Compare Mazda vs. Chevy Midsize SUV Safety Rating [2024]
Mazda's midsize SUV received a top safety rating while Chevy's midsize SUV did not. Upgrade your car's safety features to reduce your car insurance rates by up to 8%.
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Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
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UPDATED: Oct 24, 2024
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UPDATED: Oct 24, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Although many people may believe they are safe simply because they drive a midsize SUV, that isn’t always the case. In fact, many midsize SUVs are simply unsafe.
People who are lulled into the idea that they are safe are more at risk to make dangerous mistakes while they are driving.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) designates different safety ratings depending on the things they find during crash tests. The ratings are made up of different options for people to have while they are driving the vehicles.
It is also important for the IIHS to make the safety tests as realistic as possible. More accurate tests mean more accurate safety ratings that people are able to rely on.
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- Mazda outperforms Chevy in crash prevention and child seat safety
- In crashworthiness tests, Mazda and Chevy performed similarly for the midsize SUV class
- Safety ratings are important because they can protect you and help you save money on insurance costs
Performance: Mazda and Chevy
The Mazda CX-9 and the Chevy Equinox are two midsize SUVs that IIHS did tests on. The vehicles had very different test scores because of the safety features each of them had.
The IIHS designates test ratings based on car options available.
The features that allow the ratings to happen do not need to be standard on the car, but they must be available in one or more of the trim options or optional feature packages.
The rating scale goes from high to low:
- good
- acceptable
- marginal
- poor
Vehicles are also evaluated on crash avoidance which is on a scale as follows:
- superior
- advanced
- basic
If vehicles have five or six points, they are considered superior.
Read more: Compare Mazda Car Insurance Rates
How would each vehicle perform in a crash?
Tests performed to rate crashworthiness include tests on the front overlaps, sides and roof strength. All vehicles tested for crashworthiness will also have their head restraints and seats tested to ensure they perform during a collision.
It is important to note that a vehicle can have a lower number score in each of the sections but still be rated as good.
The Mazda CX-9 and the Chevy Equinox received the good score from each of the tests. They were able to perform during the collision, and they were able to meet all the standards IIHS has put into place for crash testing.
The only area in which the Equinox scored marginally higher than the CX-9 was the side impact test, possibly due to the higher wheelbase of the Equinox.
Can the vehicles avoid a crash?
To determine crash avoidance scores, IIHS looks at several factors the vehicle has. The vehicle needs to have a warning system for collisions, front crash avoidance abilities in auto brakes and headlights that have enough reach.
The scores are based on the crash avoidance and headlights.
The CX-9 received a superior score on front crash avoidance because of the auto brakes. The auto brakes prevented collisions in both tests but were only available in certain trim styles.
The Equinox did not have any auto brake options so it only scored one point. The single point caused it to fall into the basic category, but it did have a warning for the collision.
The Equinox did not have data available for headlights, but the CX-9 scored acceptable for its headlights.
Is the LATCH system easy to use?
To determine the efficacy of the LATCH system, IIHS puts the car through tests on how easy it is to use the system. Both the CX-9 and the Equinox had an acceptable score for the ease of use of the LATCH system.
Both of the vehicles could have scored a good score on the LATCH system, but they both had a LATCH system that was close to other hardware.
Because of this, users could mistake the hardware for the LATCH system, causing a failure. If the other hardware is moved, the chances of improving the score for the LATCH system will increase.
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Earning Awards
Because the CX-9 met all the criteria IIHS established for Top Safety Pick+, it received the award. The Mazda CX-9 scored a good on all of the crashworthiness categories. It also scored superior in crash avoidance.
The acceptable scores it received for headlights and the LATCH system helped it get the award, too.
The Equinox did not score enough to be a Top Safety Pick+ or even a Top Safety Pick.
Due to the fact the vehicle did not have headlights that could be tested and did not have an auto brake system, it did not meet the criteria. Because of these problems, it was ineligible for either of the awards.
The CX-9 is safer than the Equinox. This can be seen in the award the CX-9 was given as well as the general overall score of the vehicles.
The CX-9 consistently scored higher than the Equinox in every area except crashworthiness in a side-impact collision.
The Safest Choice
The safer the vehicle is, the safer you will be while you are driving it. Insurance companies also like safe vehicles, so be sure to consider this for while you are shopping for the best insurance prices.
A Top Safety Pick+ awarded vehicle will often cost less to insure than one that does not carry any type of safety award from the IIHS.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do Mazda and Chevy midsize SUVs compare in terms of safety ratings?
Mazda and Chevy midsize SUVs generally have good safety ratings, but it’s important to compare specific models. Both brands prioritize safety and equip their vehicles with advanced safety features. However, safety ratings can vary depending on the model and year of the SUV.
Which independent organizations provide safety ratings for Mazda and Chevy SUVs?
Two prominent organizations that provide safety ratings for vehicles, including Mazda and Chevy SUVs, are the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These organizations conduct rigorous tests and evaluations to determine the safety performance of vehicles.
How can I find the safety ratings for a specific Mazda or Chevy midsize SUV model?
To find safety ratings for a specific Mazda or Chevy midsize SUV model, you can visit the official websites of the NHTSA (www.nhtsa.gov) and the IIHS (www.iihs.org). These websites provide detailed information about the safety ratings and crash test results of various vehicle models, including SUVs.
What are some important safety features to look for in midsize SUVs?
When comparing safety features in midsize SUVs, some important ones to consider include:
- Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.
- Electronic stability control (ESC) to help maintain control of the vehicle in challenging driving conditions.
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) for better control during emergency braking.
- Multiple airbags, including front, side, and curtain airbags, to protect occupants in the event of a collision.
- Rearview cameras or surround-view cameras for enhanced visibility while parking and maneuvering.
- Adaptive headlights that adjust their direction based on steering input and road conditions.
Are there any specific Mazda midsize SUV models that have notable safety ratings?
Yes, Mazda midsize SUV models have received positive safety ratings in recent years. The Mazda CX-5, for example, has consistently received high safety ratings from both the NHTSA and the IIHS. It’s always recommended to check the latest safety ratings for specific models and model years.
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Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.