MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index

MODEL

Mazda CX-90-Mhev

NHTSA safety across every Mazda CX-90-Mhev model year we cover.

Across the 1 model year of the Mazda CX-90-Mhev we cover (2024 to 2024), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2024 at 85 on the NHTSA Safety Index. No recalls are on record across those years.

THE MOTORCALIBER REVIEW
MotorCaliber editorial Reviewed against NHTSA data 2026-07-02

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 MHEV is a three-row mild-hybrid SUV competing in the full-size family segment, positioned as Mazda's flagship people-hauler. It targets buyers who want premium character and versatility without stepping into luxury-brand territory. With seating for up to eight and a mild-hybrid powertrain, it courts families who prioritize refinement and fuel efficiency alongside real-world practicality.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 MHEV earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 85 out of 100, placing it firmly in the Strong band - a respectable result for a first-model-year flagship. Crash-test scores tell a nuanced story: the side-impact rating is a perfect 5 out of 5 stars, which is genuinely impressive and signals strong structural engineering in the most statistically dangerous crash scenario. The frontal and rollover ratings both land at 4 out of 5 stars - solid, but not the sweep that safety-focused shoppers might hope for from a brand-new platform. One of the CX-90 MHEV's clearest wins is its recall record: zero recalls across the 2024 model year. For a freshly launched nameplate, that is a meaningful data point suggesting Mazda's pre-production quality controls held up. The owner complaint picture deserves honest attention. With 297 complaints on file, including 8 alleged crashes and 9 reported injuries, the volume is notable for a single model year. It is important to emphasize these are unverified allegations, and complaint counts naturally climb as more vehicles enter service. Still, shoppers should monitor NHTSA's complaint portal as the model matures. Overall, the CX-90 MHEV delivers a genuinely strong safety foundation - especially in side-impact protection - with a clean recall slate. The frontal and rollover scores leave modest room for improvement, and the complaint tally warrants ongoing attention.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the CX-90 as one of Mazda's most ambitious and polished vehicles, praising its upscale interior presentation, composed driving dynamics, and premium feel relative to its price point. Most acknowledge it as a strong value proposition in the three-row SUV segment, though some note that the mild-hybrid system is more efficiency-focused than performance-transforming.

WHAT TO KNOW
  • Side-impact protection is a genuine highlight - the 2024 CX-90 MHEV earned a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's side-crash test, which is the most critical crash scenario in real-world fatality data.
  • Zero recalls in its debut model year is a meaningful safety positive, suggesting Mazda identified and addressed potential issues before vehicles reached owners rather than after.
  • 297 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2024 model year - including 8 alleged crashes and 9 reported injuries - a volume worth monitoring as the vehicle ages, even though these are unverified allegations.
  • Frontal and rollover ratings both sit at 4 out of 5 stars rather than a perfect score, so shoppers prioritizing maximum frontal-crash protection may want to cross-shop rivals with 5-star frontal results before deciding.

BY YEARCX-90-Mhev by model year