The Nissan Pathfinder, a popular choice for families, boasts impressive safety features. This article delves into its crashworthiness and crash avoidance ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), providing a detailed analysis of its performance in various tests.
IIHS Crashworthiness Tests: How the Pathfinder Performs
The IIHS rigorously assesses vehicle safety through a series of crash tests. The Pathfinder consistently earns top marks, demonstrating its robust structure and advanced safety technologies.
Small Overlap Front Test: Driver and Passenger Side
The small overlap front test simulates a collision with a narrow object, such as a tree or utility pole. The 2022-2025 Pathfinder receives a “Good” rating, the highest possible, for both driver and passenger-side small overlap protection. This indicates minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment and low risk of injury.
View of a vehicle after a crash test, showing deployed airbags and damage.
Specific measurements from the tests reveal minimal structural deformation and low injury measures for critical body regions. This excellent performance highlights the Pathfinder’s strong safety cage and effective restraint systems.
Moderate Overlap Front Test: Enhanced Rear Seat Safety
The moderate overlap front test, updated for 2024-2025 models built after November 2023, evaluates the Pathfinder’s ability to protect occupants in a more common type of frontal collision. The Pathfinder excels in this test, earning a “Good” overall rating. Notably, Nissan implemented improvements to the rear seat belts, enhancing protection for rear passengers.
Rear passenger dummy in a crash test, demonstrating potential for head injury.
While the overall rating is “Good,” rear passenger restraints received an “Acceptable” rating. This is due to the rear passenger dummy’s head approaching the front seatback, increasing the risk of head injuries. However, injury values for the head, neck, and chest remain low.
Side Impact Test: Strong Performance with Minor Pelvis Concerns
The side impact test simulates a T-bone collision, a common and often severe type of crash. The 2022-2025 Pathfinder achieves a “Good” overall rating in this test. The structure and safety cage receive an “Acceptable” rating, highlighting the vehicle’s ability to maintain occupant compartment integrity.
Vehicle immediately after a side impact crash test.
While most driver and rear passenger injury measures are “Good,” the driver’s pelvis protection receives a “Marginal” rating. This suggests a slightly elevated risk of pelvic injury in a severe side impact.
Other Safety Features: Headlights, Pedestrian Detection, and Child Seat Anchors
Beyond crash tests, the IIHS evaluates other crucial safety aspects. The Pathfinder’s LED reflector headlights earn a “Good” rating, providing excellent visibility. The standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection also receives a “Good” rating, effectively avoiding or mitigating collisions with pedestrians in various scenarios.
Vehicle after side impact, showing side airbags and damage to the interior.
Finally, the Pathfinder’s child seat anchors earn a “Good+” rating due to ease of use and extra LATCH positions, making it convenient to secure child seats properly.
Conclusion: The Nissan Pathfinder, a Safe Choice for Families
The Nissan Pathfinder consistently performs well in IIHS safety tests, demonstrating a commitment to occupant protection. Its strong performance in crashworthiness tests, coupled with excellent headlight ratings, pedestrian detection, and child seat anchor convenience, solidifies its position as a safe and reliable SUV for families.
