. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 boasts “Superior” ratings in both categories when equipped with its standard systems.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention
The 2020 CX-5 comes standard with Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection and Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning. These systems earned a “Superior” rating in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
| Forward Collision Warning | Meets Requirements |
| 12 mph Test | Collision Avoided |
| 25 mph Test | Collision Avoided |
The system successfully avoided collisions in both the 12 mph and 25 mph tests, demonstrating excellent vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention capabilities.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Day)
The same standard systems also earned an “Advanced” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention in daytime conditions.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Advanced |
| Crossing Child (12 mph) | Impact Speed Reduced by 10 mph |
| Crossing Child (25 mph) | Impact Speed Reduced by 21 mph |
| Crossing Adult (12 mph) | Impact Speed Reduced by 11 mph |
| Crossing Adult (25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel Adult (25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel Adult (37 mph) | Impact Speed Reduced by 36 mph |
The system showed strong performance in pedestrian detection, avoiding collisions in several scenarios and significantly reducing impact speed in others, earning it an “Advanced” rating.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Ease of use for child seat anchors is important for ensuring proper child seat installation. The IIHS evaluates LATCH systems based on their ease of use. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 received an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH system.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | A (Acceptable) |
| Number of Seating Positions with Complete LATCH | 2 |
While rated “Acceptable,” the CX-5 has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor and borrowing capability. The lower anchors in positions 1 and 3 were noted as being deep in the seat, requiring some force to attach, which contributed to the “Acceptable” rating rather than “Good.”
Conclusion: 2020 Mazda CX-5 – A Safe Choice
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, as evidenced by its consistently high ratings in IIHS crash tests. Earning mostly “Good” ratings across various evaluations, including the demanding small overlap and updated side impact tests, the CX-5 provides excellent occupant protection. Its “Superior” vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and “Advanced” pedestrian front crash prevention systems further enhance its safety profile. While headlight ratings vary by trim, and the LATCH system is rated “Acceptable,” the overall safety performance of the 2020 Mazda CX-5 positions it as a top contender for safety-conscious buyers in the compact SUV market. For those prioritizing safety alongside style and driving enjoyment, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 is a compelling option.
