The Mazda CX-7 facelift inherits one of the segment's most comprehensive safety packages from the same vehicle that received the highest ranking of any compact SUV tested by the USA's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2007. For the refreshed model, several new active safety features are added for even more peace of mind.

Mazda's Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM) system is newly introduced to the CX-7 facelift (depending on grade and market). This system uses radar sensors in the rear bumper when the vehicle is travelling at 60 km/h or faster to monitor vehicles driving behind the car. It warns the driver if a car is approaching from the left or right rear, or is in the blind spot, by illuminating a warning lamp in the door mirror on the relevant side. If the driver turns on the indicator on the side of the approaching vehicle, a warning buzzer sounds and the warning lamp flashes.

Other new active safety features include a rear-view camera that uses the MID display to assist while driving in reverse or parking, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) that automatically flashes the rear hazard lamps whenever the driver brakes abruptly.

If the driver needs to slow down, he can rely on the Mazda CX-7's large ventilated disc brakes in front (320 mm) and rear (petrol: 302 mm, diesel: 325 mm), a 10.5 inch outer diameter brake booster and a long-stroke master cylinder for reliable deceleration with light pedal effort and short pedal travel. Standard are DSC with TCS, ABS, EBD, Emergency Brake Assist, automatic headlamps and rain sensor wipers (depending on grade and market).

The Mazda CX-7 facelift body shell and cabin are engineered with Mazda's extremely strong 'Triple-H' body structure that effectively resists impacts from various directions and helps protect the occupants. The front sub-frame delivers high energy absorption in case of frontal impact, and has a special joint part between the front side member and the sub-frame that redirects impact energy downward away from the cabin. This additional front sub-frame is also designed to help prevent Mazda CX-7's front end from 'climbing up' onto the bonnet of an oncoming car in a head-on collision. At the rear, the high rigidity structure includes an impact absorbing zone to better protect the fuel tank in case of a rear-end impact.

Inside are front seats designed to help protect the neck and chest in case of rear impact. They have an optimised head restraint position, reinforced attachment area, and a strengthened seat back frame structure that keeps the front occupants' head and chest supported against the head restraint, which helps avoid whiplash. Standard for all versions of the Mazda CX-7 facelift are front, side and curtain airbags, a collapsing brake pedal that helps reduce the chance of leg injury to the driver, ISOFIX safety seat mounts and top tethers in the rear seats, and pillar trim with energy absorbing ribs.