• Available on Sport Nav models^ the optional Safety Pack now includes Adaptive LED Headlights.
• Smart City Brake Support standard from SE-L Nav upwards.
• Upgraded head-up display now features full colour and Traffic Sign Recognition.
• Rear view camera standard on Sport Nav models.

Thanks to a SKYACTIV-Body that provides an incredibly strong and lightweight protective safety cell around driver and passengers, the Mazda3 was awarded the maximum five-star Euro-NCAP crashworthiness rating when it was tested ahead of its launch at the end of 2013.

Even better, thanks to an extensive range of Mazda i-ACTIVSENSE active safety systems, the Mazda3 is equipped with cutting edge accident avoidance and mitigation systems. Combined with the passive safety provided by the Mazda3’s strong body, these intelligent sensor-based active safety systems aim to minimise the risk of an accident by helping the driver recognise hazards, maximise the range of conditions in which the driver can safely operate the vehicle, and then reduce the severity of accidents when they cannot be avoided for both occupants and pedestrians.

Equipped with the full range of Mazda’s advanced and innovative driver-supporting safety technologies, the Mazda3 features Hill Hold Assist (HHA), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Emergency Stop Signalling System (ESS) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), along with six airbags – dual front, side airbags and full-length curtain, while ISOFIX rear seats and five three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners complete the standard safety package. The large capacity side and curtain airbags not only cover the pelvis but also offer higher levels of impact protection to the chest and abdomen. Naturally, the head areas for both front and rear occupants are fully covered.

Also standard, Mazda’s updated Advanced Smart City Brake Support automatically stops or reduces the speed of the car when there is a risk of collision with the vehicle in front.If there is the danger of a collision, the system alerts the driver using a warning sound and graphic indication, and if it detects a collision is imminent and unavoidable, the system automatically applies the brakes.

With the previous system,obstructions were detected using infrared sensors; however the Mazda3’s Advanced Smart City Brake Support uses a forward sensing camera, which has expanded the detection distance and widened the view angle. The system can minimise a collision up to an increased speed of approximately 50mph, and prevent a vehicle collision up to approximately 30mph.

Available on Sport Nav models^ in conjunction with leather seats, the optional Safety Pack allows drivers to choose Mazda’s Lane-Keep Assist (LAS), Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (BSM w/RCTA), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Rear Smart City Brake Support (Rr SCBS) - and making its debut on the Mazda3 – Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH).

Mazda’s Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) technology has been developed in the pursuit of ideal visibility during night time driving. Its three unique functions are called, Glare-free High Beam, Wide-range Low Beam and Highway mode. Glare-free High Beam detects the position of the vehicle ahead or an on-coming vehicle and turns off sections of the LEDs so that the high beams can be used continuously without dazzling other vehicles. Wide-range Low Beam ensures that the LED lights illuminate both sides of the road over a wider spread to help light up junctions and turns, while Highway mode, increases visibility at a distance by raising the headlamp optical axis when driving at motorway speeds.

Other highlights within the Safety Pack include Mazda’s Lane-Keep Assist, which uses a camera mounted on the windscreen to monitor lane markings and warn the driver with a rumble strip noise if they unintentionally stray into another lane without signaling. Equally reassuring in everyday driving is Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, this uses the Blind Spot warning sensors to detect pedestrians, bicycles and other vehicles when reversing, displaying a warning light in the relevant door mirror. Combined with the standard Rear View camera fitted to Sport Nav cars, the Mazda3 makes reversing a breeze.

With meticulous attention paid to lowering the risk of pedestrian impact injury, the Mazda3’s safety reach extends to other road users, as well. Despite both hatchback and Fastback models featuring a low and chiseled bonnet line that makes it difficult to build in deep crumple zones above the front suspension towers, Mazda’s safety engineers have ensured it exceeds all current European pedestrian impact legislation thanks to features like bonnet hinges that yield vertically and an engine cowling that’s optimised to soften under impact. Both features reduce the chance of head injuries and in addition, energy-absorbing foam used on the front bumper reinforcing member protects pedestrians’ legs, while a stiffer lower guard prevents them becoming trapped beneath the car.

As you’d expect of a global big seller that sits at the heart of the Mazda brand, the Mazda3 comes with the reassurance of the very best 21^st century safety technology, without the need to compromise its lightness, efficiency, refinement and driver involvement.

^Optional on Sport Nav hatchbacks in combination with Black Leather or Light Stone leather trim. Not avaialble on 105ps diesel models.