2017 Mazda CX-9 Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Rating[1]

IRVINE, Calif., June 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced that its 2017 Mazda CX-9 midsize, three-row crossover SUV has earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the nonprofit Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, the highest score the IIHS provides.

On sale for just over a year, CX-9 has already earned a fair share of accolades, including being named as a Car and Driver 10Best Trucks and SUVs honoree and recently earning spots on Wards Automotive's prestigious 10 Best Interiors list and 10 Best Engines list for 2017.

"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," said Masashi Otsuka, VP of R&D and design, MNAO, who served as the CX-9's program manager in his previous role with Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Japan. "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."

Mazda CX-9 excelled in collision and occupancy protection tests with the highest "Good" ratings and passed the IIHS's stringent new headlight tests with its standard LED lighting.

Also tested was CX-9's automatic emergency braking capabilities, of which the midsize crossover SUV again scored a "Good" rating. Available on CX-9 are both Smart City Brake Support for low-speed emergency braking and Smart Brake Support, which uses a radar-based system for highway speeds.

With a starting MSRP of $31,520², Mazda CX-9 provides a remarkable value, from its crafted details to its sleek KODO—Soul of Motion design. Available features build upon CX-9, elevating the experience to one of premium crossover SUV with bespoke touches like Nappa leather seating surfaces, rosewood interior accents made by premium guitar-maker Fujigen, aluminum details, a full-color head-up display, Mazda's predictive i-ACTIV all-wheel drive and more.

For more information about the 2017 CX-9, visit: https://insidemazda.mazdausa.com/vehicle-page/2017-cx-9/.

For more information about the IIHS, visit: http://www.iihs.org/.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through more than 600 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

¹ IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation applies to 2017 models manufactured after December 1, 2016.
² MSRP does not include $940 for destination and handling ($985 in Alaska) or any additional taxes or fees. Dealers set actual sale prices.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations