The 2017 Mazda 6 stands out in the competitive mid-size sedan market, not only for its sleek design and engaging driving dynamics but also for its commitment to safety. Understanding vehicle safety is paramount for car buyers, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) provides comprehensive evaluations to help consumers make informed decisions. This article delves into the IIHS crash test results for the 2017 Mazda 6, offering a detailed analysis of its performance in various safety evaluations.
The Mazda 6, redesigned in 2014, continued to prioritize occupant protection with enhancements introduced in 2016 models. These improvements included lengthened side curtain airbags and reprogrammed deployment timing for frontal and side airbags, specifically aimed at enhancing safety in small overlap frontal crashes. Let’s explore how the 2017 Mazda 6 performed in these rigorous tests.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation for the 2017 Mazda 6
The small overlap front crash test is particularly challenging, simulating a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts another vehicle or a rigid object. This test is crucial as it assesses how well the car’s structure and safety systems protect the driver in such severe impacts.
The 2017 Mazda 6, evaluated based on the 2016-21 model ratings which include structural data from both 2014 and 2016 model tests, achieved a “Good” rating in the driver-side small overlap front test. This “Good” rating is the highest possible, indicating a strong level of protection in this demanding scenario.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Head/neck injury measure | G |
| Chest injury measure | G |
| Hip/thigh injury measure | G |
| Lower leg/foot injury measure | A |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | A |
The structural performance of the 2017 Mazda 6 was rated “Good,” meaning the safety cage held up well during the crash, maintaining crucial survival space for the driver. Injury measures for the head, neck, chest, and hip/thigh were also “Good,” reflecting a low risk of significant injuries in these areas. However, the lower leg/foot injury measure and driver restraints/dummy kinematics received an “Acceptable” rating.
Action during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test of the 2016 Mazda 6, relevant to the 2017 model, showcasing vehicle deformation and airbag deployment.
The dummy’s head remained largely in contact with the frontal airbag, which is positive for head protection. However, there was some movement towards the A-pillar due to the seatbelt allowing excessive forward excursion of the dummy’s head and torso. The side curtain airbag deployed effectively, providing sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed as intended.
Post-crash dummy position inside the 2017 Mazda 6, driver-side small overlap test, demonstrating well-maintained survival space within the vehicle structure.
Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side reveal valuable insights into the structural integrity. In tests CEN1503 and CEN1305, the lower hinge pillar maximum intrusion was 13 cm in both, and footrest intrusion was 10 cm and 8 cm, respectively. Steering column and upper hinge pillar showed minimal intrusion, indicating a robust structure.
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (Test ID: CEN1503) | Measurement (Test ID: CEN1305) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 13 | 13 |
| Footrest (cm) | 10 | 8 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 4 | 3 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 4 | 8 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 1 | 3 |
| Steering column | 0 | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 6 | 6 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 5 | 9 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 8 | 10 |
Driver injury measures from test CEN1503 show a Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) of 152, with no hard contact for the head. Neck tension was 1.4 kN, and maximum Nij was 0.27. Chest maximum compression was 23 mm. Forces on the left and right femur were low, at 0.3 kN and 0.2 kN respectively. The maximum tibia index for the right leg was 0.81, suggesting a moderate risk of injury to the right lower leg.
Airbag and seatbelt performance in the 2017 Mazda 6 small overlap driver-side crash, showing effective airbag deployment but some seatbelt slack allowing forward movement.
Close-up of potential lower leg injury risk in the 2017 Mazda 6 driver-side small overlap crash test, highlighting forces on the dummy’s right lower leg.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation for the 2017 Mazda 6
The passenger-side small overlap front crash test is equally important, assessing the protection provided to the front passenger. The 2017 Mazda 6 also underwent this evaluation, with ratings applying to 2016-17 models.
The 2017 Mazda 6 earned a “Good” overall rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test. This consistent top performance on both sides of the vehicle is a strong indicator of overall frontal crash safety.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | A |
| Passenger injury measures (Head/neck, Chest, Hip/thigh, Lower leg/foot) | G |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
| Driver injury measures (Head/neck, Chest, Hip/thigh, Lower leg/foot) | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
While the overall rating was “Good,” the structure and safety cage received an “Acceptable” rating in this passenger-side test. However, all passenger and driver injury measures, as well as restraint and kinematics for both, were rated “Good.” This indicates that despite slightly less structural performance compared to the driver side, injury risks remained low for both occupants.
Action during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test of the 2017 Mazda 6, illustrating the vehicle’s response and safety system deployment.
The passenger’s survival space was maintained reasonably well. The frontal and side curtain airbags worked effectively together, preventing the passenger dummy’s head from contacting stiff structures or outside objects. Risk of injuries to the dummy’s legs and feet was low.
Dummy position after the 2017 Mazda 6 passenger-side small overlap crash, showing maintained passenger survival space within the car.
Airbag effectiveness in the 2017 Mazda 6 passenger-side small overlap test, demonstrating good head protection and containment.
Leg and foot injury risk assessment for the passenger in the 2017 Mazda 6 passenger-side small overlap crash test, indicating low risk of injury.
Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion on the passenger side (Test ID: CEP1709) show a lower hinge pillar maximum intrusion of 24 cm, footrest intrusion of 16 cm, and right toepan intrusion of 6 cm. Upper occupant compartment intrusions were also measured, including 6 cm at the center dash and 7 cm at the upper hinge pillar.
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side | Measurement (Test ID: CEP1709) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 24 |
| Footrest (cm) | 16 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 6 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 4 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 5 |
| Center dash (cm) | 6 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 7 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 12 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 15 |
Passenger injury measures from test CEP1709 include a HIC-15 of 252, again with no hard head contact. Neck tension was 2.6 kN, and maximum Nij was 0.69. Chest maximum compression was 19 mm. Femur forces for both legs were slightly higher than the driver-side test, but still within acceptable limits, at 1.1 kN and 1.6 kN. Maximum tibia indices were 0.52 and 0.55, indicating low leg injury risk. Driver injury measures in this passenger-side test were also low, demonstrating consistent protection across the front seating positions.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test for the 2017 Mazda 6
The moderate overlap front crash test involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front impacting a barrier, representing a common type of frontal collision. The 2017 Mazda 6, under the rating applicable to 2014-21 models, achieved a “Good” rating in this test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures (Head/neck, Chest, Leg/foot – left & right) | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The structure and safety cage again earned a “Good” rating, and all driver injury measures and restraint/kinematics were also rated “Good.” This test reinforces the strong frontal crash protection of the 2017 Mazda 6.
Action during the moderate overlap frontal crash test of the 2017 Mazda 6, illustrating overall vehicle impact and structural response.
Dummy movement was well-controlled in both the Institute’s and Mazda’s tests. Intrusion into the driver’s space was minimal. In the Institute’s test, during rebound, the dummy’s head contacted the sunvisor, roof, and grab handle, indicated by greasepaint, but this did not negatively impact the overall “Good” rating.
Post-crash dummy position in the 2017 Mazda 6 moderate overlap test, demonstrating well-maintained driver survival space.
Dummy rebound in the 2017 Mazda 6 moderate overlap test, showing head contact with interior components but overall good control.
Minimal intrusion in the 2017 Mazda 6 moderate overlap test, highlighting strong structural integrity and occupant space preservation.
Technical measurements from tests VTF1220 and CEF1301 reveal minimal footwell intrusion and instrument panel movement. Steering column and A-pillar rearward movement were also minimal.
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (Test ID: VTF1220) | Measurement (Test ID: CEF1301) |
|---|---|---|
| Footrest (cm) | 2 | 4 |
| Left footwell (cm) | 7 | 8 |
| Center footwell (cm) | 8 | 8 |
| Right footwell (cm) | 3 | 5 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 4 | 2 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Left (cm) | 0 | 1 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Right (cm) | -1 | 0 |
| Steering column upward movement (cm) | -6 | -3 |
| Steering column rearward movement (cm) | -5 | -6 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 1 | 0 |
Driver injury measures for both tests were low. HIC-15 values were 178 and 116, with no significant head contact. Neck forces, chest compression, and femur forces were all within safe ranges. Maximum tibia indices were 0.54 and 0.86, indicating low to moderate lower leg injury risk in the Institute’s test, but generally low across both tests.
Side Crash Test: Original Test for the 2017 Mazda 6
Side impacts are another critical area of safety evaluation. The 2017 Mazda 6, with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags, received a “Good” rating in the side crash test, based on Mazda-conducted tests assessed by the IIHS.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures (Head/neck, Torso, Pelvis/leg) | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures (Head/neck, Torso, Pelvis/leg) | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
All evaluation criteria for both driver and rear passenger injury measures, as well as head protection, were rated “Good.” This demonstrates excellent side impact protection for occupants in the 2017 Mazda 6.
Technical measurements from test VTS1219 show a B-pillar intrusion of -16.5 cm (negative indicating crush stopped short of seat centerline), signifying good structural resistance to side impact forces.
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (Test ID: VTS1219) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -16.5 |
Driver injury measures from test VTS1219 were low. Head HIC-15 was 182. Neck, shoulder, torso, and pelvis injury measures were all minimal. Rear passenger injury measures were similarly low, confirming good side impact protection for all occupants.
Roof Strength Test for the 2017 Mazda 6
Roof strength is crucial in rollover accidents. The 2017 Mazda 6 achieved a “Good” overall evaluation in the roof strength test, applicable to 2014-21 models.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,217 lbs |
| Peak force | 16,776 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.21 |
With a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.21, the roof of the 2017 Mazda 6 demonstrated its ability to withstand forces significantly greater than the vehicle’s weight, earning the highest “Good” rating.
Head Restraints & Seats of the 2017 Mazda 6
Whiplash protection in rear-end collisions is assessed through head restraint and seat evaluations. The 2017 Mazda 6 with leather power seats received a “Good” overall evaluation for head restraints & seats.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Both dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good.” Technical measurements indicate a backset of 5 mm and a distance below the top of the head of 10 mm, meeting design parameters for good whiplash protection.
Headlights of the 2017 Mazda 6
Headlight performance is a critical aspect of nighttime safety. The 2017 Mazda 6 headlight ratings vary by trim level, with LED projector headlights available on higher trims and halogen projectors on lower trims.
For the Grand Touring trim with LED projector low beams and LED reflector high beams (curve-adaptive and high-beam assist), the overall headlight rating was “Acceptable.” Similarly, the Touring trim with the Premium package, featuring the same LED headlights but without high-beam assist, also received an “Acceptable” rating. However, Sport and base Touring trims with halogen projector headlights received a “Marginal” overall rating.
| Trim Level(s) | Low-beam headlight type | High-beam headlight type | Curve-adaptive? | High-beam assist? | Overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Touring trim | LED projector | LED reflector | Yes | Yes | A |
| Touring trim equipped with Touring Premium package | LED projector | LED reflector | Yes | No | A |
| Sport trim, Touring trim | Halogen projector | Halogen reflector | No | No | M |
While the LED headlights on higher trims performed adequately, providing fair to good visibility in straightaways and curves, the halogen headlights on lower trims showed limitations, especially in curve visibility, resulting in a “Marginal” rating.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle for the 2017 Mazda 6
Front crash prevention systems are increasingly important for mitigating or avoiding frontal collisions. The 2017 Mazda 6 offers optional front crash prevention systems with varying levels of performance.
With the optional Smart Brake Support (available in the Grand Touring Trim), the 2017 Mazda 6 achieved a “Superior” rating in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. This system meets forward collision warning requirements and avoided a collision in the 12 mph test and significantly reduced impact speed in the 25 mph test.
With the optional Smart City Brake Support (available in the Touring Trim), the 2017 Mazda 6 achieved an “Advanced” rating. This system avoided a collision in the 12 mph test but did not slow down in the 25 mph test and does not meet forward collision warning requirements.
| System Details | Package Name | Overall Evaluation | Forward Collision Warning | 12 mph test | 25 mph test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional Smart Brake Support | Optional Grand Touring Trim | Superior | Meets requirements | Avoided collision | Impact speed reduced by 24 mph |
| Optional Smart City Brake Support | Optional Touring Trim | Advanced | Does not meet requirements | Avoided collision | Failed to slow |
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH) of the 2017 Mazda 6
Child seat anchor ease of use is vital for safe child passenger transport. The 2017 Mazda 6 received a “Marginal” rating for child seat anchors (LATCH).
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | M |
The 2017 Mazda 6 has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and one additional position with a tether anchor and ability to borrow lower anchors. However, lower anchors were noted as being too deep in the seat and difficult to maneuver around in some positions, contributing to the “Marginal” rating.
Conclusion: 2017 Mazda 6 – A Safe and Solid Choice
Overall, the 2017 Mazda 6 demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving top “Good” ratings in most IIHS crash tests, including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints & seats. While headlight ratings vary by trim and child seat anchor access is rated “Marginal,” the 2017 Mazda 6 provides robust occupant protection in various crash scenarios and offers advanced front crash prevention technologies. For safety-conscious buyers in the market for a mid-size sedan, the 2017 Mazda 6 is a highly recommendable and safe vehicle choice.
