2012 Mazda3 Named "Top Safety Pick" By Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

- Mazda's Best-Selling Vehicle Receives Highest Safety Rating From IIHS -

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Dec 15, 2011, 11:18 ET

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2012 Mazda3 was today recognized as a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Refreshed for 2012, both sedan and hatchback models received the organization's highest possible crash safety rating of "good" in all four tests conducted.

"Mazda3 is an important vehicle for Mazda on so many levels," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "Making up nearly 60 percent of our year-to-date car sales, Mazda3 is not only our best-selling car but also our first North American product to offer SKYACTIV®[1] TECHNOLOGY, our innovative fuel-saving, performance-oriented engineering initiative. Being recognized as a 'Top Safety Pick' further shows Mazda's commitment to providing consumers with vehicles that meet their every need, from performance and design to quality and safety."

Vehicles receive ratings based on results from the Institute's evaluations on front, side and rear impact crash tests as well as a roof strength test (implemented in 2010), which measures occupant protection in the event of a rollover. Each vehicle's overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion specific to each crash angle and the injury impact on crash test dummies positioned within the vehicles at the time of collision. Only vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are eligible for testing.

Starting at $15,200, Mazda3 is available with four powertrains on either four- or five-door styles. The sedan-only MZR 2.0-liter gasoline engine offers 148 horsepower with 135 lb.-ft. of torque. The SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine, available for both sedan ($18,450) and hatchback ($18,950) models, produces 155 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque. Also available for both models is a larger MZR 2.5-liter engine, which boasts 167 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque. Starting at $24,000, the MAZDASPEED3 completes the lineup and is equipped with a direct-injected, turbocharged MZR 2.3-liter engine which produces 263 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque.

All 2012 Mazda3 and MAZDASPEED3 models are equipped with a high level of standard safety features, which include six airbags (advanced dual front, front-seat mounted and full-length side curtain), anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with a Traction Control System (TCS), front and rear stabilizer bars, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), a "crushable" brake and accelerator pedal assembly and collapsible steering column, active front headrests, three-point safety belts for all seating positions, front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters as well as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH). Available safety options include a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) with auto-leveling bi-xenon headlamps.

Founded in 1959, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent, non-profit, scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage that result from crashes on the nation's highways and roads. The Institute, along with affiliate the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), supports highway safety efforts and accident prevention through vehicle crash safety tests as well as consumer education, such as driver behavior and roadway designs. For more information, visit www.iihs.org.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

For more information on Mazda vehicles, visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com. Product B-roll may be ordered online by visiting The News Market at www.thenewsmarket.com/mazda.

[1] SKYACTIV is a registered trademark of Mazda Motor Corporation.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations