The structure and safety cage of the Mazda3 vehicles held up well, and the side airbags prevented the driver and rear passenger dummies from hitting their heads on hard interior surfaces, although there was a moderate risk of injury to the driver’s torso and pelvis. “Small cars have less of that weaker space because of their shorter wheelbase and occupant compartment.” “Doors tend to be weaker than the B-pillar and the frame surrounding the occupant compartment,” said Raul Arbelaez, vice-president of the IIHS Vehicle Research Center. However, the shorter length of a small car may be in its favour. When testing small and midsize SUVs, and midsize cars, the IIHS found that a higher ride height seemed to tie in with better performance on the new test, since the barrier strikes closer to the floor. Because the new test is still ongoing, its results don’t yet affect those top awards - but starting in 2023, a vehicle will have to earn “good” or “acceptable” in the new test before it can be considered for a Top Safety Pick, while “good” will be required for Pick+. When vehicles sufficiently pass all tests, the IIHS will award Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designations.

It also strikes the tested vehicle at 59 km/h (37 mph), up from the previous test at 50 km/h (31 mph). The new barrier weighs 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs), closer to the weight of a modern midsize SUV, while the old one weighed 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs).

The Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla sedan, Corolla hatchback, Honda Civic sedan, and Civic hatchback were rated “acceptable.” The Kia Forte, Subaru Crosstrek, and Subaru Impreza wagon and sedan rated “poor.” All eleven received the highest “good” rating in the previous side crash test. Out of eleven cars tested, the Mazda3 sedan and Mazda3 hatchback earned the top “good” rating.

Kia telluride crash test rating