Brand hub · IIHS data updated 2026-10-22
Nissan Safety Ratings (2026)
Every current Nissan model in IIHS records, scored with the same formula as our main ranking, plus real-world death rates for used Nissan models where the data exists.
The safest current Nissan is the 2027 Nissan Murano, scoring 95.4/100 with no current IIHS award, #25 of 136 in our overall ranking. Nissan has 9 current models in IIHS records, 8 with complete crash-test results; 2 earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick+ and 1 earned a Top Safety Pick.
Nissan safety weighted by sales
Nissan’s sales-weighted current-model score is 85.4/100, covering 85.0% of its 464,761 reported U.S. sales in January–June 2026. Its TSP+ sales-mix proxy is 30.0%. Ranges reflect unpublished variant splits, not statistical confidence intervals.
Sales basis: compiled quarterly figures. GCBC model and brand tables (Q1 + Q2 2026); GCBC brand totals. Checked 2026-09-16.
See sales weights, matched models and exclusions
| Sales bucket | Units / share | Current score | TSP+ mapping | Matched records / limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rogue | 135,970 29.3% | 87.7 | No current TSP+ | 2026 Nissan Rogue |
| Sentra | 75,549 16.3% | 92.2 | All mapped variants | 2027 Nissan Sentra |
| Pathfinder | 64,071 13.8% | 91.7 | All mapped variants | 2026 Nissan Pathfinder |
| Kicks | 55,768 12.0% | 93.1 | No current TSP+ | 2027 Nissan Kicks |
| Frontier | 43,101 9.3% | Not available | Unresolved | 2026 Nissan Frontier Sales include King Cab; only crew cab is mapped. |
| Altima | 42,288 9.1% | 41.6 | No current TSP+ | 2026 Nissan Altima |
| Murano | 19,661 4.2% | 95.4 | No current TSP+ | 2027 Nissan Murano |
| Versa | 14,857 3.2% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| Armada | 10,005 2.2% | Not available | No current TSP+ | 2027 Nissan Armada At least one mapped variant lacks complete scoring evidence; this sales bucket is excluded from the mean. |
| Z | 1,705 0.4% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| Leaf | 1,684 0.4% | 88.1 | No current TSP+ | 2026 Nissan Leaf |
| Ariya | 90 0.0% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| Titan | 10 0.0% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| GT-R | 2 0.0% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| Maxima | 0 0.0% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
How sales weighting and variant ranges work
Current ratings, weighted by January–June 2026 U.S. sales. The mean is the sum of each current score × its model’s sales, divided by sales with complete, compatible scores. High-volume models therefore count more. This changes brand aggregation only; individual vehicle scores and ranks are unchanged.
A range shows the possible mix of separately rated variants when their sales split is unpublished. We count a combined sales total once. Unmatched models, unresolved body styles and incomplete scores are excluded from the mean and reduce its sales coverage. Do not compare a brand covering a small slice of sales with one covering nearly its whole lineup as though the evidence were equal.
The TSP+ sales-mix proxy divides sales mapped to current TSP+ records by all reported brand sales. A range reflects award differences within mapped variants. Unmatched sales add nothing to this proxy; they are not rated failures. Current model years, build dates and required equipment still apply: this is a sales-mix comparison of current designs, not the percentage of vehicles delivered in the first half that actually qualified for an award. It is not a death-risk estimate.
Every current Nissan ranked by safety
Where two vehicles score the same, the injury measures behind that score break the tie; vehicles matching on both share a rank. The score is 55% primary IIHS tests, 25% selected occupant-protection details, 10% pedestrian front crash prevention, and 10% class context. Missing evidence never counts as passing. Class rank compares each model with every vehicle in its IIHS class, not just other Nissan models.
| Rank | Vehicle | Class | Class rank | IIHS award | Starts at | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2027 Nissan Murano | Midsize SUVs | 11 of 32 | No award | ~$41,670 | 95.4 |
| 2 | 2027 Nissan Kicks | Small SUVs | 6 of 32 | TSP | ~$22,730 | 93.1 |
| 3 | 2027 Nissan Sentra | Small cars | 2 of 14 | TSP+ | ~$22,600 | 92.2 |
| 4 | 2026 Nissan Pathfinder | Midsize SUVs | 19 of 32 | TSP+ | ~$39,045 | 91.7 |
| 5 | 2026 Nissan Leaf | Small cars | 9 of 14 | No award | ~$29,990 | 88.1 |
| 6 | 2026 Nissan Rogue | Small SUVs | 14 of 32 | No award | ~$29,090 | 87.7 |
| 7 | 2026 Nissan Frontier | Small pickups | 2 of 7 | No award | ~$33,550 | 79.5 |
| 8 | 2026 Nissan Altima | Midsize cars | 4 of 4 | No award | ~$27,580 | 41.6 |
Prices are approximate base MSRPs excluding destination. TSP+ is IIHS Top Safety Pick+; TSP is Top Safety Pick. Full weights and rules are on the methodology page.
1 Nissan model still waiting on complete IIHS results
These are listed so you can see what has been tested. A missing result is never treated as a pass or a fail, so they are not ranked.
| Vehicle | Class | Primary tests reported | Detail results reported | IIHS award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Nissan Armada | Large SUVs | 2/4 | 3/4 | No award |
Real-world death rates for used Nissan models
Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years from the July 2026 IIHS driver death rate study (2021–2024 crashes), compared with the average for each model's class. Lower is better. These are older model years and are separate from the crash-test scores above.
| Vehicle | Model years | Driver death rate | Class average | 95% confidence bounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Murano 4WD | 2021-23 | 24 | 24 | 0–61 |
| Nissan Pathfinder 4WD | 2022-23 | 24 | 24 | 0–49 |
| Nissan Frontier crew cab short bed 4WD | 2022-23 | 32 | 31 | 3–61 |
| Nissan Rogue 4WD | 2021-23 | 33 | 38 | 17–49 |
| Nissan Titan crew cab short bed 4WD | 2020-23 | 49 | 29 | 1–97 |
| Nissan Rogue 2WD | 2021-23 | 59 | 38 | 34–84 |
| Nissan Sentra | 2020-23 | 81 | 79 | 60–103 |
| Nissan Kicks | 2020-23 | 86 | 79 | 57–114 |
| Nissan Altima | 2021-23 | 105 | 67 | 72–138 |
| Nissan Maxima | 2020-23 | 105 | 67 | 47–163 |
| Nissan Versa | 2020-23 | 164 | 79 | 118–211 |
Green means at or below the class average; red means above it. Every used model is on the safest used cars page.
Older Nissan model years
Earlier model years with IIHS results on this site. They are not part of the current ranking.
- 2025 Nissan Ariya
- 2026 Nissan Armada
- 2025 Nissan Armada
- 2026 Nissan KicksAward applies only to vehicles built after June 2026
- 2025 Nissan Kicks Play
- 2025 Nissan Leaf
- 2025 Nissan Leaf Plus
- 2026 Nissan Murano
- 2025 Nissan Murano
- 2025 Nissan Pathfinder
- 2026 Nissan Sentra
- 2025 Nissan Sentra
Questions people ask about Nissan safety
Is Nissan a safe brand?
Nissan has 9 current models in IIHS records, 8 with complete crash-test records. 2 earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and 1 earned a Top Safety Pick. The best current Nissan is the 2027 Nissan Murano at 95.4/100, #25 of 136 in our overall ranking. Safety varies more between models than between brands, so pick the model first.
What is the safest Nissan?
The safest current Nissan in our 2026 ranking is the 2027 Nissan Murano (midsize suvs), scoring 95.4/100 with no current IIHS award. It ranks #11 of 32 in its class.
Which Nissan models earned Top Safety Pick+ in 2026?
2 current Nissan models earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+: Nissan Sentra, Nissan Pathfinder. 1 more earned a Top Safety Pick: Nissan Kicks.
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