2017 Mazda CX-9 Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award
The 2017 Mazda CX-9 is now one of the safest vehicles you can buy.
Redesigned for the 2016 model year, the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award only applies to vehicles built after November 2016. The safety agency said Mazda modified the deployment pattern of the side curtain airbags to improve protection in front and side crashes, improving the results of the crashworthiness tests. The midsize SUV earned good ratings on all crashworthiness tests, has a superior-rated front crash prevention system, and acceptable-rated headlights.
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IIHS did note that before the current model, the most recent CX-9 to be rated was the 2015 model. Then, the vehicle received poor ratings for protection in small overlap front crashes, as the structure was seriously compromised and the side airbag didn’t deploy. The earlier model also did poorly on the roof strength test and for head restraints. In those tests, it only earned marginal ratings.
In IIHS track tests at 12 mph and 25 mph, the Mazda CX-9’s optional front crash prevention system helped the vehicle avoid collisions. The system includes Forward Collision Warning that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards. The superior-rated crash prevention system comes on the CX-9’s Grand Touring and Signature trims, which are also equipped with the CX-9’s best available headlights that are rated acceptable. Other trim levels come with marginal-rated headlights.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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