The Mazda 3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Prius doesn’t offer knee airbags.
The Mazda 3 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 Prius doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.
Both the Mazda 3 and the Prius have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda 3 is safer than the Toyota Prius:
|
Mazda 3 |
Prius |
|
Driver |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
89 |
163 |
Neck Injury Risk |
17% |
23% |
Neck Stress |
214 lbs. |
237 lbs. |
|
Passenger |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
153 |
348 |
Chest Compression |
.4 inches |
.6 inches |
Neck Compression |
20 lbs. |
23 lbs. |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
178/201 lbs. |
249/159 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 3 is safer than the Toyota Prius:
|
Mazda 3 |
Prius |
|
Front Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
112 |
167 |
Chest Movement |
.9 inches |
.9 inches |
Hip Force |
239 lbs. |
290 lbs. |
|
Rear Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
371 |
467 |
Hip Force |
620 lbs. |
705 lbs. |
|
Into Pole |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Max Damage Depth |
10 inches |
11 inches |
HIC |
199 |
384 |
Spine Acceleration |
30 G’s |
34 G’s |
Hip Force |
527 lbs. |
666 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The Mazda 3 Sedan has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 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 Prius has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.