Consumer Reports Names Mazda Its First‑Ever Safest New‑Car Brand

Mazda is proud to be recognized by Consumer Reports as the top‑performing brand in its newly released Safety Verdict assessment—an evaluation that sets a new benchmark for how effectively modern vehicles help drivers avoid crashes and protect occupants when one occurs. The Safety Verdict score reflects a rigorous, holistic review of real‑world safety performance, including crashworthiness, braking and emergency handling, in‑vehicle control usability, and the availability and effectiveness of proven crash‑prevention technologies. Mazda’s strong results demonstrate our long‑standing belief that true safety comes from the seamless integration of advanced engineering, intuitive technology, and vehicles that respond predictably and confidently to the driver.

The Safety Verdict’s highest tier requires standout performance across demanding criteria: Good results in IIHS side‑impact tests, strong moderate‑overlap crash protection, standard highway‑speed automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross‑traffic warning, and predictable, confidence‑inspiring handling in both every day and emergency conditions. These are not new requirements for Mazda—they are principles that have guided our safety strategy for years as part of our commitment to reducing fatalities and serious injuries.

Mazda’s achievement in the new assessment also reflects our disciplined pursuit of top ratings in IIHS crash tests and our human centric engineering philosophy. Every Mazda vehicle is designed so that braking, steering, and handling feel natural and predictable, helping drivers avoid dangerous situations before technology ever needs to intervene. This integration of vehicle dynamics, occupant protection, and advanced driver-assistance systems embodies Mazda’s belief that a safer car should also be a more joyful, confident one to drive.

“Safety is foundational to Mazda’s engineering philosophy, and we are honored that Consumer Reports has recognized our unwavering commitment to helping protect drivers, passengers, and everyone who shares the road,” said MNAO Director of Vehicle Safety Jennifer Morrison. “This recognition reflects the work of our global engineering teams to integrate advanced safety technologies and outstanding vehicle dynamics into every model we build.”

Mazda remains committed to continuous improvement as testing protocols become more rigorous and technologies evolve. Our goal is clear: to deliver vehicles that meet the highest standards of safety while staying true to the joy of driving that defines Mazda. We will continue to push forward with purpose, advancing toward a future where every road user arrives at their destination safely.

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