Nissan’s trucks don’t rate nearly as well as its sedans and SUVs, but that didn’t stop the manufacturer from making the list of 15 Safest Car Brands for 2022.

Nissan has come a long way since it entered the market as Datsun. In the decades since, Nissan has made a name for itself with solid sedans, sturdy SUVs, tough trucks, and even the 565-hp twin-turbocharged V6 GT-R supercar that earned the nickname Godzilla. Not all Nissans are equally safe though, so if safety’s your top priority, it’s important to know which models to go for, and which ones you should avoid.

That’s why

Jerry

, the vehicle expert and

car insurance

comparison app, has compiled this complete guide to Nissan’s safety ratings. We’ve even let you know which trims will keep you the safest if you find yourself in an accident.

And before we wrap up, we'll even show you how to find the lowest

Nissan car insurance costs

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

Are Nissans safe in accidents?

Nissan is one of the top-rated manufacturers for safety and reliability. In fact, in a recent study, Nissan was named one of the

top 15 safest makes on the market by U.S. News

, tying with brands like

Honda

, VW, Audi, and

Toyota

What makes a Nissan safe?

Nissan’s combination of safety, innovation, and solid manufacturing practices create one of the safest brands on the market.

While Nissan builds some strong trucks, their commitment to safety really shines through in their sedans, almost all of which have earned top safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for multiple years.

The brand’s SUVs also do quite well in most collisions, especially the

Rogue

. While the trucks don’t rate as highly as the rest of Nissan’s lineup, they still rate higher than much of the competition.

A big part of what lends to a Nissan’s inherent safety, though, is its technology. Nissan’s suite of driver-assistance technologies, called Safety Shield® 360 includes:

Automated emergency braking

Forward-collision warning

Blind-spot monitoring

Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 features are standard on the Rogue,

Leaf

, and

Altima

and are available to be added on any Nissan model.

MORE:

6 cruise control safety tips you should never ignore

The two safety rating systems you need to know

Lots of car websites and consumer-focused groups offer individual safety ratings on vehicles, but the two most important and reliable ratings come from the NHTSA and IIHS. The NHTSA is a federal agency, while the IIHS is an independent non-profit—and both conduct a variety of tests to evaluate the safety of motor vehicles in the U.S.

NHTSA safety ratings

use a five-star system that was established in 1993. Each vehicle tested receives an overall score based on a combination of individual ratings in three major tests:

Frontal crash

Side crash

Rollover

IIHS rates vehicles on a series of

six tests

, awarding a rating of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor for each test. In addition to the three tests run by the NHTSA, the IIHS evaluates LATCH car seat attachments, evaluates the efficacy of a vehicle’s headlights, and includes not only crashworthiness but also collision mitigation in their ratings.

Which Nissan has the highest safety ratings?

If you’re going to get into an accident in a Nissan, your safest bet is the

Nissan Maxima

. The model earned near-perfect marks on all aspects of both the NHTSA and IIHS crash tests, and it was named a Top Safety Pick+ choice by IIHS.

The Maxima isn’t your only safe bet when it comes to Nissan though. The Altima, Murano, Leaf, and Rogue were all named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, and the Sentra is a Top Safety Pick, as well.

MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings

2022 Nissan Maxima safety ratings

Starting price: $38,865

IIHS safety rating: Good (Top Safety Pick+)

NHTSA safety rating: 5 stars overall

Nissan gives full-size sedan drivers something special with the Maxima. Not only does it offer the comfortable drive and spacious interior that drivers expect, but it’s also surprisingly fun to drive and sports a bold, sharply-styled exterior uncommon in its segment. Nissan’s host of standard driver-assist features and near-perfect ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA also make this the safest Nissan around.

2022 Nissan Altima safety ratings

Starting price: $25,775

IIHS safety rating: Good (Top Safety Pick+)

NHTSA safety rating: 5 stars overall, 4 stars for frontal crash

Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 is standard on all new Altimas, but there’s more to this midsize sedan than just an impeccably safe ride—the Altima also offers adroit handling, excellent fuel efficiency, and superior interior comforts.

MORE:

2020 Nissan Altima engine oil capacity

2022 Nissan Murano safety ratings

Starting price: $34,435

IIHS safety rating: Good overall (Top Safety Pick+)

NHTSA safety rating: 5 stars overall, 4 for rollover

One of Nissan’s top picks for safe crossovers, the midsize

Murano

offers more in the way of safety than style or snappy driving. That said, its looks are certainly unique, but the drive is anything but exciting.

2022 Nissan Leaf safety ratings

Starting price: $28,425

IIHS safety rating: Good (Top Safety Pick+)

NHTSA safety rating: 5 stars overall, 4 stars for front passenger side and rollover

The Leaf, Nissan’s contribution to the EV market, is an economical option that includes the full Safety Shield 360 standard. But with a relatively limited range of only 149 miles per charge at the base model, drivers would be better served to go for more expensive, and equally safe options like the

Chevy Bolt

Kia Niro

MORE:

14 safe driving tips

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

2022 Nissan Rogue safety ratings

Starting price:$28,375

IIHS safety rating: Good (Top Safety Pick+)

NHTSA safety rating: 4 stars

Another addition to Nissan’s options for safe crossovers is the Nissan Rogue. One of only three Nissans that include the full suite of Safety Shield 360 options standard, the Rogue is a great pick for those looking for safety, size, and savings.

MORE:

Is a Nissan hybrid worth it?

2022 Nissan Sentra safety ratings

Starting price:$20,835

IIHS safety rating: Good (Top Safety Pick)

NHTSA safety rating: 5 stars (3 for front passenger side)

From the full-size Maxima to the midsize Altima, now we have the compact

Sentra

, another Top Safety Pick for the IIHS. The only thing that kept the Sentra off the Top Safety Pick+ list was its headlights, which received only an acceptable rating.

2022 Nissan Pathfinder safety ratings

Starting price:$35,865

IIHS safety rating: Good overall

NHTSA safety rating: 5 stars (2020 review) (4 stars for front driver side and rollover)

The all-new

Nissan Pathfinder

sports a rugged new look, but it doesn’t quite make it onto any top lists for safety. That doesn’t mean it’s not still an excellent option for those looking for a safe mid-size SUV.

MORE: Nissan Pathfinder S towing capacity

2022 Nissan Kicks safety ratings

Starting price: $21,215

IIHS safety rating: Good overall

NHTSA safety rating: 4 stars

The

Nissan Kicks

is a great option for those in need of an SUV on a shoestring budget. It may not be high on style, but it includes the majority of Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 options standard, so completing the package is well within most budgets.

2022 Nissan Titan safety ratings

Starting price:$40,505

IIHS safety rating: Good

NHTSA safety rating: 4 stars (3 for front passenger side)

Nissan isn’t exactly known for its trucks, but the

Titan

is a good option if you’re more interested in safety features than hauling or towing capacity. The Titan and

Titan XD

both earn high marks from both the NHTSA and the IIHS.

2022 Nissan Versa safety ratings

Starting price:$16,405

IIHS safety rating: Acceptable overall

NHTSA safety rating: 5 stars (4 overall front and rollover)

The

Nissan Versa

is a solidly average addition to the manufacturer’s lineup—it offers an average driving experience and average safety ratings across the board. There are safer and more fun options on the market, but for the price, the Versa is a great option for those looking to get from point A to point B without a lot of fuss.

2022 Nissan Frontier safety ratings

Starting price: $29,915

IIHS safety rating: Moderate overall

NHTSA safety rating: Not rated

Nissan’s offering for the midsize pickup segment—the

Frontier

—doesn’t do much to wow buyers when it comes to safety. Though it earned a Moderate overall score, ratings from the front driver’s side crash test were Poor for the driver’s left leg/foot and only Moderate for the right.

MORE:

Nissan paint codes

2022 Nissan Armada safety ratings

Starting price: $50,745

IIHS safety rating: Not rated

NHTSA safety rating: 4 stars

For large SUVs, the

Nissan Armada

earns surprisingly lackluster safety ratings. Not only did it only earn 4 stars overall from the NHTSA (the redesigned Armada has yet to be tested by the IIHS), but that rating also includes a shoddy 3 stars for rollover safety and only 2 stars in the front driver-side crash test.

MORE:

Highway driving tips for safe and smooth travel

2022 Nissan GT-R safety ratings

Starting price:$115,000

IIHS safety rating: Not rated

NHTSA safety rating: Not rated

It’s pretty rare to find crash-test safety ratings for a supercar. That’s why it’s not surprising that the GT-R isn’t rated on either of the major safety websites. The GT-R does include a host of both hardware and electric safety features that, when properly deployed, should keep drivers and passengers quite safe.

MORE:

What is a safe driver discount?

How you can save money on Nissan insurance

Overall, Nissans are some of the safest vehicles on the road. That should not only save you anxiety but also money when it comes to your car insurance premiums.

To make sure you’ve got the best deal, download

Jerry

, the

car insurance

expert and

trusted comparison tool

. We’ll compare your policy against quotes from over 50 of our insurance partners to offer you the best coverage at the best price in under 2 minutes.

Just make your selection, and we’ll walk you through setting up your new policy and even help you cancel your old one. The best part? The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on car insurance!

“
Jerry
is my new best friend. It was a smooth transaction, and I got the insurance I need to finally purchase my new car!” —JP C.

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry