The Nissan Murano is a popular SUV known for its stylish design and comfortable ride. But when it comes to safety, how well does it really hold up? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) puts vehicles through a series of rigorous tests to evaluate their crashworthiness and safety features. Understanding these IIHS safety ratings can help you make an informed decision about whether the Murano is the right vehicle for you and your family. Let's dive into the details of the Nissan Murano's IIHS performance, exploring each test and what the results mean.

Understanding IIHS Safety Ratings

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries on our roads. They conduct a variety of crash tests and evaluations to assess the safety of vehicles. The IIHS ratings are widely respected and used by consumers, automakers, and insurance companies alike. It's crucial to understand what these ratings mean so you can make informed decisions about vehicle safety.

Key IIHS Tests and Ratings

The IIHS conducts several crash tests to evaluate different aspects of a vehicle's safety performance. Here's a breakdown of the key tests and their rating scales:

• Moderate Overlap Front Test: This test simulates a frontal collision where the vehicle hits a barrier with 40% of its width. It assesses the protection offered to the driver and front passenger.
• Small Overlap Front Test: This test is more challenging, involving a frontal collision with only 25% of the vehicle's width hitting a barrier. It evaluates how well the vehicle's structure protects occupants in a severe crash.
• Side Impact Test: This test simulates a side impact collision with a striking barrier. It assesses the protection offered to the driver in a side impact scenario.
• Roof Strength Test: This test measures the strength of the vehicle's roof in a rollover crash. A strong roof can help prevent serious injuries in such accidents.
• Head Restraints & Seats Test: This test evaluates the ability of the head restraints and seats to protect against neck injuries in rear-end collisions.

For each of these tests, the IIHS assigns one of four ratings:

• Good: The highest rating, indicating excellent performance in the test.
• Acceptable: Indicates an adequate level of protection.
• Marginal: Indicates a substandard level of protection.
• Poor: The lowest rating, indicating inadequate protection.

In addition to crashworthiness evaluations, the IIHS also assesses crash avoidance and mitigation features, such as automatic emergency braking systems and headlights. These features are rated as:

• Superior: For vehicles with advanced and effective crash avoidance systems.
• Advanced: For vehicles with good crash avoidance systems.
• Basic: For vehicles with minimal crash avoidance systems.
• Poor: For vehicles with ineffective or unavailable crash avoidance systems.

How IIHS Ratings Influence Car Choices

Understanding the IIHS ratings is essential when choosing a vehicle. Safety should be a top priority for all drivers, and the IIHS provides valuable information to help consumers make informed decisions. A vehicle with good IIHS ratings is more likely to protect its occupants in the event of a crash, reducing the risk of serious injuries or fatalities. Moreover, vehicles with superior crash avoidance systems can help prevent accidents from happening in the first place.

Nissan Murano's Performance in IIHS Safety Tests

So, how does the Nissan Murano fare in these crucial IIHS safety tests? Let's break down the results from recent model years to give you a clear picture of its safety performance.

Crashworthiness Evaluations

The Nissan Murano has generally performed well in IIHS crashworthiness tests. Here's a summary of its performance in key areas:

• Moderate Overlap Front Test: The Murano typically earns a Good rating in this test, indicating that it provides excellent protection to the driver and front passenger in a moderate frontal collision.
• Small Overlap Front Test: In the more challenging small overlap front test, the Murano's performance has varied. Some model years have earned Acceptable ratings, while others have achieved Good. This highlights the importance of checking the specific model year when evaluating safety.
• Side Impact Test: The Murano consistently earns Good ratings in the side impact test, demonstrating its ability to protect occupants in side collisions.
• Roof Strength Test: The Murano's roof strength is also rated Good, indicating that it can withstand significant force in a rollover crash.
• Head Restraints & Seats Test: The Murano's head restraints and seats generally receive Good ratings, providing good protection against neck injuries in rear-end collisions.

Overall, the Nissan Murano demonstrates solid crashworthiness, with Good ratings in most categories. However, the varying performance in the small overlap front test is worth noting.

Crash Avoidance & Mitigation

In addition to crashworthiness, the IIHS evaluates crash avoidance and mitigation features, such as automatic emergency braking and headlights. Here's how the Nissan Murano performs in these areas:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): The Nissan Murano comes standard with an automatic emergency braking system. The IIHS has rated this system as Superior in some model years, indicating that it can effectively prevent or mitigate frontal collisions. However, the effectiveness of AEB systems can vary depending on the specific system and the test conditions.
• Headlights: Headlight performance is another critical safety factor. The IIHS evaluates headlight effectiveness based on factors such as visibility and glare. The Nissan Murano's headlight ratings have varied, with some model years earning Acceptable or Good ratings, while others receive Poor ratings. This variability underscores the importance of checking the specific model year and trim level, as headlight performance can differ significantly.

Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ Awards

The IIHS gives out two prestigious awards each year: Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+. These awards recognize vehicles that demonstrate exceptional safety performance. To earn a Top Safety Pick award, a vehicle must earn Good ratings in the moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraint tests. It must also have an Advanced or Superior rating for available front crash prevention systems and Acceptable or Good headlight ratings.

To qualify for the Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must meet all the criteria for Top Safety Pick and earn Good headlight ratings across all trim levels. The Nissan Murano has earned both Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards in recent years, depending on the model year and equipment. These awards reflect the Murano's commitment to safety and its ability to protect occupants in a variety of crash scenarios.

Comparing Murano's Safety to Other SUVs

When evaluating the Nissan Murano's safety, it's helpful to compare its IIHS ratings to those of other SUVs in its class. This can provide valuable context and help you determine whether the Murano offers comparable or superior safety performance.

Key Competitors and Their Ratings

Here are a few of the Nissan Murano's main competitors and a brief overview of their IIHS safety ratings:

• Toyota Venza: The Toyota Venza has consistently earned Top Safety Pick+ awards from the IIHS. It boasts Good ratings in all crashworthiness tests and Superior ratings for its standard front crash prevention system. The Venza's headlights also receive Good ratings across all trim levels.
• Hyundai Santa Fe: The Hyundai Santa Fe is another strong contender in the SUV segment. It has earned Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards in recent years, depending on the model year and equipment. The Santa Fe performs well in crash tests and offers advanced safety features.
• Ford Edge: The Ford Edge has also performed well in IIHS testing, earning Top Safety Pick awards. It achieves Good ratings in most crashworthiness tests and offers available front crash prevention systems.

How the Murano Stacks Up

Overall, the Nissan Murano offers competitive safety performance compared to other SUVs in its class. While some competitors, like the Toyota Venza, have consistently earned Top Safety Pick+ awards, the Murano has also achieved these accolades in certain model years. The Murano's strong crashworthiness and available advanced safety features make it a solid choice for safety-conscious buyers.

Tips for Evaluating Used Murano Safety

If you're considering purchasing a used Nissan Murano, it's essential to thoroughly evaluate its safety. IIHS ratings can vary from year to year, so it's crucial to check the specific model year you're interested in. Here are some tips for evaluating the safety of a used Murano:

Check Specific Model Year Ratings

The IIHS website provides detailed safety ratings for vehicles dating back several years. Use the website's search tool to find the ratings for the specific model year you're considering. Pay attention to any changes in ratings over time, as this can indicate design improvements or safety enhancements.

Consider Trim Levels and Options

Safety features can vary depending on the trim level and optional equipment. For example, some trim levels may come standard with advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, while others may require these features as optional upgrades. Be sure to check the features included in the specific vehicle you're considering.

Review Accident History

Obtain a vehicle history report from a reputable provider like Carfax or AutoCheck. This report can reveal whether the vehicle has been involved in any accidents or suffered significant damage. While a clean accident history doesn't guarantee safety, it can provide peace of mind.

Inspect the Vehicle Thoroughly

Before purchasing a used Murano, have it inspected by a qualified mechanic. The mechanic can check for any signs of structural damage or hidden repairs that could compromise safety. They can also ensure that all safety systems, such as airbags and seatbelts, are functioning properly.

Conclusion

The Nissan Murano is a stylish and comfortable SUV that offers solid safety performance. It has generally performed well in IIHS crash tests, earning Good ratings in most categories. The Murano also offers available advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, which can help prevent accidents. When evaluating the Nissan Murano's safety, it's essential to consider the specific model year, trim level, and optional equipment. By checking IIHS ratings and reviewing vehicle history, you can make an informed decision about whether the Murano is the right safe vehicle for you and your family. Prioritizing safety is always a wise choice, and the Nissan Murano provides a strong combination of style, comfort, and protection.