2026 Mazda CX-5 Earns Top Safety Honors: What Delaware Drivers Should Know

When you shop for an SUV, safety deserves a place alongside comfort, technology, and performance. Whether you commute along I-95, take the family around Newark, or travel to the Delaware beaches, understanding a vehicle’s safety ratings can help you make an informed decision.

The redesigned 2026 Mazda CX-5 has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, the organization’s highest safety recognition. Announced on July 9, 2026, the award also marked Mazda’s 100th IIHS top safety award.

At Martin Mazda in Newark, Delaware, we want to help shoppers understand what this recognition means—and how the CX-5’s safety technology can support everyday driving.

What Does TOP SAFETY PICK+ Mean?

IIHS is an independent organization that evaluates vehicle crash protection and crash-avoidance performance. Its TOP SAFETY PICK+ award requires vehicles to meet demanding standards in several areas.

For 2026, qualifying vehicles must earn:

• Good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side crash tests.
• Acceptable or good headlights across all trim levels.
• A good rating for standard pedestrian front crash prevention.
• An acceptable or good rating for standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention in IIHS’s updated test.

These requirements assess both protection during a collision and technology designed to help prevent one. IIHS awards identify strong safety choices within vehicle size categories; they do not mean every award-winning vehicle offers identical protection.

Safety Features for Everyday Driving

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 offers an expanded range of standard driver-assistance features. These include Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Speed Limit Assist.

For Delaware drivers, these systems address situations that can arise during an ordinary day: changing lanes on a busy highway, backing out of a parking space, or keeping track of changing speed limits.

During a test drive, ask our team to explain how the alerts work and where you can adjust their settings. Understanding a feature before you need it helps you use it confidently.

Available Technology Adds More Assistance

Depending on the trim, the CX-5 also offers an enhanced 360° View Monitor and Cruising and Traffic Support with Lane Change Assist. These available features provide additional assistance with maneuvering and certain driving situations.

Choosing the right trim starts with knowing which features matter to you. Our team can explain the differences and help you compare the equipment on a specific vehicle.

Driver-assistance systems have operating limits and require an attentive driver. They supplement safe driving habits, seat-belt use, and careful observation.

Mazda’s Recognition Extends Beyond the CX-5

The CX-5’s award brought Mazda’s total to nine 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards at the time of the July announcement.

Other recognized models include the Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback, CX-30, CX-50—including the CX-50 Hybrid—CX-70, CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid, CX-90, and CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid.

Mazda also ranked first in Consumer Reports’ 2026 safest new-car brand assessment, published in February. That assessment considers crash-test performance, braking, handling, and crash-avoidance technology. It is a separate evaluation from the IIHS awards, providing another perspective for shoppers researching vehicle safety.

Explore the 2026 Mazda CX-5 at Martin Mazda

Safety ratings are a useful starting point. Your next step is to spend time in the vehicle: check your visibility, try the controls, explore the passenger space, and learn how its safety features operate.

Contact Martin Mazda in Newark, Delaware, to check current CX-5 availability and schedule a test drive. Our team can walk you through the trim levels and help you find the features that fit your needs.

Visit MartinMazda.com or call (302) 738-5200 to explore your next Mazda.

Safety features vary by model and trim. Driver-assistance systems do not replace attentive driving. Consult the owner’s manual for system limitations and operating instructions. Consumer Reports does not endorse products or services.