The Mazda CX-80 has been named by Euro NCAP as the safest large SUV you can buy.
The independent crash test and vehicle safety organisation put the big CX-80 through its gruelling series of frontal and side impacts and electronic safety checks, and gave the CX-80 a full five-star rating.
High individual scores
In its individual scores, the CX-80 returned a 92 per cent score for adult occupant protection with full marks in both the Lateral and Rear Impact tests. It scored an impressive 88 per cent for child occupants and an 84 per cent score for vulnerable road users, a notably high score for such a large vehicle, one which rather upends a great deal of road safety criticism aimed at big SUVs. Additionally, the CX-80 achieved a 79 per cent score in ‘Safety Assist’, which Mazda said: “demonstrated our commitment to equipping vehicles with the latest safety technologies.”
Dedication to customer safety
According to a Mazda spokesperson: “The Mazda CX-80's superior safety performance is complemented by its comfort, convenience, and versatility, making it a standout in the seven-seat SUV segment. Crafted in Japan, this flagship model embodies Mazda's design and engineering excellence. Its exceptional safety ratings reflect Mazda's dedication to customer safety. The five-star rating is supported by Mazda's Skyactiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture, enhancing driving dynamics with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and rear-biased all-wheel drive. With three rows of seating, the CX-80 is the most spacious vehicle in Mazda's European range, offering comfort, versatility, advanced technology, and Mazda's driving performance.”
Safety tests since 1996
Euro NCAP has been testing cars for their safety and crash performance since 1996 and annually awards prizes for the best-performing car in each class. The CX-80 beat out the new Audi Q6 e-tron to take the top prize for 2024 in the large SUV category.
“The automotive industry had a challenging year in 2024 marked by weak consumer confidence and difficult economic conditions. Given these difficulties, Euro NCAP finds it especially encouraging that car makers continue to place significant emphasis on safety innovation and equipping cars with the newest safety systems. This firmly places consumer safety at the forefront of automobile design, as it ought to be,” said Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP.