2026 Mazda IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ Models

Award coverage: Sedan and Hatchback earn separate awards.

Headlights: Good or Acceptable, depending on trim.

Vehicle-to-vehicle prevention 2.0: Acceptable.

If a compact Mazda already fits the way you drive, both Mazda3 body styles give you award-winning options. The difference you'll live with is the body style rather than the safety designation.

The Sedan gives you a separate trunk, while the Hatchback opens up the rear for taller or more awkward cargo. At Dublin Mazda, we'll put you in both driving positions and give you time to compare visibility, rear-seat access, and loading space. That makes the decision about which layout makes your normal week easier.

IIHS category: Small SUV.

Headlights: Good.

Vehicle-to-vehicle prevention 2.0: Acceptable.

The CX-30 is our natural starting point when you want SUV access and cargo flexibility without giving up a compact footprint. That combination works especially well when your week includes commuter traffic, parking structures, shopping lots, and regular trips around the Tri-Valley.

Its Good headlight rating adds another strength to the safety picture. We'll also get you into the vehicle to check the things a rating cannot decide for you: sightlines, seating position, rear-seat room, and how easily your everyday gear fits. If a child seat is part of your routine, bring it along and check the actual fit before choosing the SUV.

Model-year distinction: Redesigned for 2026.

Headlights: Good or Acceptable, depending on trim.

Vehicle-to-vehicle prevention 2.0: Good.

The redesigned CX-5 joining Mazda's award-winning lineup gives you another strong two-row SUV to compare. If you've owned or driven an older CX-5, we'll treat the 2026 model as a fresh decision and walk you through the current cabin, controls, visibility, and driver-assistance settings.

If the CX-50 is also on your list, driving them back to back gives you a much better feel for which cabin, cargo area, and overall layout suit you. Our 2026 Mazda CX-5 trim guide shows where equipment changes across the lineup so you can focus on the features you'll actually use.

Award coverage: The CX-50 award includes the CX-50 Hybrid.

Powertrain choice: Gas, turbocharged gas, or hybrid.

Headlights: Good or Acceptable, depending on trim.

The CX-50 award includes the CX-50 Hybrid, so hybrid efficiency doesn't take you outside the award-winning CX-50 lineup. That's a valuable distinction if you want to reduce fuel use without adding plug-in charging to your routine.

From there, your decision comes down to which powertrain and trim make the most sense for you. Our 2026 CX-50 trim guide breaks down the lineup further, while our Mazda Hybrid vs. PHEV comparison explains the ownership differences between the no-plug CX-50 Hybrid and Mazda's plug-in SUVs.

Award coverage: CX-70 and CX-70 PHEV earn separate awards.

Seating: Two rows with five seats.

Headlights: CX-70: Good or Acceptable by trim. PHEV: Acceptable.

The CX-70 gives you more room than Mazda's compact SUVs without adding a third row you don't need. That keeps the larger cabin focused on five passengers and the cargo space behind them, which matters when extra room is the reason you're moving up in size.

We'll also compare the inline-six and PHEV ownership paths with you. Regular access to charging gives the PHEV a different role in your daily driving, while the inline-six keeps your routine centered on conventional refueling. Our 2026 CX-70 trim guide shows where the rest of the equipment changes so you can build the decision around more than the powertrain alone.

Award coverage: CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV earn separate awards.

Seating: Three rows; passenger capacity depends on configuration.

Headlights: Good or Acceptable, depending on trim.

When you regularly use a third row, the CX-90 moves to the front of the list. The benefit isn't simply having more seats. It's having more flexibility for kids, relatives, carpools, and changing passenger needs without turning a full-car day into a seating puzzle.

We'll compare second-row layouts, third-row access, and cargo room with the seats you expect to leave upright because that's a much better measure of everyday usefulness than maximum cargo space with every rear seat folded. From there, the CX-90 PHEV adds the charging decision. Our 2026 CX-90 trim guide lets you compare seating, equipment, and powertrain choices before deciding which configuration deserves a test drive.