Brand hub · IIHS data updated 2026-09-16
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 2026 Nissan Murano, scoring 95.4/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, #25 of 136 in our overall ranking. Nissan has 9 current models in IIHS records, 9 with complete crash-test results; 3 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 83.2/100, covering 87.1% of its 464,761 reported U.S. sales in January–June 2026. Its TSP+ sales-mix proxy is 34.3%. Ranges reflect unpublished variant splits, not statistical confidence intervals.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 | 2026 Nissan Sentra |
| Pathfinder | 64,071 13.8% | 91.7 | All mapped variants | 2026 Nissan Pathfinder |
| Kicks | 55,768 12.0% | 75.7 | No current TSP+ | 2026 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 | All mapped variants | 2026 Nissan Murano |
| Versa | 14,857 3.2% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| Armada | 10,005 2.2% | 92.4 | No current TSP+ | 2026 Nissan Armada |
| 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 | 2026 Nissan Murano | Midsize SUVs | 11 of 32 | TSP+ | ~$41,670 | 95.4 |
| 2 | 2026 Nissan Armada | Large SUVs | 1 of 3 | TSP | ~$58,840 | 92.4 |
| 3 | 2026 Nissan Sentra | Small cars | 2 of 16 | 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 16 | No award | ~$29,990 | 88.1 |
| 6 | 2026 Nissan Rogue | Small SUVs | 12 of 28 | No award | ~$29,090 | 87.7 |
| 7 | 2026 Nissan Frontier | Small pickups | 2 of 7 | No award | ~$33,550 | 79.5 |
| 8 | 2026 Nissan Kicks | Small SUVs | 20 of 28 | No award | ~$22,730 | 75.7 |
| 9 | 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.
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.
Questions people ask about Nissan safety
Is Nissan a safe brand?
Nissan has 9 current models in IIHS records, 9 with complete crash-test records. 3 earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and 1 earned a Top Safety Pick. The best current Nissan is the 2026 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 2026 Nissan Murano (midsize suvs), scoring 95.4/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. It ranks #11 of 32 in its class.
Which Nissan models earned Top Safety Pick+ in 2026?
3 current Nissan models earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+: Nissan Murano, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Pathfinder. 1 more earned a Top Safety Pick: Nissan Armada.
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