The CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The QX60 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.
To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the QX60.
When descending a steep, off-road slope, the CX-90’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The QX60 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.
Both the CX-90 and QX60 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The QX60’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.
Both the CX-90 and the QX60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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 and available around view monitors.
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-90 is safer than the QX60:
|
CX-90 |
QX60 |
Overall Evaluation |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Structure |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
|
Driver Injury Measures |
|
Head/Neck |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Head Injury Criterion |
104 |
125 |
Neck Tension |
45 lbs. |
268 lbs. |
Torso |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Shoulder Deflection |
.28 in |
.63 in |
Shoulder Force |
134 lbs. |
156 lbs. |
Pelvis |
GOOD |
MARGINAL |
Pelvis Force |
513 lbs. |
1160 lbs. |
Head Protection |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
Passenger Injury Measures |
|
Head/Neck |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Head Injury Criterion |
18 |
65 |
Torso |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Shoulder Deflection |
.39 in |
.55 in |
Shoulder Force |
156 lbs. |
178 lbs. |
Pelvis |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Head Protection |
GOOD |
GOOD |
The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The QX60 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024, though it hasn’t yet been rated in the updated moderate overlap frontal test, a requirement for the “Top Safety Pick Plus” award.