2020 Mazda CX-9
midsize SUV / 4-door SUV
Award applies only to vehicles built after December 2019
Small overlap front: driver-side
Rating applies to 2017-23 models built after November 2016
Tested vehicle: 2017 Mazda CX-9 Touring 4-door 4wd
The Mazda CX-9 was redesigned for the 2016 model year. Beginning with 2017 models built after November 2016, the deployment pattern of the side curtain airbags was modified to improve occupant protection in side impact, small overlap frontal, and moderate overlap frontal crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Hip/thigh | |
| Lower leg/foot | |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics |
Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.
The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.
The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.
The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | CEN1712 |
|---|---|
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 8 |
| Footrest (cm) | 3 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 4 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 8 |
| Parking brake (cm) | |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 2 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 5 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 6 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | CEN1712 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 158 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 17 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.23 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 27 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 1.3 |
| Right | 0.2 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 2 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.37 |
| Right | 0.44 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.8 |
| Right | 0.6 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 51 |
| Right | 61 |
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Rating applies to 2017-23 models built after November 2016
Tested vehicle: 2018 Mazda CX-9 Touring 4-door 4wd
The Mazda CX-9 was redesigned for the 2016 model year. Beginning with 2017 models built after November 2016, the deployment pattern of the side curtain airbags was modified to improve occupant protection in side impact, small overlap frontal, and moderate overlap frontal crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)
Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mazda of a CX-9 with the modifications.
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Hip/thigh | |
| Lower leg/foot | |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Hip/thigh | |
| Lower leg/foot | |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics |
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side
| Test ID | VTP1721 |
|---|---|
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Footrest (cm) | 4 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 2 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 1 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 2 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Center dash (cm) | 3 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 4 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 4 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 4 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID | VTP1721 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 152 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 29 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.34 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 22 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.5 |
| Right | 0.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.43 |
| Right | 0.47 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.9 |
| Right | 1.8 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 38 |
| Right | 36 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | VTP1721 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 53 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 19 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.26 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 30 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.4 |
| Right | 0.2 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.50 |
| Right | 0.21 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 0.4 |
| Right | 0.7 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 80 |
| Right | 37 |
Moderate overlap front: original test
Rating applies to 2017-23 models built after November 2016
Tested vehicle: 2017 Mazda CX-9 4-door 4wd
The Mazda CX-9 was redesigned for the 2016 model year. Beginning with 2017 models built after November 2016, the deployment pattern of the side curtain airbags was modified to improve occupant protection in side impact, small overlap frontal, and moderate overlap frontal crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)
Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mazda of a CX-9 with the modifications.
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Leg/foot, left | |
| Leg/foot, right | |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics |
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | VTF1705 |
|---|---|
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 1 |
| Left (cm) | 1 |
| Center (cm) | 1 |
| Right (cm) | 4 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 4 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | -2 |
| Rearward (cm) | 0 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | VTF1705 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 111 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 15 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 33 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force - left (kN) | 0.3 |
| Femur force - right (kN) | 0.7 |
| Knee displacement - left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement - right (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index - left | 0.52 |
| Maximum tibia index - right | 0.55 |
| Tibia axial force - left (kN) | 1.5 |
| Tibia axial force - right (kN) | 1.5 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 52 |
| Right | 91 |
Side: original test
Rating applies to 2017-23 models built after November 2016
Tested vehicle: 2017 Mazda CX-9 Touring 4-door 4wd
The Mazda CX-9 was redesigned for the 2016 model year. Beginning with 2017 models built after November 2016, the deployment pattern of the side curtain airbags was modified to improve occupant protection in side impact, small overlap frontal, and moderate overlap frontal crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)
Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mazda of a CX-9 with the modifications.
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Torso | |
| Pelvis/leg | |
| Driver head protection | |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Torso | |
| Pelvis/leg | |
| Rear passenger head protection | |
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | VTS1703 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) | -22.0 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. | |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | VTS1703 |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 143 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 27 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.44 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.29 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.1 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 55 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 84 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID | VTS1703 |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 98 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.1 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.4 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.6 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 16 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.02 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.28 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Combined force (kN) | 1.6 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.2 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 18 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 84 |
Side: updated test
Rating applies to 2017-23 models built after November 2016
Tested vehicle: 2021 Mazda CX-9 Touring 4-door 4wd
The Mazda CX-9 was redesigned for the 2016 model year. Beginning with 2017 models built after November 2016, the deployment pattern of the side curtain airbags was modified to improve occupant protection in side impact, small overlap frontal, and moderate overlap frontal crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Torso | |
| Pelvis | |
| Driver head protection | |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Torso | |
| Pelvis | |
| Rear passenger head protection | |
View of the vehicle just after the crash test.
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | CES2203 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) | -25.0 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. | |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID | CES2203 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 106 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 18 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 24 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.06 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.31 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.9 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID | CES2203 |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 236 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 38 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.9 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 27 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.40 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.27 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.8 |
Roof strength
Rating applies to 2016-23 models
Tested vehicle: 2016 Mazda CX-9 Sport 4-door 4wd
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,139 lbs |
| Peak force | 21,311 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.15 |
Head restraints & seats
Seat type: Power leather seat
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | |
| Seat/head restraint geometry |
| Seat type | Power leather seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 30 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 2 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 11.9 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 60 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 304 |
About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.
Headlights
Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.
Trim level(s)
- Grand Touring trim
- Signature trim
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
|---|---|
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
|
Overall rating | |
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.
The low beams created some glare.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.
High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.
| Trim level(s) |
|
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
|
Overall rating Applies to 2019-23 models |
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 114.1 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 57.6 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 84.2 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 56.7 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 72.4 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 55.2 m | 2.9% |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 143.7 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 133.2 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 80.0 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 77.0 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 67.3 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 65.3 m |
Trim level(s)
- Sport trim; built after December 2019
- Touring trim; built after December 2019
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
|---|---|
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
|
Overall rating | |
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on the gradual left curve.
| Trim level(s) |
|
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
|
Overall rating Applies to 2020-23 models built after December 2019 |
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 120.5 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 58.2 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 68.8 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, right edge | 57.8 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 55.9 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 53.6 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 147.2 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 137.1 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 64.8 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 63.3 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 49.0 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 48.5 m |
Trim level(s)
- Sport trim; built before January 2020
- Touring trim; built before January 2020
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
|---|---|
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
|
Overall rating | |
| Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination: | |
Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the gradual right curve.
| Trim level(s) |
|
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
|
Overall rating Applies to 2019-20 models built before January 2020 |
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 87.4 m | None |
| Straightaway left edge | 42.2 m | None |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 58.1 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, right edge | 42.2 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 52.7 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, right edge | 42.7 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 150.5 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 136.2 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 63.0 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 61.2 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 47.7 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 47.4 m |