The 2026 Mazda CX-5 has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest safety designation, but there's another number in this announcement that caught our attention at DELLA Mazda of Glens Falls: 100. The new CX-5 's 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award marks the 100th TOP SAFETY PICK award Mazda has earned since the program began in 2008. Of those 100 awards, 74 have been TOP SAFETY PICK+ designations. For drivers around Queensbury and Glens Falls considering a new SUV, the latest CX-5 award also gives you something concrete to look at beyond features and styling. You can explore our New Mazda Inventory at DELLA Mazda while you're researching the 2026 lineup, or check our current New Vehicle Specials to see available offers. What Did the 2026 Mazda CX-5 Have to Do to Earn TOP SAFETY PICK+? IIHS doesn't hand out its highest award based on a single crash test. To qualify for a 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front and side crash tests. Acceptable- or good-rated headlights also need to be standard across every trim level. Crash prevention counts, too. Winners need standard front crash prevention technology that earns a good rating in IIHS pedestrian testing and an acceptable or good rating in its vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0 evaluation. Any optional front crash prevention systems must meet those requirements as well. The 2026 CX-5 met the criteria across all of those areas. The CX-5 Is Mazda's Ninth TOP SAFETY PICK+ Winner for 2026 The CX-5 isn't an outlier in Mazda's current lineup. Mazda entered 2026 with eight models already earning TOP SAFETY PICK+ recognition, more than any other brand at the time. The CX-5 has now brought that number to nine. The other 2026 Mazda winners include the Mazda3 Sedan, Mazda3 Hatchback, CX-30, CX-50 and CX-50 Hybrid, CX-70, CX-70 PHEV, CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV. That gives shoppers quite a range to work with. Someone looking for a compact SUV may end up comparing the CX-5 with the Mazda CX-30 or CX-50, while a driver who needs more passenger or cargo room can explore the Mazda CX-70 or CX-90. Many of the Mazda models you're likely to cross-shop have now met the same demanding 2026 IIHS criteria. You can compare available models through our New Mazda Inventory or browse our Certified Pre-Owned Inventory if you're considering both new and pre-owned options. Mazda Has Now Earned 100 IIHS Safety Awards Since 2008 One hundred awards gives us a much longer timeline than the 2026 model year alone. IIHS launched the TOP SAFETY PICK program in 2006, and Mazda's tally since 2008 has now reached triple digits. More importantly, IIHS criteria haven't remained static during that time. The organization has continued changing and strengthening the requirements vehicles must meet. IIHS President David Harkey specifically pointed to Mazda's ability to improve its vehicles as those criteria have evolved when commenting on the milestone. That's what makes 100 worth mentioning. The CX-5 didn't simply add another award under the same standards Mazda vehicles were being evaluated against years ago. It earned the highest designation under the requirements IIHS established for 2026. Why the 2026 Mazda CX-5 Safety Award Matters for Queensbury Drivers Safety technology can feel abstract when you're comparing specifications online. Its purpose becomes much easier to appreciate when you think about where your vehicle actually spends its time. Around Queensbury, that could mean everyday traffic on Quaker Road, trips between Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs, winter driving, or weekends heading toward Lake George and the Adirondacks. A compact SUV often has to cover all of those roles without asking its owner to think much about it. The CX-5 's latest recognition gives shoppers an independent assessment to consider alongside the things they'll notice immediately during a test drive. If the CX-5 is on your list, you can Schedule a Test Drive at DELLA Mazda of Glens Falls to experience it for yourself. If you're replacing your current vehicle, you can also complete a Trade Appraisal online before your visit. Find Your Mazda at DELLA Mazda of Glens Falls The 2026 CX-5 earning TOP SAFETY PICK+ would be noteworthy on its own. Becoming Mazda's 100th IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award gives the achievement some history behind it. Visit DELLA Mazda of Glens Falls in Queensbury to explore our current selection of new Mazda vehicles, along with pre-owned and Certified Pre-Owned options. You can also browse our New and Pre-Owned Vehicle Specials, explore financing options online, or work with our Service Center to keep your current Mazda ready for the miles ahead. We're proud to serve drivers throughout Queensbury, Glens Falls and the surrounding communities, and we're happy to help you compare the CX-5 with the rest of Mazda's 2026 SUV lineup.
