2009 Mazda MAZDA5 - Safety Review and Crash Test Ratings

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The 2009 Mazda Mazda5 does quite well in crash tests, indicating good occupant protection, but it lacks a couple key features.

From their tests of a Mazda5, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the vehicle five stars for the driver and passenger in a front collision and five and four stars for the front and rear occupants, respectively, in a side collision. It estimates that the Mazda5's rollover resistance warrants four stars, which is good considering the Mazda's lack of stability and traction control. "Front-seat passengers receive standard front airbags that measure the driver's weight, distance from the dash, and the severity of the crash before deploying," reports Motor Trend. Other standard safety features on this Mazda (2009) include side impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags for all three rows, anti-lock brakes, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Cars.com notes, regarding child car seat anchors (LATCH points), that the second row has upper and lower anchors, but the third row has only upper anchors. All six occupants get three-point seatbelts. Mother Proof seems perturbed about the safety feature built in the optional navigation system: "[It's] easy to use...but the car has to be stopped to program in a destination...it means a passenger can't work the system if the car is in gear. This is supposed to be a safety feature, but it means a passenger can't work the system either."

Traction control and, most importantly, electronic stability control are not available standard or as options for the 2009 Mazda Mazda5. Stability control is now considered a must-have by safety advocates, and virtually all other rivals have it, so this is a severe inadequacy. However, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA) are standard. J.D. Power explains, "EBD automatically balances front-to-rear braking forces to optimize stopping power...BA provides full braking power in emergency braking situations." Motor Trend notes, "All models get 24-hour roadside assistance."

Considering the amount of glass, visibility is good. Passengers sit up high in the Mazda. For 2009, drivers "[have] a commanding outlook over...the instrument panel," comments Kelley Blue Book. There is no backup assist camera available on this 2009 Mazda, and an anti-theft alarm system is available only on the top-of-the-line Grand Touring trim as standard. Good news for those who live in a state that forbids holding a cell phone while driving (such as California or New York): The top Grand Touring model includes a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, according to Motor Trend.