Passive safety is concerned with helping protect occupants in accidents. Technologies to help ensure passive safety include seatbelts, airbags and crumple zones.

In 1997, Mazda developed the omnidirectional collision absorption body structure, Mazda Advanced Impact Distribution and Absorption System, which helps protect occupants while resisting cabin deformation by absorbing the force of collision impact over the entire vehicle. Since then, we have continued to evolve this proprietary technology. We currently perform a wide variety of crash tests in addition to those required by law, to achieve excellent results in JNCAP* crashworthiness tests.

* JNCAP stands for Japan New Car Assessment Program.

Mazda uses the highly rigid MAIDAS bodies for the CX-7, released in 2006. The new CX-7 was awarded the highest rating of five stars in the frontal and lateral crash tests administered by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Moreover, in the NHTSA dynamic rollover test the CX-7 achieved a four-star rating - the highest of any SUV currently on the market. In addition to MAIDAS, passive safety equipment in the CX-7 includes standard neck impact mitigating front seats, a crushable brake pedal, seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters and optional supplemental restraint system (SRS) curtain and front side airbags.

• The CX-7's SRS Curtain and Front Side Airbags

• Seatbelt with Pretensioner and Load Limiter