Top Safety Pick +

2020 Mazda 6

midsize car / 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system	Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use	+

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Mazda 6i Touring 4-door

The Mazda 6 was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Beginning with 2016 models, the side curtain airbags were lengthened and the deployment timing for both the frontal and side airbags was reprogrammed to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes. Because there were no structural changes, the structure rating is based on Institute tests of both the 2014 and 2016 models.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics The dummy’s movement was reasonably well controlled. The dummy’s head remained largely in contact with the frontal airbag during the crash, but its head still moved toward the A-pillar because the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the dummy's head and torso. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed..

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test of the 2016 model Mazda 6.

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 well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked reasonably well together, but the seat belt allowed far too much forward movement of the dummy to the extent that its head came close to hitting the A-pillar.

Forces during the crash were just high enough to contribute to a moderate risk of injury to the dummy's right lower leg.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1503	CEN1305
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	13	13
Footrest (cm)	10	8
Left toepan (cm)	4	3
Brake pedal (cm)	4	8
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1	3
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	6	6
Upper dash (cm)	5	9
Lower instrument panel (cm)	8	10

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1503
Head
HIC-15	152
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	10
Maximum Nij	0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm)	23
Femur (kN)
Left	0.3
Right	0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.69
Right	0.81
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.1
Right	1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	108
Right	57

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2018-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Mazda 6 4-door

The Mazda 6 was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Beginning with 2016 models, the side curtain airbags were lengthened and the deployment timing for both the frontal and side airbags was reprogrammed to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes. Beginning with 2018 models, the passenger side A-pillar, door hinge pillar, and door sill were strengthened to further improve occupant protection in passenger-side small overlap crashes.

Passenger-side small overlap ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mazda.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1802
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	15
Footrest (cm)	12
Right toepan (cm)	5
Center toepan (cm)	3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	3
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	5
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	9
Upper dash (cm)	10
Right lower dash (cm)	10

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1802
Head
HIC-15	104
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	17
Maximum Nij	0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm)	18
Femur (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	2.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.63
Right	0.56
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.9
Right	1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	63
Right	40

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1802
Head
HIC-15	43
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	13
Maximum Nij	0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm)	21
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.43
Right	0.27
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	46
Right	39

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2014-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Mazda 6i Touring 4-door

The Mazda 6 was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Two moderate overlap frontal tests of the Mazda 6 were conducted, one by the Institute and the other by Mazda. Ratings are based on both tests.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the Institute's moderate overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well (Institute test car shown).

Dummy movement was well controlled in both tests. During rebound in the Institute's test, the dummy's head hit the sunvisor, roof, and grab handle, as indicated by smeared pink greasepaint.

Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal in both tests. In Mazda's test, all leg and foot injury measures were low. In the Institute's test, forces on the right lower leg were just high enough to indicate the possibility of injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1220	CEF1301
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	2	4
Left (cm)	7	8
Center (cm)	8	8
Right (cm)	3	5
Brake pedal (cm)	4	2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0	1
Right (cm)	-1	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-6	-3
Rearward (cm)	-5	-6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	1	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1220	CEF1301
Head
HIC-15	178	116
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact	negligible
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0	1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	12	12
Maximum Nij	0.19	0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26	27
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.6	0.4
Femur force - right (kN)	0.4	0.3
Knee displacement - left (mm)	0	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1	0
Maximum tibia index - left	0.54	0.45
Maximum tibia index - right	0.66	0.86
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.6	1.7
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	3.1	1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	44	50
Right	88	57

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2014-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Mazda 6i Touring 4-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Mazda 6 was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mazda.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS1219
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-16.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1219
Head HIC-15	182
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Compression (kN)	0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	30
Lateral force (kN)	1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	31
Average deflection (mm)	28
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.39
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.45
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.9
Combined force (kN)	4.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	172
A-P moment (Nm)	9

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1219
Head HIC-15	183
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.3
Compression (kN)	0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	31
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	34
Average deflection (mm)	29
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.04
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.51
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	0.9
Combined force (kN)	0.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.4
L-M moment (Nm)	208
A-P moment (Nm)	78

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2014-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Mazda 6i Touring 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,217 lbs
Peak force	16,776 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.21

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Leather power seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Leather power seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	5
Distance below top of head (mm)	10
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	13.0
Head contact time (ms)	57
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	422

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

Grand Touring Reserve trim
Signature trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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 the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Grand Touring Reserve trim Signature trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2019-21 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	109.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	46.2 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	77.3 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	45.5 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	66.1 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	46.3 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	158.0 m
Straightaway left edge	147.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	80.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	75.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	65.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	60.8 m

Trim level(s)

Sport trim
Touring trim
Grand Touring trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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 the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. 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 both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Sport trim Touring trim Grand Touring trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2019-21 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	106.4 m	None
Straightaway left edge	45.2 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	59.9 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	45.7 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	48.5 m	None
150m radius left curve, right edge	46.6 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	153.9 m
Straightaway left edge	150.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	64.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	64.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	48.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	48.0 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Standard Advanced Smart City Brake Support with pedestrian detection
Standard Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-21 models

Superior

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

standard Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning and Advanced Smart City Brake Support with pedestrian detection

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2019-21 models

Advanced

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 5 mph.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 8 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 18 mph.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 36 mph. A warning was issued 1.7 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-21 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	Grand Touring Reserve
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	Grand Touring Reserve
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	71
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	37
Clearance angle (degrees)	74
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	-2-0
Force (lbs)	10
Clearance angle (degrees)	71
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	66
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation