The Mazda CX-9 and CX-7 sport utility vehicles (SUV) recently received the highest possible ratings in frontal and side impact crashes from the U.S. governments' National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In addition to receiving a five-star frontal and side impact crash-test rating, both the CX-9 and CX-7 received four-star rollover resistance ratings. No other SUV on the market today has received ratings that are superior to the CX-9 or the CX-7.
For its frontal testing, the NHTSA places dummies in a vehicle and crashes it into a fixed barrier at 35 mph. Instruments measure the force of impact to each dummy's head, chest and legs. In the side impact test, a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph is crashed into the side of the passenger compartment of the stationary vehicle.
To help drivers avoid accidents, all Mazda vehicles, including MAZDA3, MAZDA5, MAZDA6, MX-5, RX-8, CX-7, CX-9 and Tribute, are loaded with standard or optional active safety features including Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control Systems (TCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TMPS). These systems are standard on every CX-7, CX-9, MAZDASPEED3 and 2008 Tribute.
In addition, CX-9 and Tribute are also both equipped with standard Roll Stability Control (RSC), the world's only system with gyroscopic sensors to actively measure and help control both yaw and roll movements.