Mazda’s safety bubble

The new Mazda5 was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show; it is a compact MPV in its third generation of production. The new Mazda5 is packed with safety features, it comes as standard with six airbags – front, side and curtain airbags. 

The new Mazda in Yorkshire is also packed with driver aids to help prevents accidents from taking place in the first instance. The 5 comes as standard with large 300mm ventilated disc brakes in the front and 302mm rear brakes, four-channel ABS, electric brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, traction control (TCS) and DSC; and an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) that warns the cars behind of a sudden braking manoeuvre by automatically flashing the hazard lights rapidly.

There are some other clever safety features in the Mazda5, I really like the idea of Mazda's Brake Override System, which always prioritises the brake pedal over the accelerator pedal should both be engaged at the same time, allowing the car to be brought to a safe stop. The Mazda5 also comes with a park-assist system with four sensors in the rear bumper that continuously measure the distance to any object when parking in reverse gear.

Safety features are not the only highlight of the Mazda5, the new Mazda not only has an aesthetically pleasing front, but the front end has been designed to contribute to efficient drag performance too. It has a new front lip spoiler, a flat engine under floor cover and front tyre deflectors work together to channel the air under the vehicle efficiently, which reduce drag and help to keep fuel consumption down.

Personally, I think the Mazda5 is one of the best looking Compact MPVs out there, packed with all the safety features it’s the ideal car to chauffer a family around. If it drives as well as it looks then Mazda are onto a winner here.