Validating the structural and engineering choices of its high-volume platform, Mazda Canada Inc. announced that the all-new, third-generation 2026 Mazda CX-5 has earned the prestigious Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The rating represents the absolute highest safety tier established by the independent, insurance-industry-funded vehicle evaluation group.

For Canadian automotive dealer principals and product specialists, this scoring serves as an essential competitive benchmark in the crowded compact utility segment. The redesigned 2026 CX-5 secured its “plus” notation by delivering vast software and sensor improvements over the outgoing generation, specifically achieving “Good” ratings in the institute’s updated vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0 and daytime/nighttime pedestrian crash avoidance evaluations. With this addition, Mazda currently leads the entire automotive sector with eight concurrent 2026 Top Safety Pick+ product models.

The evaluation marks a significant corporate milestone, registering as Mazda’s 100th overall IIHS safety award since tracking metrics launched in 2008. To satisfy the strict 2026 criteria, the vehicle maintained uncompromised “Good” parameters across small overlap frontal, updated moderate overlap, and updated side impact crash tests. Furthermore, Mazda’s standard safety packaging strategy ensures that compliant, high-performing headlight arrays and active i-Activsense driver assistance features are active across all factory trim configurations without requiring premium package add-ons.

“Earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for the 2026 CX-5 reflects Mazda’s commitment to protecting those who trust us with their safety every day,” stated Jennifer Morrison, Director of Vehicle Safety Strategy at Mazda North American Operations. 

The crash-tested compact SUV joins an award-winning brand stable that already includes the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback, CX-30, CX-50, and the premium mid-size CX-70 and CX-90 crossover lineups.