The 2021 Nissan Murano, part of the 2019-2024 model range, has undergone rigorous testing to ensure driver and passenger safety. This analysis focuses on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, providing a detailed breakdown of the Murano’s performance.
The Nissan Murano, redesigned in 2015, received further safety enhancements starting with the 2019 model year. These improvements included the addition of a front passenger knee airbag and redesigned airbags throughout the vehicle. Specifically, the driver knee airbag, passenger frontal airbag, and side curtain airbags were all newly engineered to offer superior occupant protection in both moderate overlap and small overlap frontal crashes.
The driver-side small overlap frontal ratings for the Nissan Murano are based on tests conducted by Nissan and evaluated by the IIHS. Due to the absence of structural modifications between models after 2019, the structural rating remains consistent with both a recent Nissan test and an earlier IIHS test performed on a 2015 model. This comprehensive testing approach provides a reliable assessment of the vehicle’s structural integrity and occupant safety.
The IIHS evaluation criteria for the driver-side small overlap frontal test covers several key areas, each contributing to the overall safety rating. The Murano achieved a “Good” rating, the highest possible, across all categories:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
This “Good” rating signifies that the 2021 Nissan Murano provides robust protection in a challenging small overlap frontal crash scenario. The structure of the vehicle held up well, and measurements taken from the crash test dummy indicate a low risk of significant injuries to the driver.
Detailed technical measurements from the crash tests further illustrate the Murano’s safety performance. These measurements quantify occupant compartment intrusion and potential driver injuries:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (Test ID: VTN1911) | Measurement (Test ID: CEN1515) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower occupant compartment | ||
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 8 | 13 |
| Footrest (cm) | 5 | 10 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 3 | 3 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 2 | 6 |
| Parking brake (cm) | 6 | 11 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 4 | 6 |
| Upper occupant compartment | ||
| Steering column | 1 | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 3 | 7 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 5 | 7 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 6 | 7 |
These intrusion measurements show the extent to which the vehicle structure deformed during the crash. Lower numbers indicate less intrusion into the occupant compartment, contributing to better safety. Notably, when comparing the 2019 test (VTN1911) to a 2015 test (CEN1515), there are improvements in key intrusion measurements, particularly in the lower hinge pillar and footrest areas.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (Test ID: VTN1911) |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 89 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 13 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.21 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 24 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.9 |
| Right | 0.4 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.74 |
| Right | 0.50 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 2.0 |
| Right | 0.3 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 42 |
| Right | 37 |
The driver injury measures provide insights into the potential for injuries to specific body regions. The low HIC-15 score for the head, along with no hard contact, suggests good head protection. Similarly, the neck, chest, femur, knee, and tibia measurements are all within safe limits, indicating a low risk of significant injuries in these areas.
In conclusion, the IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal crash test results for the 2021 Nissan Murano demonstrate a “Good” overall rating, highlighting its strong safety performance. The vehicle’s structure effectively protects occupants, and injury measures are low across the board. These findings reinforce the 2021 Nissan Murano as a safe choice for drivers and passengers seeking a secure SUV.
