Euro NCAP Crash Test Results

Test results and safety ratings

Mazda Mazda3 2009

1.6 'touring' , 5 door hatchback

Test Date: Nov 2009

Mazda Mazda3 crash test picture
Overall Star Rating Crash Rating 5 Stars
Adult Occupant 86%
Child Occupant 84%
Pedestrian 51%
Safety Assist 71%

Compare with other cars in the Small Family Car category

Driver head - Good
Driver neck - Good
Driver chest - Good
Driver abdomen
Driver right femur - Good Driver left femur - Good
Driver right lower leg - Good Driver left lower leg - Good
Driver right foot - Good Driver left foot - Good
Passenger head - Good
Passenger neck - Good
Passenger chest - Adequate
Passenger abdomen
Passenger right femur - Good Passenger left femur - Good
Passenger right lower leg - Good Passenger left lower leg - Good
Passenger right foot Passenger left foot
Side impact head - Adequate
Side impact chest - Good
Side impact abdomen - Good
Side impact pelvis - Good
Green = Good Good
Yellow = Adequate Adequate
Orange = Marginal Marginal
Brown = Weak Weak
Red = Poor Poor

Adult occupant

The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact, the windscreen pillar moving rearward by only 2mm. The car scored maximum points for its protection of the driver dummy. Protection of the passenger was rated as adequate for the chest and good for other body regions. Mazda were able to demonstrate that the knees and femurs of occupants of different sizes, and of those sat in different seating positions, would be similarly well protected. In the side barrier impact, dummy readings were good in all body regions. However, the curtain airbag did not deploy fully at the rear, leaving a space where an occupant's head might contact the C pillar. This was penalised by Euro NCAP and is reflected in a lowered score for the driver's head protection. The same phenomenon occurred in the more severe side pole test and that test was similarly penalised. In the pole test, dummy readings in the chest indicated poor protection. The seat and head restraint provided marginal protection against whiplash injuries in a rear impact.

Child occupant

The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the dummy regarding the status of the airbag is not sufficiently clear. Cars with serial numbers greater than JMZBL14Z201124005 have a permanently visible label warning of the dangers of using a rearward facing restraint in that seat without first disabling the airbag. Earlier cars did not have such labels and would have scored two points less for child occupant protection, although the star rating would be unchanged.

Pedestrian

The bumper scored maximum points for its protection of pedestrians' legs. However, in those areas most likely to be struck by an adult's head, the bonnet provided poor protection and scored no points.

Safety assist

Electronic Stability Control is standard equipment on the Mazda 3, as is a seatbelt reminder system for the driver and front passenger seats.

applies from VIN JMZBL14Z201124005