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Nissan Maxima

2009-13 models

SMALL OVERLAP FRONT TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Acceptable

Structure/safety cage	Injury measures				Restraints/dummy kinematics
Structure/safety cage	Head/neck	Chest	Hip/thigh	Lower leg/foot	Restraints/dummy kinematics

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Good Good Acceptable Marginal Poor Poor

Test details:

The Nissan Maxima was redesigned for the 2009 model year.

Structure — The driver space was not maintained well. Lower interior intrusion measured as much as 22 cm at the hinge pillar, and the instrument panel intruded 17-19 cm. The steering column was pushed back 7 cm toward the driver.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — The dummy’s movement was well controlled. The dummy’s head loaded the frontal airbag, which stayed in front of the dummy until rebound. The side curtain airbag deployed but does not have sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with forward side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Watch crash test footage for this vehicle on YouTube Tested model year and trim level only; see "Tested vehicle specifications" below

Left to right:

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.
The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was not maintained well.
The frontal and side curtain airbags worked reasonably well together to protect the head from injury in the crash test. Still, the curtain airbag should extend farther forward toward the A-pillar to protect the head from contact with forward side structure and outside objects if crash circumstances were to differ slightly.
Despite considerable intrusion into the driver footwell area, risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Additional features:

Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Electronic stability control
Antilock brakes

Tested vehicle specifications:

2012 Nissan Maxima 3.5 S 4-door
Class: Midsize moderately priced car
Weight: 3,523 lbs.
Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase: 109 in.
Length: 191 in.
Width: 73 in.
Engine: 3.5 L V6
EPA ratings: 19 mpg city | 26 mpg highway

See all test results for Nissan Maxima

Last updated: December 20, 2012