You're safer in a Mazda 3, upgraded IIHS side-impact test shows

After the Mazda CX-5 scored the lone “Good” rating out of 20 SUVs tested by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety with its more stringent side-impact test published last year, another model from the Hiroshima brand was likewise given the only “Good” rating in the upgraded side-impact test conducted on small cars. 

The IIHS announced that only the Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback received the “Good” rating among 11 car models tested by the safety institution. The Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla sedan and hatchback, and the Honda Civic sedan and hatchback all received “Acceptable” ratings. 

While the Kia Forte, Subaru Crosstrek and Imprezza were all rated “Poor” in the new side-impact testing standard of the IIHS. 

The side-impact crash test was made stricter to represent real-world collision caused by an average midsize SUV. The new test represents a T-bone impact of an average SUV crashing perpendicularly into another vehicle. According to the institute’s research, its previous test did not properly synthesize real-world impacts that cause passenger deaths. The new barrier’s weight has been raised to 4,200 pounds versus the previous tests using a 3,300-pound barrier. Striking speeds were also increased to 37 mph (59.5 km/h) versus the old standard of 31 mph (49.89 km/h).

What makes the Mazda 3 safer?

The Mazda 3, introduced locally in 2019, has a structure and safety cage that secured passenger crash-test dummies during the test. Its airbags likewise secured the heads of the crash-test dummies even with the torso and pelvis still at risk. 

In comparison, the “Acceptable” models all suffered from intrusion from the barrier upon impact, which according to the IIHS, puts the passengers at significant risk. 

While the doors of small cars offer weaker protection from the raised barrier used in the new test procedure, the smaller dimensions of small cars also mean there are smaller weak areas compared to mid-sized cars. The Mazda 3 seems to have provided ample side-impact protection to its passengers compared to the other cars based on the results of this round of tests.

How much do these safety ratings affect your decision to choose one car over another?