The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Venza doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.
Both the CX-5 and the Venza 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.
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 Toyota Venza:
|
CX-5 |
Venza |
OVERALL STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
|
Driver |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
HIC |
82 |
152 |
Neck Injury Risk |
23% |
29.3% |
Neck Stress |
274 lbs. |
306 lbs. |
Neck Compression |
23 lbs. |
56 lbs. |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
160/307 lbs. |
400/388 lbs. |
|
Passenger |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
156 |
284 |
Neck Injury Risk |
37% |
37.4% |
Neck Stress |
205 lbs. |
258 lbs. |
Neck Compression |
86 lbs. |
95 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 Toyota Venza:
|
CX-5 |
Venza |
|
Front Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
81 |
83 |
Chest Movement |
.5 inches |
.5 inches |
Abdominal Force |
126 lbs. |
138 lbs. |
Hip Force |
189 lbs. |
246 lbs. |
|
Into Pole |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Max Damage Depth |
13 inches |
14 inches |
Spine Acceleration |
32 G’s |
36 G’s |
Hip Force |
435 lbs. |
835 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Venza:
|
CX-5 |
Venza |
Overall Evaluation |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
Structure |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
Driver Injury Measures |
|
Head/Neck |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Neck Compression |
45 lbs. |
67 lbs. |
Torso Deflection Rate |
6 MPH |
7 MPH |
Pelvis |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
Pelvis Force |
848 lbs. |
1093 lbs. |
Head Protection |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
Passenger Injury Measures |
|
Head/Neck |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Head Injury Criterion |
307 |
542 |
Head Peak Forces |
no contact |
104 G’s |
Neck Tension |
22 lbs. |
312 lbs. |
Torso |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Pelvis |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Pelvis Force |
602 lbs. |
692 lbs. |
Head Protection |
GOOD |
MARGINAL |
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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 126 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Venza is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.