In addition to receiving a five-star frontal and side impact crash-test rating, both the CX-9 and CX-7 received four-star rollover resistance ratings. No other SUV on the market today has received ratings that are superior to the CX-9 or the CX-7.
"This is a true testament to Mazda's advanced safety engineering that both CX-9 and CX-7 received the highest safety honors," said Jim O'Sullivan, President and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "While other companies can certainly build safe vehicles, we're the only company that delivers that safety with a healthy dose of Zoom-Zoom in every car and SUV."
For its frontal testing, the NHTSA places dummies in a vehicle and crashes it into a fixed barrier at 35 mph. Instruments measure the force of impact to each dummy's head, chest and legs. In the side impact test, a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph is crashed into the side of the passenger compartment of the stationary vehicle.
To help drivers avoid accidents, all Mazda vehicles, including MAZDA 3, MAZDA 5, MAZDA 6, MX-5, RX-8, CX-7, CX-9 and Tribute, are loaded with standard or optional active safety features including Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control Systems (TCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TMPS). These systems are standard on every CX-7, CX-9, MAZDASPEED3 and 2008 Tribute. In addition, CX-9 and Tribute are both also equipped with standard Roll Stability Control (RSC), the world's only system with gyroscopic sensors to actively measure and help control both yaw and roll movements.
Should an accident occur, CX-7, CX-9, MAZDASPEED3 and Tribute also feature passive safety technologies including three-point seat belts for all seating positions, second row Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child safety restraints, seat belt reminding systems, advanced dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags and air curtains (front and rear) -- features that are also available as optional equipment on all Mazda vehicles. In addition, CX-7, CX-9 and Tribute's side air curtains feature standard rollover protection for all rows of seating.
Press release via Mazda