2017 CX-9 Named IIHS Top Safety Pick+
Mazda’s top of the line SUV, the CX-9, has been raking in the awards since its complete redesign for the 2016 model year. However, one thing it hasn’t gotten is a safety evaluation from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.
That is, until now.
Following the IIHS’s various crash safety and crash prevention tests, the 2017 Mazda CX-9 has been awarded the organization’s highest accolade of the title “Top Safety Pick+.”
This means that the CX-9 passed each of the IIHS’s crashworthiness tests with a “Good” rating (the other ratings are Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor). It also means that the CX-9 received either an Advanced or Superior rating on its front crash prevention technology (it was rated as Superior) and either Good or Acceptable on the IIHS’s strict new headlight evaluations (the CX-9’s standard LED headlights were rated “Acceptable”).
This accolade will share a shelf with being named a Car and Driver 10Best Trucks and SUVs honoree and earning spots on Wards Automotive’s 10 Best Interiors and 10 Best Engines lists.
Mazda, obviously, is very excited for the high rating. Masashi Otsuka, who is currently VP of R&D and design for Mazda North American Operations but previously was the CX-9 program manager, said, “The concepts of ‘self’ and ‘family,’ as well as ‘smart indulgence’ led the way for our engineers and designers to create their ideal midsize crossover SUV. We wanted to create a vehicle that could delight couples or shuttle families with the same effortlessness. Now, we are proud to say that the IIHS has recognized CX-9 for its safety, highlighting the achievements of our engineering team.”
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