I'm interested in getting a CX-5 as a family car and am looking at a variety of cars. However, the CX-5 is a front-runner now.
IIHS ranks it as a top safety pick + and it did quite well in all the crash tests. The interesting thing is that models built before 11/2013 did not do as well on the small overlap:
Now compare it to the newer models (models built after 10/2013):
This is really more of a nerd question to satisfy my curiosity...
I get that tweaking the airbag settings, the seatbelt would help out with some of this.
But does anybody know what specifically Mazda did to the front structure? It's pretty amazing that they were able to modify all this fairly quickly and get it out to market with a significant improvement.
IIHS ranks it as a top safety pick + and it did quite well in all the crash tests. The interesting thing is that models built before 11/2013 did not do as well on the small overlap:
The driver's space was seriously compromised by intruding structure. Lower interior intrusion measured as much as 28 cm at the hinge pillar, and the upper hinge pillar and instrument panel intruded 19-21 cm.
Injury measures
Measures from the dummy indicate that injuries to the left knee and left lower leg would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.
Restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummys head contacted the frontal airbag but slid off the left side as the steering column moved 12 cm to the right, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward side structure. Additionally, the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the dummys head and torso. The side curtain airbag deployed too late during the crash and does not have sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with forward side structure and outside objects.
Now compare it to the newer models (models built after 10/2013):
The Mazda CX-5 was introduced in the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2014 models built after October 2013, the front and side airbag programming and the front structure were modified to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).
Structure
The driver space was maintained reasonably well, with maximum intrusion of the upper interior of 7-8 cm at the upper hinge pillar and instrument panel. Lower interior intrusion measured 8 cm at the brake pedal.
Injury measures
Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummys movement was well controlled. The dummys head loaded the frontal airbag, which stayed in front of the dummy until rebound. The side curtain airbag deployed and had sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed.
This is really more of a nerd question to satisfy my curiosity...
I get that tweaking the airbag settings, the seatbelt would help out with some of this.
But does anybody know what specifically Mazda did to the front structure? It's pretty amazing that they were able to modify all this fairly quickly and get it out to market with a significant improvement.