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.
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| 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.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| 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 |
Driver injury measures
| 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 |
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.
| 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 | 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 |
Passenger injury measures
| 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 |
Driver injury measures
| 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 |
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.
| 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.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| 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 |
Driver injury measures
| 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 |
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.
| 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 | 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. | |
Driver injury measures
| 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 |
Passenger injury measures
| 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 |
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 |
Head restraints & seats
Seat type: Leather power seat
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | |
| Seat/head restraint geometry |
| 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
| 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.
| 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 2019-21 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
| 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.
| 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 2019-21 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 |
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2018-21 models
| 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.
| Overall evaluation | + extra LATCH positions |
| Vehicle trim | Grand Touring Reserve |
| Seat type | leather |
| 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 |
| Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s) | |
| No hardware available |
Details by seating position
| 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 | |
| Tether anchor | |
| easy-to-find location | |
| no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
| Lower anchors | |
| Can be borrowed from 1 and 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 |
Seat position 21
| 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 |
Seat position 22
| 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 |
Seat position 23
| 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 |