The 2014 Mazda6 today earned an "Advanced" rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its performance of front crash prevention systems

WASHINGTON--Sept. 27, 2013: The 2014 Mazda6 today earned an "Advanced" rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its performance of front crash prevention systems. The Mazda6 also earned the "Top Safety Pick+" rating – the first Mazda to earn this new, more demanding designation, by receiving a rating of "Good" on frontal moderate overlap, side, roof and head restraint tests, and "Acceptable" on the new small overlap test.

"The 'Advanced' rating from IIHS illustrates Mazda's continued commitment to developing vehicles that offer not only the highest levels of occupant crash protection, but vehicles that are also fun to drive," said Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) President and CEO Jim O'Sullivan.

IIHS introduced its new rating system based on research by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) indicating that forward collision warning and automatic braking systems are helping drivers avoid front-to-rear crashes.

The 2014 Mazda6 features several all-new safety systems under the umbrella known as i-ACTIVSENSE. These technologies use sensing devices such as milliwave radars and cameras to support the driver in recognizing hazards, avoiding collisions and minimizing damage should accidents occur. While these systems will not eliminate accidents, their intent is to minimize them and reduce the severity of a crash.

The features available under i-ACTIVSENSE for North America are:

High Beam Control (HBC) – The system automatically switches the headlamps between high and low beams. Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) – This safety confirmation system detects objects located in blind-spot areas to the sides and rear of the vehicle and issues a visual alert within the outside mirrors for the driver to see. Should the turn signal be on for the direction in which the "blind" object is located, audible beeps will alert the driver. Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) – This system monitors the lane markings on the road and issues a warning to the driver when it predicts that the vehicle is going to depart from its lane unintentionally. Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) – This system monitors the vehicle ahead and issues both audible and visual alerts to help the driver take evasive action when it determines a high risk of collision to exist. FOW operates when traveling between speeds of 9 and 92 mph. Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) – When traveling at speeds of less than 19 mph, SCBS helps prevent or minimize a collision with a vehicle. Should the imbedded laser sensor detect an object, and the system calculates there may be a high risk for collision, the brake pedal travel is reduced in order to hasten braking. Should the driver fail to perform an avoidance maneuver, the system will activate an automatic braking function. Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) – The system determines the difference in speed and distance to the vehicle in front and will automatically adjust the cruising speed in order to maintain a safe distance. Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) – Optimizes distribution of light from the headlights in accordance to driving circumstances. Depending on vehicle speed and steering input, AFS points the low-beam headlights into the direction the driver intends to travel. Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) – Radars are used to detect objects approaching the vehicle from either side. Audible and visual warnings alert the driver of objects in the monitored area.

Priced competitively, the Mazda6 starts at $20,990[1] MSRP, offering an attractive, more affordable starting point for consumers than the best-selling vehicles in the segment. Equipped with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine and SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual, entry-level i Sport models offer high-level features starting with the largest standard wheels amongst its competitors with 17-inch aluminum alloys, power side view mirrors, automatic headlight shutoff as well as exterior body-color cues in the shark-fin antenna, door handles, outside mirrors and front and rear bumpers. The Mazda6 also achieves an EPA-rate best-in-class highway fuel economy of up to 40 highway mpg.