The new Mazda6 is officially one of the safest cars on the road after receiving five stars from Euro NCAP*, the highest rating possible. The result corroborates Mazda’s strategy to enhance the safety of all its vehicles with innovations like the impact-absorbing SKYACTIV-Body. And with the i-ACTIVESENSE range of driver-supporting active safety technology.
It thus becomes the fourth Mazda to have earned five stars from Euro NCAP under a stringent new rating system introduced in 2009, joining the previous generation Mazda6, the outgoing Mazda3 and the Mazda CX-5. Scores in each category are determined based on several crash tests, including a 64km/h frontal impact, 50km/h vehicle side impact, 29km/h pole side impact and 40km/h pedestrian impact. Euro NCAP also evaluates the electronic stability control (ESC) system**.
Both the sedan and wagon versions of Mazda’s latest flagship scored top marks in all four categories. The grades for adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, and safety assist systems were 92%, 77% and 81%, respectively – comfortably above the 80%, 60% and 65% thresholds in these categories required to collect five stars overall. The Mazda6 also scored 66% for pedestrian safety, one the best marks in Europe among vehicles tested this year.
The new Mazda6 is equipped with Mazda’s groundbreaking SKYACTIV Technology and was the first Mazda whatsoever with the company’s unique i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system. While being more powerful and more fuel efficient than ever, the Mazda6 is also lighter and stronger, featuring ultra-high tensile steel and other innovations to bolster the body’s structures and with it passive vehicle safety. This is underpinned by the sensor-based i-ACTIVESENSE systems, which help prevent accidents in the first place and reduce their severity should one take place.
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* European New Car Assessment Programme, an independent agency awarding automotive safety ratings since 1997.
** Mazda calls its ESC system Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).
