Top Safety Pick

2023 Mazda CX-50

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: original test
Side: updated 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	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)
Standard system	Basic

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
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 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

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.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN2206
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Footrest (cm)	8
Left toepan (cm)	3
Brake pedal (cm)	6
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Upper dash (cm)	6
Lower instrument panel (cm)	5

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN2206
Head
HIC-15	175
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	5
Maximum Nij	0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm)	29
Femur (kN)
Left	0.3
Right	0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.26
Right	0.41
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.6
Right	1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	46
Right	34

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mazda CX-50 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 CX-50 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	VTP2213
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	8
Footrest (cm)	13
Right toepan (cm)	5
Center toepan (cm)	0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	5
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Upper dash (cm)	7
Right lower dash (cm)	5

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2213
Head
HIC-15	104
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm)	17
Maximum Nij	0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm)	14
Femur (kN)
Left	1.8
Right	1.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	4
Right	5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.46
Right	0.66
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.2
Right	2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	50
Right	48

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2213
Head
HIC-15	66
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Femur (kN)
Left	0.3
Right	0.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.26
Right	0.22
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.3
Right	1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	27
Right	39

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2023-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mazda CX-50 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 CX-50 conducted by Mazda.

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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2203
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	1
Left (cm)	4
Center (cm)	5
Right (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-1
Rearward (cm)	-7
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2203
Head
HIC-15	326
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.5
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm)	29
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.4
Femur force - right (kN)	0.6
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.28
Maximum tibia index - right	0.51
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	1.8
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	41
Right	91

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Premium 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head approached the front seatback, which increases the risk of head injuries.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt remained in the ideal position on the pelvis.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2349
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	1
Left (cm)	5
Center (cm)	6
Right (cm)	4
Brake pedal (cm)	7
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-2
Rearward (cm)	-6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2349
Head
HIC-15	148
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	30
Femur (kN)
Left	0.4
Right	0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.25
Right	0.42
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.9
Right	2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	54
Right	45

Test ID	CEF2349
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.6
Compression (kN)	0.2
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	24
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	4.2
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.1
Right femur compression	0.1

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2023 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mazda CX-50 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 CX-50 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	VTS2211
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.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2211
Head HIC-15	110
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Compression (kN)	0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	25
Lateral force (kN)	1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	34
Average deflection (mm)	28
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.87
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.48
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.8
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.4
Combined force (kN)	3.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	21
A-P moment (Nm)	47

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2211
Head HIC-15	22
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Compression (kN)	0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	15
Lateral force (kN)	0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	10
Average deflection (mm)	7
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.58
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.10
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.3
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.5
Combined force (kN)	2.5
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.4
L-M moment (Nm)	33
A-P moment (Nm)	32

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2023-24 models built before September 2023

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mazda CX-50 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 CX-50 conducted by Mazda.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2226
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-21.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2226
Head
HIC-15	174
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Compression (kN)	0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	39
Lateral force (kN)	1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	52
Average deflection (mm)	46
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.49
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	1.08
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	4.4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2226
Head
HIC-15	251
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Compression (kN)	0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	26
Lateral force (kN)	1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	21
Average deflection (mm)	15
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	5.35
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.33
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	2.0

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2023 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,831 lbs
Peak force	22,351 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.83

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

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)	13.3
Head contact time (ms)	64
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	505

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)

2.5 Turbo trim
2.5 Turbo Premium trim
2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim
2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition 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 and fair on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right 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.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	2.5 Turbo trim 2.5 Turbo Premium trim 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2023-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	103.6 m	None
Straightaway left edge	54.6 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	87.8 m	4.2%
250m radius left curve, left edge	56.5 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	81.2 m	1.2%
150m radius left curve, left edge	50.7 m	2.6%

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	139.2 m
Straightaway left edge	149.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	97.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	83.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	84.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	72.6 m

Trim level(s)

2.5 S trim
2.5 S Select trim
2.5 S Preferred trim
2.5 S Preferred Plus trim
2.5 S Premium trim
2.5 S Premium Plus 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 both sides of the road. 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 fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual left and both right curves and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

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.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	2.5 S trim 2.5 S Select trim 2.5 S Preferred trim 2.5 S Preferred Plus trim 2.5 S Premium trim 2.5 S Premium Plus trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2023-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	102.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	57.2 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	69.4 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	51.6 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	59.7 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	53.0 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	128.7 m
Straightaway left edge	126.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	70.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	67.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	58.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	54.4 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Standard Smart Brake Support

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2023 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, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

standard Smart Brake Support

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2023-24 models of the following trim lines: 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim, 2.5 S trim, 2.5 S Select trim, 2.5 S Preferred trim equipped with package, 2.5 S Preferred Plus trim, 2.5 S Premium trim, 2.5 S Premium Plus trim, 2.5 Turbo trim, 2.5 Turbo Premium trim

Superior

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 32 mph. A warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)

Night

System details

standard Smart Brake Support

Overall evaluation

Includes high-beam assist credit

This rating applies to 2023-24 models of the following trim lines: 2.5 Turbo trim, 2.5 Turbo Premium trim, 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim

Basic

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 14 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 13 mph.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.5 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 14 mph and a warning was issued 1.4 seconds before impact.

About pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim
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
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)	81
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	80
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
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	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	75
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	75
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	53 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	69 dB
Difference between background and signal	16.7 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	56 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	69 dB
Difference between background and signal	12.7 dB
Dominant audio frequency	560 Hz