Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2024 Mazda 3

small car / 4-door sedan

2024 Mazda 3 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use
+

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • Good
  • Acceptable
  • Marginal
  • Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

  • Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Mazda 3 4-door

The Mazda 3 was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mazda. These ratings apply to both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Mazda 3.

Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN1905
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Footrest (cm) 5
Left toepan (cm) 1
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 2
Lower instrument panel (cm) 2

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN1905
Head
HIC-15 230
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Femur (kN)
Left 0.7
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.43
Right 0.64
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.4
Right 1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 64
Right 48

Passenger-side

  • Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Mazda 3 Preferred 4-door

The Mazda 3 was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mazda. These ratings apply to both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Mazda 3.

Overall passenger-side 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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1911
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Footrest (cm) 5
Right toepan (cm) 3
Center toepan (cm) 3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 7
Right lower dash (cm) 5

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1911
Head
HIC-15 172
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.5
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 19
Femur (kN)
Left 1.3
Right 1.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 2
Right 5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.41
Right 0.69
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 3.5
Right 3.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 70
Right 71

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1911
Head
HIC-15 94
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.38
Right 0.31
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.5
Right 2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 40
Right 54

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Mazda 3 4-door

The Mazda 3 was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mazda. These ratings apply to both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Mazda 3.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1909
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 1
Left (cm) 3
Center (cm) 3
Right (cm) 1
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 1
Rearward (cm) -4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1909
Head
HIC-15 230
Peak gs at hard contact 15
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.7
Femur force - right (kN) 0.3
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.43
Maximum tibia index - right 0.64
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.4
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 64
Right 48

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2024 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mazda 3 2.5 S 4-door

The Mazda 3 was redesigned for the 2019 model year. These ratings apply to the sedan variant only.

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 came close to contacting 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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEF2351
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 6
Center (cm) 7
Right (cm) 2
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 0
Rearward (cm) -5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF2351
Head
HIC-15 263
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Femur (kN)
Left 0.5
Right 0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.30
Right 0.39
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.7
Right 2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 43
Right 34

Rear passenger injury measures

Test ID CEF2351
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.7
Compression (kN) 0.3
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Chest
Chest index 21
Shoulder belt tension (kN) 3.7
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: updated test

Rating applies to 2023-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mazda 3 4-door

The Mazda 3 was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Beginning with 2023 models, improvements were made to the front side airbag and a rear side airbag was added to improve occupant protection in side crashes. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 Mazda 3 conducted. These ratings apply to both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Mazda 3.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS2221
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -16.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2221
Head
HIC-15 122
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 38
Lateral force (kN) 1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 42
Average deflection (mm) 36
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 8.45
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.92
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 4.5

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2221
Head
HIC-15 156
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.5
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 22
Lateral force (kN) 1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 22
Average deflection (mm) 19
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 5.90
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.36
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 1.5

About the side crash test

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5 Turbo Premium trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair 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 good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

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
Trim level(s)
  • 2.5 Turbo Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 90.5 m None
Straightaway left edge 49.2 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 88.5 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 45.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 79.6 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 46.3 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 147.6 m
Straightaway left edge 169.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 92.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 71.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 80.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 65.0 m

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5 S trim
  • Select Sport trim
  • Preferred trim
  • Carbon Edition trim
  • Carbon Turbo trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

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, 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 good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

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
Trim level(s)
  • 2.5 S trim
  • Select Sport trim
  • Preferred trim
  • Carbon Edition trim
  • Carbon Turbo trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 102.7 m None
Straightaway left edge 52.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 71.9 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 44.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.7 m None
150m radius left curve, right edge 47.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 131.7 m
Straightaway left edge 145.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 51.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 55.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 47.9 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024 models

System details

  • standard Smart Brake Support
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

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

Crossing adult — night

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult — night

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2.4 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision and a warning was issued 1.7 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimSelect
Seat type leatherette

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.

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimSelect
Seat type leatherette
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
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

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
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
Can be borrowed from 1 and 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

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 72
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 72
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

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 Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 75
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation