Mazda Cx-9 Earns Top Ratings In Iihs Crash Tests

The 2017 Mazda CX-9, one of the finalists in the 2017 World Car of the Year and 2017 North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year competitions, has earned the Top Safety Pick+ award from America's Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Japanese midsize SUV is being praised for its "across-the-board good crashworthiness ratings, a superior-rated front crash prevention system and acceptable-rated headlights."

IIHS points out that the redesign for the model has brought modified deployment pattern of the side curtain airbags, which improves protection in front and side crashes. In addition, vehicles produced after November 2016 benefit from optional front crash prevention that earns a superior rating, avoiding collisions during IIHS' track tests at 12 miles per hour (19 kilometers per hour) and 25 mph (40 kph). The system also includes Forward Collision Warning that meets the organization's standards.

IIHS basically recommends the Grand Touring and Signature trim levels, because they come with the superior-rated front crash prevention and best available headlights, rated as acceptable, as standard. Lesser models are offered with “marginal headlights.”

"The concepts of 'self' and 'family,' as well as 'smart indulgence' led the way for our engineers and designers to create their ideal midsize crossover SUV," Masashi Otsuka, VP of R&D and design at Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan, commented. "We wanted to create a vehicle that could delight couples or shuttle families with the same effortlessness. Now, we are proud to say that the IIHS has recognized CX-9 for its safety, highlighting the achievements of our engineering team."

Unveiled back in late 2015, the CX-9 has a starting MSRP of $31,520 and is offered with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 227 horsepower (169 kilowatts) and 310 pound feet (420 Newton-meters) of torque. Connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, it can deliver its power to either front or all-wheel drive system.