2023 Mazda3 Hatchback and Sedan Get the Highest Rating in IIHS Side Impact Test

Recently, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that the 2023 Mazda3 Sedan and 2023 Mazda3 Hatchback achieved the highest performance in a new, tougher side crash test. The Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback were also the only vehicles out of 11 small cars to earn its top “Good” rating in the test. The 2023 Mazda models performed excellently in the IIHS side impact test, making them some of the safety compact cars. Check out why the 2023 Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback earned this award now at Mazda of Orland Park!

IIHS developed the updated side crash test to simulate higher severity crashes by using a heavier barrier traveling at a higher speed as the striking vehicle. It’s meant to test the safety of vehicles under one of the most dangerous crash scenarios on the road. 

With the 2023 Mazda model year, the Mazda3 is equipped with added rear side airbags, seat belt pretensioners, and seat belt load limiters, designed to help reduce occupant injury in the event of a crash. The Mazda3 safety features include adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, traffic jam assist, and front wheel drive.

Jennifer Morrison, Mazda Manager of Vehicle Safety Compliance, Planning, & Development, commented on the IIHS award: “We are proud to add Mazda3 to the list of Mazda’s top performing vehicles in side impact safety. It’s more challenging for a vehicle of its size. We took lessons learned from CX-5 and CX-9 to offer an equal level of occupant protection in our small car, the Mazda3.”

Mazda vehicles continue to perform well on this test, beating out competitors like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. For example, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 was the only vehicle out of 20 small SUVs to earn a “Good” rating in the same test. The 2022 Mazda CX-9 also earned the top “Good” rating, standing out as one of only two midsize SUVs to get a “Good” rating in every category of the test.

Mazda is proud to add this top achievement to the list of accolades from IIHS, including all-tested Mazda vehicles earning the IIHS 2022 TOP SAFETY PICK+, the highest award in safety. These vehicles include the Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback, CX-30, CX-5, and CX-9, and all-new CX-50.

The 2023 Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback is available to test drive now at Mazda of Orland Park! We’re not your typical car dealership—we are now an employee-owned Mazda dealership staffed with long-term employees who will continue to give you the award-winning customer service you expect. You can check out our full inventory of Mazda vehicles now, including Mazda sedan models! Visit us today to see why the Mazda3 was honored by IIHS!