Nobody wants to drive a car that isn’t safe. But neither does any driver want to intentionally crash their vehicle to make sure it is. Luckily, professionals do, and yes, professional crash-testing of cars is a thing, and an important thing at that.
The all-new 2026 Mazda CX-5 was just put through the wringer in such testing, and there’s good news for everyone who drives one or who is considering doing so: It earns top marks. The latest version of Mazda’s best-selling compact SUV is among a select group recently awarded Top Safety Pick+ status in crash-testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The IIHS is a nonprofit organization funded by insurance companies, and its tests are considered far more rigorous than those of the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In addition to a new design, fresh tech, and a roomier cabin, the third-gen CX-5 comes equipped with Mazda’s latest safety and driver-assistance systems. The IIHS says the CX-5 “notches a ‘plus’ with the help of good ratings in the vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention evaluation and the pedestrian crash prevention test.” In IIHS parlance, a “good” rating is a top mark.
Strong Suite of Safety Features
Every 2026 Mazda CX-5 includes a robust suite of safety features and an impressive advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Standard features include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go.
That’s just the start. Other standard and helpful safety-first features include vehicle exit warning — so you don’t open the door while a vehicle or bike approaches — rear seat alert to remind you of precious cargo in back before exiting, the Turning Across Path Alert and Brake feature that monitors oncoming traffic while you make a turn, and Driver Attention Alert, because even the best of us can get distracted.
Stepping up to the top-line 2.5 S Premium Plus trim gets you even more, including Front Cross Traffic Alert and Braking, a driver monitor system that can literally watch your face to detect signs of fatigue, automatic lane change assist when using adaptive cruise control, and a fantastic 360-degree camera system with underfloor and parking views.
New 2026 MAZDA CX-5 Prices
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Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$31,485 |
$29,800 |
|||
$33,485 |
$31,400 |
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$35,745 |
$33,600 |
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$38,395 |
$36,100 |
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$40,485 |
$38,200 |
The Safety System You Don’t Think About
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 stands out in another big way from most rivals: Every model comes with all-wheel drive (AWD).
Why do we mention this in an article highlighting safety? Because traction matters. While all-wheel drive is often associated with off-road ability, the same enhanced grip that provides added security when adventuring on the trail does the same when you’re dealing with slick pavement, snowy roads, and the like.
Simply put, having power go to all four wheels instead of two can benefit in many ways, from better grip when cornering to getting underway without drama on a snowy incline.
Experiencing the CX-5’s Safety Systems in Real Life
I’ve been evaluating the new 2026 CX-5 for months now thanks to having this important model in our fleet of long-term test cars. Over a few months and thousands of miles, two safety and assistance systems in particular have stood out.
One of them is literally in front of me, always in my line of sight: the Active Driving Display. Also known as a head-up display (HUD), it projects vital information directly onto the windshield so you don’t have to look away from the road. In addition to showing info like speed, I love that it also indicates when another vehicle is in the vehicle’s rear blind spots. This feature becomes standard starting with the midgrade 2.5 S Preferred trim, and once you’ve seen the benefits of one, it’s hard to go back.
The other feature that proves useful every time I drive — and especially park — is the 360 View Monitor that is exclusive to the top trim. The system harnesses multiple cameras to create various views of the car and its surroundings, all crisply displayed on the 15.6-inch touchscreen that also comes on this model. If parking makes you nervous or you regularly contend with tight spaces, this feature becomes even handier for safely slotting into spots.
If you’re considering the new Mazda CX-5, you can take assurance in knowing that in addition to its practicality, enjoyable driving manners, and strong value equation, it’s also ranked among the safest vehicles on sale today.
