Peter Lyon
February 11, 2026
Mazda has just been recognized by Consumer Reports as the top‑performing brand in its newly released Safety Verdict assessment—an evaluation that sets a new benchmark for how effectively modern vehicles help drivers avoid crashes and protect occupants when one occurs. The Safety Verdict score reflects a rigorous, holistic review of real‑world safety performance, including crashworthiness, braking and emergency handling, in‑vehicle control usability, and the availability and effectiveness of proven crash‑prevention technologies.
Mazda’s strong results demonstrate the company’s long‑standing stance that safety comes from the seamless integration of advanced engineering, intuitive technology, and vehicles that respond predictably to the driver.
The Safety Verdict’s highest tier requires standout performance across demanding criteria: Good results in IIHS side‑impact tests, strong moderate‑overlap crash protection, standard highway‑speed automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross‑traffic warning, and predictable, confidence‑inspiring handling in both every day and emergency conditions.
Mazda’s achievement in the new assessment also reflects its pursuit of top ratings in IIHS crash tests and the carmaker’s human centric engineering philosophy. Mazda tells us that all of their vehicler are designed so that braking, steering, and handling feel natural and predictable, helping drivers avoid dangerous situations before technology ever needs to intervene.
“Safety is foundational to Mazda’s engineering philosophy, and we are honored that Consumer Reports has recognized our unwavering commitment to helping protect drivers, passengers, and everyone who shares the road,” said MNAO Director of Vehicle Safety Jennifer Morrison. “This recognition reflects the work of our global engineering teams to integrate advanced safety technologies and outstanding vehicle dynamics into every model we build.”
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Founded in 1936, CR has a mission to create a fair and just marketplace for all. Widely known for our rigorous research and testing of products and services, we also survey millions of consumers each year, report extensively on marketplace issues, and advocate for consumer rights and protections around safety as well as digital rights, financial fairness, and sustainability. CR is independent and nonprofit.
