It’s no secret that safety is a top priority for new Mazda models, as evinced by their many awards. This year marks a huge milestone: Mazda has won its 100th IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Fields Mazda of Asheville shares all the details and why it matters.
IIHS Overview
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit organization that has made it a mission to reduce deaths, injuries, and damage from auto accidents. Funded by the insurance industry, the IIHS tests and rates new cars each year. They run cars through a variety of crash tests and give each criteria a safety rating of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor.
IIHS Safety Awards
Vehicles that meet IIHS safety criteria can earn a TOP SAFETY PICK award, while TOP SAFETY PICK+ represents the organization's higher honor. For 2026, both awards require Good ratings in the small overlap front, updated moderate overlap front, and updated side crash tests, along with Acceptable or Good headlights across all trim levels. To earn TOP SAFETY PICK+, vehicles must also receive a Good rating for pedestrian front crash prevention and an Acceptable or Good rating in the updated vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention evaluation, with qualifying systems offered as standard equipment.
MAZDA Winners
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 was recently named an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award winner, making it the ninth Mazda winner this year. This is also a huge overall milestone for Mazda – 100 Mazda vehicles have earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award since the program first started in 2008. Of those winners, 74 have earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award.
Explore Our New MAZDA Models in Asheville, NC
There are many exceptionally safe and stylish Mazda models to choose from. We’re confident that you’ll find one you love among our diverse inventory. Visit Fields Mazda of Asheville to shop today!
