Top Safety Pick + Top Safety Pick criteria

2024 Mazda CX-50

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles built after August 2023

2024 Mazda CX-50 4-door SUV

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

Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use
+

Other available safety features

  • Standard daytime running lights
  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning
  • Standard lane departure prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    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 2023-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year.

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

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN2206
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Footrest (cm) 8
Left toepan (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Upper dash (cm) 6
Lower instrument panel (cm) 5

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN2206
Head
HIC-15 175
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm) 5
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.26
Right 0.41
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.6
Right 1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 46
Right 34

Passenger-side

  • Rating applies to 2023-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mazda CX-50 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 CX-50 conducted by Mazda as part of frontal crash test verification.

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 VTP2213
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 8
Footrest (cm) 13
Right toepan (cm) 5
Center toepan (cm) 0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 5
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 7
Right lower dash (cm) 5

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP2213
Head
HIC-15 104
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 17
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 14
Femur (kN)
Left 1.8
Right 1.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 4
Right 5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.46
Right 0.66
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.2
Right 2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 50
Right 48

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP2213
Head
HIC-15 66
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.26
Right 0.22
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 27
Right 39

How the small overlap front test is conducted

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2023-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mazda CX-50 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 CX-50 conducted by Mazda as part of frontal crash test verification.

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 VTF2203
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 1
Left (cm) 4
Center (cm) 5
Right (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -1
Rearward (cm) -7
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF2203
Head
HIC-15 326
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.5
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.4
Femur force - right (kN) 0.6
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.28
Maximum tibia index - right 0.51
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.8
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 41
Right 91

How the moderate overlap front test is conducted

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2023-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Premium 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year.

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 approached 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 CEF2349
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 1
Left (cm) 5
Center (cm) 6
Right (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 7
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -2
Rearward (cm) -6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF2349
Head
HIC-15 148
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 30
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.25
Right 0.42
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.9
Right 2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 54
Right 45

Rear passenger injury measures

Test ID CEF2349
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.6
Compression (kN) 0.2
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Chest
Chest index 24
Shoulder belt tension (kN) 4.2
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression 0.1
Right femur compression 0.1

How the updated moderate overlap front test is conducted

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2024 models built after August 2023

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mazda CX-50 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year. Beginning with 2024 models built after August 2023 improvements were made to the front side thorax airbag to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.) Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 CX-50 conducted by Mazda as part of side crash test verification.

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 VTS2325
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -20.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2325
Head
HIC-15 114
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 34
Lateral force (kN) 1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 41
Average deflection (mm) 35
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.35
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.64
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 4.4

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2325
Head
HIC-15 47
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 22
Lateral force (kN) 0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 18
Average deflection (mm) 15
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.63
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.23
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 2.2

Rating applies to 2023-24 models built before September 2023

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mazda CX-50 4-door 4wd

The Mazda CX-50 was introduced in the 2023 model year. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 CX-50 conducted by Mazda as part of side crash test verification.

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 VTS2226
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -21.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2226
Head
HIC-15 174
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 39
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 52
Average deflection (mm) 46
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.49
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 1.08
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 4.4

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2226
Head
HIC-15 251
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 26
Lateral force (kN) 1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 21
Average deflection (mm) 15
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 5.35
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.33
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 2.0

How the side crash test is conducted

Headlights

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

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5 Turbo trim
  • 2.5 Turbo Premium trim
  • 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim
  • 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED 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 Some glare

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 and fair on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

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 good in all 4 tests.

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 trim
  • 2.5 Turbo Premium trim
  • 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim
  • 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2023-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 103.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 54.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 87.8 m 4.2%
250m radius left curve, left edge 56.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 81.2 m 1.2%
150m radius left curve, left edge 50.7 m 2.6%
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 139.2 m
Straightaway left edge 149.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 97.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 83.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 84.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 72.6 m

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5 S trim
  • 2.5 S Select trim
  • 2.5 S Preferred trim
  • 2.5 S Preferred Plus trim
  • 2.5 S Premium trim
  • 2.5 S Premium Plus trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED 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 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 fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual left and both right curves and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the gradual right curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 2.5 S trim
  • 2.5 S Select trim
  • 2.5 S Preferred trim
  • 2.5 S Preferred Plus trim
  • 2.5 S Premium trim
  • 2.5 S Premium Plus trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2023-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 102.0 m None
Straightaway left edge 57.2 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 69.4 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 51.6 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.7 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 53.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 128.7 m
Straightaway left edge 126.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 70.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 67.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 58.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 54.4 m

How headlights are evaluated

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to 2024 models

System details

  • standard Smart Brake Support
  • of the following trim lines: 2.5 Turbo trim, 2.5 Turbo Premium trim, 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim, 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition trim
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, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.

Crossing adult — night

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 14 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 13 mph.

Parallel adult — night

  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.5 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 14 mph and a warning was issued 1.4 seconds before impact.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2023-24 models

Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency
Technical measurements for this test
Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h 53 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h 69 dB
Difference between background and signal 16.7 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h 56 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h 69 dB
Difference between background and signal 12.7 dB
Dominant audio frequency 560 Hz

How seat belt reminders are evaluated

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2023-24 models

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim
Seat type leather

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 trim
Seat type leather
1 2 3
G Good
A Acceptable
M Marginal
P Poor
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) 81
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 80
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes

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 Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 75
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 75
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes

How child seat anchors are evaluated

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