The CX-5 Turbo Signature has a standard 360° Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Impreza only offers a rear monitor.
The CX-5 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Impreza’s blind spot costs extra.
To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-5 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Impreza and isn't available on the not available.
Both the CX-5 and the Impreza have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available driver alert monitors.
The Mazda CX-5 weighs 567 to 880 pounds more than the Subaru Impreza. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Subaru Impreza:
|
CX-5 |
Impreza |
|
Driver |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
82 |
198 |
Neck Injury Risk |
23% |
39% |
Neck Compression |
23 lbs. |
50 lbs. |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
160/307 lbs. |
237/379 lbs. |
|
Passenger |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Chest Compression |
.5 inches |
.7 inches |
Neck Stress |
205 lbs. |
208 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Subaru Impreza:
|
CX-5 |
Impreza |
|
Front Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
81 |
165 |
Chest Movement |
.5 inches |
1 inches |
Abdominal Force |
126 lbs. |
293 lbs. |
Hip Force |
189 lbs. |
400 lbs. |
|
Rear Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
208 |
363 |
Spine Acceleration |
65 G’s |
79 G’s |
Hip Force |
524 lbs. |
715 lbs. |
|
Into Pole |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Max Damage Depth |
13 inches |
13 inches |
Spine Acceleration |
32 G’s |
49 G’s |
Hip Force |
435 lbs. |
824 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 76 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Impreza is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2021.