For the third consecutive year, Mazda has earned more IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards than any other brand in America. And in early 2026, Consumer Reports made it official — naming Mazda its first-ever Safest New-Car Brand, a designation the publication had never given any automaker before. If you’ve wondered whether Mazda’s safety reputation is marketing or data, this is the data. Here’s exactly what the numbers show — and why it matters when you’re shopping for a new vehicle near Kalamazoo.

Is Mazda Actually the Safest Car Brand?

The short version: this isn’t opinion or brand positioning. Two of the most respected independent safety organizations in the United States — the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports — both arrived at the same conclusion independently. When a brand leads both, the data is hard to argue with.

What Did Consumer Reports Name Mazda in 2026?

Consumer Reports named Mazda its first-ever Safest New-Car Brand for 2026 — a distinction the publication had never awarded in its history. Consumer Reports evaluates safety across four dimensions: crash test results, crash avoidance technology, braking performance, and the usability of safety controls. The last category — usability — is where many manufacturers stumble, as poorly designed touchscreens and complex menus distract drivers and increase accident risk.

Mazda earned top marks across all four categories, with i-ACTIVSENSE safety tech standard at every trim level and a redesigned interface built to minimize driver distraction.

How Many IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Awards Does Mazda Have in 2026?

Mazda earned eight IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards for the 2026 model year — more than any other automaker, under the strictest criteria the IIHS has ever applied. The criteria were tightened for 2026 to include a new vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test evaluated at 31, 37, and 43 mph against cars, motorcycles, and semi-trailers. Mazda passed under those stricter standards while many competitors did not.

“Mazda continues to excel in safety with eight IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ models this year. They are providing consumers with the best in safety features at a range of prices.” — David Harkey, President, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Here are all nine 2026 Mazda models earning the top IIHS award, and what four of them start at:

Four of those nine award-winning models start under $30,000 — more affordable TSP+ winners than any other brand offers.

What Does IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Actually Mean?

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) is an independent research organization funded by insurance companies — which have a direct financial interest in making crashes rare. To earn Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must score “Good” in every major crash test category, including:

• Small overlap front crash test
• Moderate overlap front crash test
• Side impact test
• Pedestrian front crash prevention
• Vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention (new, stricter version for 2026)
• Acceptable or Good headlight ratings

Top Safety Pick+ is the highest award the IIHS gives. Only 45 vehicles earned it across all brands in 2026. Mazda placed nine of them.

What Safety Features Come Standard on Every Mazda?

A key reason Mazda leads safety rankings is that i-ACTIVSENSE — Mazda’s full driver-assistance suite — comes standard on every Mazda at every trim level. Most brands charge extra for these features or limit them to higher trims. Mazda includes them all at the base price.

i-ACTIVSENSE standard features include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Lane Keep Assist
• Driver Attention Alert
• High Beam Control

This is exactly what IIHS President David Harkey called out specifically — providing the best safety features “at a range of prices.”

How Does Mazda Safety Compare to Toyota, Honda, and Subaru?

Subaru has built a strong safety reputation — and rightly so. Toyota and Honda are among the most trusted brands in America. Here’s how the 2026 IIHS award count actually compares:

Subaru is often positioned as the safety leader in the SUV market — but Mazda earned nearly three times as many top-tier IIHS awards in 2026. The data gap is larger than most buyers realize going into their search.

Is Mazda a Safe Choice for Teen Drivers?

This is one of the most common questions parents ask when shopping for a first vehicle. In 2026, IIHS and Consumer Reports released their annual recommended vehicles for teen drivers. Mazda tied for the most models on the list with six recommendations — more than Toyota and Honda combined. Every recommended model comes with standard blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and driver attention alert — features that are particularly valuable for new drivers.

Does Mazda’s Safety Record Affect Insurance Costs?

It can. The IIHS is funded by insurance companies, and Top Safety Pick+ ratings are directly tied to insurance risk models. Vehicles that earn TSP+ often qualify for lower premiums with participating insurers. Combined with Mazda’s competitive starting prices — four TSP+ award winners starting under $30,000 — the safety advantage also becomes a long-term cost-of-ownership advantage.

Shop the Safest Models at LaFontaine Mazda Kalamazoo

LaFontaine Mazda Kalamazoo carries the full 2026 Mazda lineup, including all nine IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award-winning models. Every vehicle on our lot comes with i-ACTIVSENSE safety standard — no package upgrade, no extra cost. We serve buyers from across Southwest Michigan including Portage, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Holland, and Allegan.