2018 Mazda CX-5 Rated IIHS Top Safety Pick+

The IIHS has named the 2018 Mazda CX-5 a 2018 Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with the Adaptive Front-Lighting System, and only applies to CX-5’s built after March 2018. As of right now, the 2018 CX-5 is the only 2018 IIHS TSP+ within the small SUV category.

Without the adaptive frontal lighting system, the CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick rating, which is still very good.

To qualify for 2018 TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as an acceptable or good rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test. It also must earn an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and a good headlight rating.

The 2018 CX-5 features Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE safety suite, which includes several features, like full-speed Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), newly standard on all 2018 CX-5 Touring models, which uses milliwave radar at speeds from 18-90 mph to maintain distance between other vehicles in front of it.

At speeds below 18 mph, MRCC uses a forward-facing camera to slow down to a standstill and move at stop-and-go speeds without hesitation. This system works in conjunction with the Distance Recognition Support System. Other safety technologies include Smart City Brake Support and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, which is now standard on all CX-5 models.

The 2018 Mazda CX-5’s i-ACTIVSENSE full suite of safety features include the following: Adaptive Front-lighting System, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Distance Recognition Support System and Forward Obstruction Warning, High Beam Control, Hill Launch Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane-Keep Assist, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go function, Smart City Brake Support, and Smart Brake Support.

It sounds like a lot of tech, and while it is, it works seamlessly together and is nearly invisible to most drivers.