IIHS small overlap crash test - 2014 Mazda3 - good! Video inside

[Dory]

New member here.

I just bought a 2014 Mazda 3 hackback about 2 weeks and it was made on 9/2013. I did not see the statement regarding "Models built after October 2013". It specifically states that the front suspension was modified to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes. Notices that the car got "A" for acceptable and not good rating for Lower leg/foot. I used to work for Ford and its not too uncommon to make running changes. Mazda has to have done something and would be nice to know what.

I got the car because it was so highly rated. Damn.(sad1)

I guess the good news is that they did not mess with the structure like the CX-5.


Waid


View attachment 206073

I'm tired today so I'm confused as to what you're trying to say? The pic you show is the current rating for models build after October 2013 which is Good overall in the small overlap crash test, but the lower leg/foot gets A for acceptable.

IIHS has never got back to me. I'm a little irked by that. A safety institute that won't answer your safety questions related to clarification of information they provided.

 

[ceric]

waid302,
The jpg your posted says "Beginning with models built after 10/2013.....".
You should read it one more time, my friend.

 

[waid302]

All I am saying is that I wish I bought the Mazda 3 built after 10/2013.

I spoke with IIHS yesterday and I was told that small overlap only apply to model that was built after 10/2013 with modified suspension. Mazda informed IIHS that the test model for small overlap was updated / modified and that is all the information they have. I guess we will never know how good the small overlap crash test for models built prior to 10/2013.

The suspension changes applied to the Mazda 3 was at same time the CX5 was updated – 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).​

I am willing to bet that whatever suspension update the CX5 received, the Mazda 3 also received since they share so much. I have also called Mazda and the person I spoke with told me that there were no changes to the Mazda 3! I was told that the model that was tested was built after October 2013. If that was the case, why would IIHS specifically point out that there were changes to the suspension?

Like I said the good news is that the there was no change to the structure on models built after October 2013. The moderate overlap applies to all models including built before 10/2013 which was tested good. It was the structure that failed on the 2013 CX5. I suspect the suspension mods has to do with intrusion in the occupant compartment.

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.​

Waid