Car Inovation 201X: 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3

AMAG - "The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just made the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback a Top Safety Pick for the 2011 model year.After some tweaks made by Mazda, the IIHS performed a roof strength test that completed the required tests to determine its Top Safety Pick status."

Any Mazda3 made after December of last year is considered a Top Safety Pick for 2011. This is good news for Mazda, considering the number of competitors already on that safety list. Other picks in the small-car category included the Honda Civic (non-Si), Chevrolet Cruze, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Kia Forte sedan, and VW Golf hatchback. In order to even be considered a Top Safety Pick the car must receive good ratings in side, back, front, and roof strength crash tests, and have electronic stability control. “Nearly half of all Mazdas sold in the United States are Mazda3s, so we are justifiably proud of the 2011 Mazda3 earning the distinction of the IIHS ‘Top Safety Pick," says Jim O’Sullivan, President and CEO of Mazda North America. At the NHTSA, the 2011 Mazda3 received an overall 4-star rating. Front crash ratings was 5-stars, but side impact ratings got only 2-stars because a door panel striked the torso of the rear passenger dummy. Read more inside Automobile: 2011 Mazda3