2019 Mazda3 Hindered by Headlights, Still Shines in Crash Tests


If you want a 2019 Mazda3 sedan with top safety scores, you’ll have to pony up extra money for it. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the redesigned sedan and hatchback its Top Safety Pick designation, but only sedan models equipped with the optional automatic braking system qualify (the system is standard on hatchbacks).
Related: 2019 Mazda3 Gets Sharp New Look and Steep New Price to Boot
- ${price_badge()}
- ${battery_badge()}${ev_report_link()}
- ${hot_car_badge()}
- ${award_badge()}
- ${cpo_badge()}
${price_badge_description}
The EV Battery Rating is based on this vehicle's current expected range relative to the vehicles expected range when new. ${battery_badge_text}
Certified cars are manufacturer warrantied and typically go through a rigorous multi-point inspection.
This car is likely to sell soon based on the price, features, and condition.
${award_blurb}
${award_two_blurb}
Shop the 2019 Mazda Mazda3 near you


Both body styles earned the requisite scores of good in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as the tough new passenger-side small overlap front test.
The cars also earned a superior rating in front crash prevention. In IIHS testing, the agency said the cars’ front crash-prevention system automatically avoided collisions in 12-mph and 25-mph track tests.
More From Cars.com:
- Redesigned 2019 Mazda3 Simplifies Look, Introduces Hybrid
- 2019 Mazda3 Goes for Style and Elegance in a Big Way
- Auto Show Face-Off: 2019 Honda Civic Sedan Vs. 2019 Mazda3 Sedan
- 2019 Mazda3 First Drive: Improvements Fall Short of Luxury Aspirations
Both vehicles earned only an acceptable headlight rating, however, precluding them from the higher Top Safety Pick Plus status. The 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback, a main Mazda3 competitor, also received the Top Safety Pick designation and also received an acceptable score for headlights. The redesigned 2020 Corolla sedan has not yet been tested, but both Corolla body styles offer standard front crash prevention.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

News Editor Jennifer Geiger joined the automotive industry in 2003, much to the delight of her Corvette-obsessed dad. Jennifer is an expert reviewer, certified car-seat technician and mom of three. She wears a lot of hats — many of them while driving a minivan.
Featured stories



2025 Lincoln Navigator Review: Elephantine Elegance
