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Every spring, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) names the vehicles that earn its top safety ratings. In March 2026, Mazda earned eight TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards, more than any other brand. It was also the third year in a row that Mazda led the industry at that top tier.
That record says a lot about how Mazda builds its vehicles, including the all-new 2026 CX-5. Here’s a friendly look at what the IIHS tests, what Mazda’s track record looks like, and which safety features come standard on the redesigned CX-5.
The IIHS is an independent, non-governmental safety-testing group funded by the insurance industry. Each year it crash-tests vehicles and rates how well they protect people and help avoid collisions. TOP SAFETY PICK+ is the highest award it gives.
The IIHS raises the bar every year, so earning the award gets harder over time. For 2026, the criteria focus on three areas:
A vehicle has to perform well across this full set of tests to earn the plus rating, which is why the award carries so much weight with families shopping for a safe vehicle.
Eight TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards in a single year is the headline, but Mazda’s longer history tells the bigger story. Since 2008, Mazda has earned 99 IIHS safety awards, and 73 of them are TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards. That’s nearly two decades of steady progress in safety engineering.
The 2026 winners cover most of the lineup, including the Mazda3, Mazda3 Sport, CX-30, and both the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the CX-70 and CX-90. IIHS President David Harkey praised Mazda for offering strong safety features across a range of price points.
Mazda also makes key crash-avoidance tech standard on every new vehicle it sells. That list includes Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Smart Brake Support (automatic emergency braking) and Lane Departure Warning. You don’t need to move up to a pricier trim to get these core systems.
The CX-5 has a long history as an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award winner, and the redesigned 2026 model brings a longer list of standard safety and driver assistance features. Every 2026 CX-5, starting with the GX, includes:
That’s a full safety toolkit before you add a single option, which makes the base CX-5 a smart pick for new drivers and growing families.
Moving up the CX-5 lineup adds more help behind the wheel. The GT trim adds an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), which helps improve your view of the road at night.
The GT Premium Package goes further with:
Safety also comes from how a vehicle handles the road. Every 2026 CX-5 uses a 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine with 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ AWD.
Mazda Intelligent Drive Select offers Normal, Sport and Off-Road modes, which adjust how the transmission and AWD system respond to different conditions. The latest G-Vectoring Control Plus now includes an electronic brake limited-slip differential to improve traction when roads get slippery. For Canadian drivers who face rain, snow and gravel through the year, standard AWD on every trim is a real advantage.
| Topic | Details |
| Mazda’s 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards | 8, the most of any brand |
| Years leading the industry | Third consecutive year |
| IIHS safety awards since 2008 | 99, including 73 TOP SAFETY PICK+ |
| 2026 CX-5 engine | 2.5 L 4-cylinder, 187 hp, 186 lb-ft |
| 2026 CX-5 drivetrain | Standard i-Activ AWD on every trim |
| GT Premium Package safety additions | CTS with Lane Change Support, Driver Monitoring, 360° View Monitor |
Curious about how all this safety tech works on the road? Our team at Planète Mazda is happy to walk you through each feature and answer your questions at your own pace.
Drop by and see us in Mirabel to learn more about the all-new 2026 CX-5 and the safety features that come with it.
