The all-new Mazda Mild Hybrid introduces many firsts into an already impressive lineup of SUVs. The CX-90 houses cutting-edge driver personalization technologies with the most powerful engine ever engineered for a Mazda. Each new detail, from available Premium Nappa Leather interiors and the largest ever infotainment display to new i-Activsense safety features, all ladder up to the most exhilarating, connected drive ever designed in a luxury, 3-row Mazda SUV.
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The sculpted curves and bold contours of the Mazda3 makes it a standout in its class, with a refined, human-centric interior that will ignite the driver in you. Our latest Skyactiv engines combine outstanding performance with excellent fuel economy while offering responsiveness and that unique Mazda fun-to-drive feeling.
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From short commutes to lasting journeys, there is an electrified powertrain that meets your needs. Find out more to discover which type of electrified vehicle is the perfect fit.
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The MX-5 Soft Top is informed by our human-centric engineering philosophy. From our advanced Skyactiv-Vehicle Dynamics for fuel-efficient driving to our new Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) to stabilize cornering posture, we are refining the classic roadster.
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5 Minute Read
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, safety ratings are one of the most important features you’ll want to consider.
Car safety ratings are grades given to specific vehicles that express how safe that vehicle is in the event of a collision, or how effective it is in avoiding a collision completely. These ratings are provided by different organizations based on their own sets of criteria and testing.
There are two primary bodies that provide safety ratings for vehicles, each using their own criteria and ranking methods.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a US-based independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes. IIHS conducts tests and publishes safety ratings for vehicle occupant protection on a scale of Good to Poor, and crash avoidance on a scale of Superior to Basic. IIHS designates the best performers with their TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards, for which criteria is updated annually.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation whose New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) 5-Star Safety Ratings are aimed at helping consumers make smart decisions about safety when purchasing a vehicle. Frontal, side pole, and side barrier crash tests, as well as a rollover resistance test, weigh into the Overall Vehicle Score. Recommended crash avoidance technologies are listed on NHTSA’s website but are not currently included in the 5-Star Safety Ratings.
Each vehicle is subjected to numerous collision tests. While there are differences in how each rating organization conducts their tests, they are all designed to assess a vehicle’s overall crashworthiness. A vehicle’s safety features that help to avoid collisions or mitigate their severity are also tested and rated.
To check a vehicle’s safety ratings, you can visit the NHTSA or IIHS websites and search by vehicle model and year. You can also compare vehicles to see how they stack up on different safety tests.
Consider visiting the Transport Canada website as well. It includes information on vehicle safety recalls, recalls of other components like car seats and tires, and statistics on Canadian road safety and collisions.
If you are in the market for a new vehicle, safety ratings should be one of the top factors you consider. When researching vehicles for purchase, the best approach is to examine safety ratings and crash test data from multiple sources. While vehicle attributes like fuel efficiency, accessories, and appearance are certainly important things to consider, guaranteeing the safety of you and your family is vital.
