The all-new third-generation Mazda CX-5 has just been awarded a maximum five-star rating in its Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) safety tests. The car scored 90% in Adult Occupant Protection, 89% in Child Occupant Protection, 93% in Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 83% in Safety Assist Technology.
For its 90% Adult Occupant Protection rating, the tests showed mostly excellent safety performance across lateral and rear impacts for the front and rear passengers, scoring 15.9/16 points and 4/4 points, respectively. But during the frontal impact test, the Mazda CX-5 only scored 13.6/16.
Passengers mostly received good and adequate results. But the driver was made a little more vulnerable, only scoring a marginal protection rate on the chest area. The Rescue and Extrication score was also less than perfect, scoring 2.7/4.
As for the 89% Child Occupant Protection rating, the Mazda CX-5 scored maximum points for both the 6- and 10-year-old dummies in frontal offset and side barrier tests. Safety Features scored 8/13 — ISOFIX, i-Size and top-tether anchors standard, plus automatic front passenger airbag disable when a child seat is detected.
Indirect child presence detection is fitted, though it no longer earns points under current rules. Child seat installation check scored a perfect 12/12, with all designed-for restraint types properly accommodated.
The Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Protection was the highest-scoring category at 93%. VRU Impact Protection scored 31.9/36 — mostly good/adequate head protection, with poor results only on the stiffer windscreen pillars.
Pelvis, femur, knee and tibia protection maxed out across all test locations, while VRU Impact Mitigation was nearly perfect at 26.8/27. Automatic emergency braking (AEB) also scored full marks for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
The lowest scoring of the four was in the Safety Assist Technology category, but still managed a respectable 83%. Speed Assistance scored 2/3, while Occupant Status Monitoring came in at 1.6/3.
Driver Monitoring was the weak spot at 0.6/2, despite offering direct eye monitoring for drowsiness and distraction. Seatbelt Reminder and Lane Support both scored full marks, and AEB Car-to-Car nearly maxed out at 8.5/9
Shown for the first time in Malaysia at the recent Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show 2026, the all-new third-generation Mazda CX-5 is now open for booking ahead of its imminent local debut. While no specifications were provided yet, the show car was fitted with Mazda’s e-Skyactiv G 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine and a 24V mild-hybrid system — delivering 141 hp and 238 Nm of torque. The display unit was fitted with all-wheel drive (AWD), though Malaysian-spec models could launch with front-wheel drive only.
The all-new CX-5 will also gain the company’s highly anticipated Skyactiv-Z powertrain sometime in 2027, which will incorporate its next-generation proprietary hybrid technology, but don’t expect the new powertrain to arrive on Malaysian shores anytime soon.
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