Mazda Vehicles Recommended by IIHS and CR as Top Picks for Teens

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) have included several Mazda vehicles in their updated list of recommended new and used models for teen drivers. This recognition highlights Mazda’s strong commitment to building exceptionally safe vehicles. For parents, it's reassuring to know their teens are driving cars designed with safety in mind. Mazda’s lineup of cars and SUVs delivers outstanding crash protection and comes equipped with advanced driver-assistance features aimed at helping prevent accidents. Below are the models that earned a spot on the list:

Best New Mazda Vehicles for Teens (2025 Models)

• Small Cars – Mazda 3 hatchback and Mazda 3 sedan
• Small SUVs – Mazda CX-30 and Mazda CX-50
• Midsize SUVs – Mazda CX-70 and Mazda CX-90

Best Used Mazda Vehicles for Teens

Small Cars

• Mazda 3 sedan (2014–2019; only those built after October 2013)
• Mazda 3 hatchback (2014–2019; only those built after October 2013)
• Mazda 3 hatchback (2019 or newer)
• Mazda 3 sedan (2020 or newer)

Midsize Cars

• Mazda 6 (2016–2018)
• Mazda 6 (2019–2021; only those built after June 2019)

Small SUVs

• Mazda CX-3 (2016–2019)
• Mazda CX-3 (2020–2021)
• Mazda CX-5 (2014–2019; only those built after October 2013)
• Mazda CX-5 (2020 or newer)
• Mazda CX-30 (2022 or newer)

Midsize SUVs

• Mazda CX-9 (2017–2020; only those built after November 2016)
• Mazda CX-9 (2021 or newer)

To qualify for the list, vehicles had to meet specific safety standards. This included achieving at least average scores in braking and emergency handling, as well as offering easy-to-use safety systems.

All of Mazda’s recommended 2025 models received either a 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, proving they performed well in the organization’s toughest crash tests. These vehicles also feature high-quality automatic emergency braking, good or better-rated headlights, and effective seat belt reminders.

If you’d like to learn more about Mazda’s safety technologies, feel free to contact Reliable Mazda today.