SAFETY | 6 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
‘Good,’ frontal offset; ‘good,’ side impact, ‘marginal,’ rear impact; 'marginal,' roof strength
IIHS
Not yet rated
NHTSA
All 2012 Mazda CX-7 models include as standard equipment the usual list of electronic safety systems: stability control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, and tire-pressure monitoring. They are also fitted with front and side airbags for front-seat occupants, and side-curtain airbags that cover both rows of seats.
But while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 2012 CX-7 its top rating of "Good" for frontal offset and side-impact crash tests, the vehicle gets only "Marginal" ratings (two steps down) for its roof strength and rear-impact results. Those ratings are cause for some worry.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn't rated the CX-7 under the new, more rigorous crash-testing routines introduced last year, but it garnered a top (five-star) rating for front and side impact crash testing under an earlier testing system. The NHTSA gives it four stars out of five for rollover protection.
Outward visibility from inside the CX-7 is better than in many crossovers, though shorter drivers may still find over-the-shoulder vision problematic when parking. A blind-spot monitoring system is offered as an option on the 2012 CX-7.
Conclusion
The 2012 Mazda CX-7 includes all the standard safety features you'd expect to find in a crossover, but it has a pair of IIHS safety ratings that may be cause for concern.
