Mazda 3: Is It A Safe Car?

[Kanya]

Since the Mazda 3 sedan is a fairly new car, I haven't been able to find any information regarding its safety. I've visited Mazda's website but I couldn't get any constructive 3rd party reviews. I've also checked out Consumer Reports but there was no information regarding its safety.

Can anyone guide me to a website or has any personal experience with the Mazda 3 to let me know if it's a safe car? Right now, this lack of information is the only thing holding me back.

Thanks.
(wrc)

[pdhaudio83]

it will roll 100000 times because its a top heavy SUV.

[MASTERNC]

US Government crash tested it. Got 4 of 5 stars for front impact and 3 of 5 stars for side impact. Keep in mind, however, that the tested vehicle did not have the side airbags and they probably would have improved the result. I highly recommend the SAB/ABS package after the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tested a bunch of mid-size vehicles. Most of them failed the side-impact test except for the ones with side airbags and curtain airbags.

[hworth18]

My understanding is that the Mazda3 shares the same chasis as the Volvo G70?? Volvos have the best safety records for crash protection.. (cool)

[chuyler1]

US Government crash tested it. Got 4 of 5 stars for front impact and 3 of 5 stars for side impact. Keep in mind, however, that the tested vehicle did not have the side airbags and they probably would have improved the result. I highly recommend the SAB/ABS package after the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tested a bunch of mid-size vehicles. Most of them failed the side-impact test except for the ones with side airbags and curtain airbags.I'm glad I have SAB/ABS because I saw some footage on the news about small/midsized cars getting in side impact accidents with SUVs. Without the side airbags your head basicaly bounces off the hood crushing your skull. Think of that when the sales rep says "Do you want Side Air Bags?". With the abundance of oversized vehicles on the road today driven by people who could barely pass a driving test let alone a truck driving test, you'd be stupid not to buy a small vehicle without them.

[dulog]

I saw that same side impact footage from IIHS on a Dateline story a week after getting my car. No question the mid sized cars they tested that had side air bags faired better when hit from the side by a truck or suv. It made me very glad that I got them.

[dulog]

Since the Mazda 3 sedan is a fairly new car, I haven't been able to find any information regarding its safety. I've visited Mazda's website but I couldn't get any constructive 3rd party reviews. I've also checked out Consumer Reports but there was no information regarding its safety.

Can anyone guide me to a website or has any personal experience with the Mazda 3 to let me know if it's a safe car? Right now, this lack of information is the only thing holding me back.

Thanks.
(wrc)
Check out the Aug. CR magazine. There is some safety info in there (reiterating NHTSA results mentioned in this thread). Also, it got very good emergency handling and the highest avoidance speed out of their tested small cars. Disregard the post about rolovers -- CR is more obseessed with rolovers than other publications (or probably even NHTSA or IIHS) and they wouldn't have recommended this car if that were really the case.

The Car and Driver road test article has plenty of info about handling, and also info about stuctural differences between it and the protege: http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=7566&page_number=1
Also, you could read more about safety improvements they added Mazda added for the 3 here:
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=Mazda3c&sectionParameter=
of course they are biased though.

[Mikey444]

My understanding is that the Mazda3 shares the same chasis as the Volvo G70?? Volvos have the best safety records for crash protection.. (cool)
You got it all wrong, the Volvo S40 shares the same chasis as the Mazda 3. It does not mean that they are equaly safe, The frames are completely different and depending on the arrangement of what is under the hood can also play a role in it's safety record.

[goldwing2000]

it will roll 100000 times because its a top heavy SUV.

What the hell are you smoking, Pat? (scratch)

[hworth18]

You got it all wrong, the Volvo S40 shares the same chasis as the Mazda 3. It does not mean that they are equaly safe, The frames are completely different and depending on the arrangement of what is under the hood can also play a role in it's safety record.

Well, it was some Volvo, I couldn't remember which one.. (freak)

[wongpres]

Here's the NHTSA roll-over rating that was just published today (Aug 9):

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/announce/press/pressdisplay.cfm?year=2004&filename=pr34-04.html

[chuyler1]

Did you hear why the Saturn Vue isn't on the list???

On two attempts the rear wheel broke off the axl, voiding the test. Saturn had to issue a recall to strengthen the rear axl. funny stuff...unless you own one.

[SpicyMchaggis]

saturn sucks. that is all.

[Rock]

NO NO NO the only saturns that suck are the ones made after '95.
Before then they had style and some nice agility, though slow as hell till you p/p'd the heads and put some bolt-ons to waken the motor up.

[Loose]

Ask rum.

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77313

[rum]

ya- i got hit by a f150 going like 50+ mph. no serious injuries. not tooooooo much damage either. check the link he posted.

[bvmazda3]

The cars are safe - it's the drivers you need to worry about!