NHTSA Awards 2014 Mazda Mazda3, Mazda6 5-Star Safety Scores

The 2014 Mazda Mazda3 and Mazda6 achieved the coveted safety-ratings double play recently, adding 5-Star Overall Vehicle Scores from NHTSA to their previously earned Top Safety Pick+ designations from the IIHS. And notably, a key factor in Mazda's safety success is the same thing that has been behind its impressive ability to combine peppy performance and frugal fuel-efficiency ratings: SKYACTIV technologies.

Now, much has been made about the SKYACTIV powertrains, and a bit less about SKYACTIV chassis, but it turns out the same approach informs the body structures of the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 and Mazda6. That means using plenty of high-strength, lightweight materials that allow the vehicles' bodies to "efficiently absorbs impact energy from any direction and helps to minimize the chance of the cabin structure being compromised."

Both the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 and Mazda6 also complement that safe structure with standard features such as:

• Six airbags (including advanced dual-front, front-seat side-mounted, and full-length side-curtain units)
• Front headrests specifically designed to reduce the possibility of whiplash
• Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist
• Dynamic stability control and traction control
• Hill-start assist
• Front seat-belt pretensioners and load limiters

Then, both the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 and Mazda6 build on the basics with available high-tech safety upgrades. For example, each one offers the i-ACTIVSENSE suite of technologies that relies on radar- and camera-based sensors to provide adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward-obstruction warning, lane-departure warning, high-beam control and collision mitigation features.

The party line from Jim O'Sullivan, president of Mazda North American Operations: "The Mazda3 and Mazda6 combine performance and safety with a level of power and driving satisfaction seldom found in the compact and family sedan categories. We are proud to offer the Mazda3 and Mazda6 as vehicles that blend class-leading performance and fun-to-drive [dynamics] with excellent crash test ratings."

With that kind of focus on safety, it's no surprise to learn that the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 and Mazda6—and Mazda CX-5—all also were honored as among the Best Cars for Families in the recent ratings from U.S. News & World Report. According to Jamie Page Deaton, managing editor, U.S. News Best Cars: "The Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 were redesigned within the last two years and most reviewers agree that they're among the top performers in each of their classes—proving that a family car doesn't have to be boring to drive."