The all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 compact SUV awarded a Top Safety Pick by IIHS

Mazda’s new cute-ute CX-5 replaces Mazda’s Ford Escape-based Tribute and also its CX-7. The new vehicle will feature the full SKYACTIV® treatment from Mazda. SKYACTIV® is a design suite of new engine technology and other vehicle performance upgrades. With the new engine Mazda claims the CX-5 has the best highway fuel efficiency of any sport utility vehicle sold in America at 35MPG.

However, in today’s market, good looks and great fuel economy are not enough. With more and more solid competitors available, such as the Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Sportage, and Ford’s all-new Escape, CUVs need to have it all in order to keep up. In recent testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the CX-5 its top honor by naming it a Top Safety Pick. In order to earn this level of safety, Mazda’s CX-5 had to earn top marks in frontal impact, side impact, rollover prevention, and rear impact testing. The CX-5 also had to score well on the roof-crush test. Introduced in 2010 by the IIHS, the roof crush test measures the amount of force required before the roof will deform by 5 inches. A score of 4 times vehicle weight is considered good. The CX-5 withstood 5.7 times its weight.

Many new safety features are now standard in the industry, having been mandated by the US government. Tire pressure monitoring and stability control recently joined anti-lock brakes as required equipment. However, the CX-5 has optional blind-spot monitoring which is not mandated and is unusual at its price point.

Mazda points out that building a safe vehicle is based on a sound structure. This also contributes to a vehicles overall quietness and also its ability to perform well on rough roads. The new chassis incorporates 61% high-tensile strength steel, and in the bumpers and other key areas incorporates ultra-high tensile strength steel. In addition to increases in strength the more expensive steel also lowers vehicle weight which contributes to the “Zoom-Zoom” effect Mazda strives for and increases fuel efficiency.

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 compact sport utility vehicle blends safety with sporty character, good looks, and excellent fuel economy in one package.