Adult occupant
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact, the windscreen pillar moving rearward by only 2mm. The car scored maximum points for its protection of the driver dummy. Protection of the passenger was rated as adequate for the chest and good for other body regions. Mazda were able to demonstrate that the knees and femurs of occupants of different sizes, and of those sat in different seating positions, would be similarly well protected. In the side barrier impact, dummy readings were good in all body regions. However, the curtain airbag did not deploy fully at the rear, leaving a space where an occupant's head might contact the C pillar. This was penalised by Euro NCAP and is reflected in a lowered score for the driver's head protection. The same phenomenon occurred in the more severe side pole test and that test was similarly penalised. In the pole test, dummy readings in the chest indicated poor protection. The seat and head restraint provided marginal protection against whiplash injuries in a rear impact.
Child occupant
Based on dummy readings from the frontal and side barrier tests, the Mazda 3 scored maximum points for its protection of both the 18 month and the 3 year infant. Forward movement of the head of the 3 year old, sat in a forward facing restraint, was well controlled. In the side impact, both dummies were properly contained by the shells of their restraints. The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the dummy regarding the status of the airbag is not sufficiently clear. Cars with serial numbers greater than JMZBL14Z201124005 have a permanently visible label warning of the dangers of using a rearward facing restraint in that seat without first disabling the airbag. Earlier cars did not have such labels and would have scored two points less for child occupant protection, although the star rating would be unchanged.
Pedestrian
The bumper scored maximum points for its protection of pedestrians' legs. However, in those areas most likely to be struck by an adult's head, the bonnet provided poor protection and scored no points.
Safety assist
Electronic Stability Control is standard equipment on the Mazda 3, as is a seatbelt reminder system for the driver and front passenger seats.