January 6, 2011
New crash test results: Mazda 2
The Mazda 2, a minicar new to the US market for the 2011 model year, earns good ratings for frontal crash protection and for roof strength in rollover crashes. This model is rated acceptable for side impact protection and also acceptable for protection against whiplash injury in rear impacts.
Rollover/roof strength test:
In the Institute's roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against 1 side of a roof at a constant speed. To earn a good rating, the roof must withstand a force of 4 times the vehicle's weight before reaching 5 inches of crush.
2011 Mazda 2 rating for roof strength in rollover crashes — GOOD
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Vehicle Research Center roof crush machine: 2011 Mazda 2 pre-test 11/10/10 |
40 mph frontal offset test: 2011 Mazda 2 — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot 10/1/10 |
Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test 11/9/10 |
The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well. 11/9/10 |
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag during rebound. 11/9/10 |
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. 11/9/10 |
31 mph side impact test representing a strike from a pickup or SUV: 2011 Mazda 2 — ACCEPTABLE
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Pre-crash studio shot 10/1/10 |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test 12/9/10 |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment 12/10/10 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag. 12/9/10 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy's head was protected by the side airbag. 12/9/10 |
