Nissan Frontier

2005-08 models

FRONTAL OFFSET TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Good

Structure/safety cage Injury measures Restraints/dummy kinematics
Head/neck Chest Leg/foot, left Leg/foot, right
Good Good Good Marginal Acceptable Good

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

Test details:

The Nissan Frontier was redesigned for the 2005 model year and is significantly larger and heavier than previous models. Two tests of the Frontier were conducted, one by the Institute of a 2wd King Cab and the other by Nissan of a 2wd Crew Cab as part of frontal crash test verification. The overall rating of Good is based on review of both tests, which independently result in overall ratings of Good. The ratings and vehicle specifications based on Nissan's test are shown below because the 2wd Crew Cab is similar to the configuration of other pickups tested more recently.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled in both tests. After the dummy moved forward into the airbag, it rebounded into the seat without its head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury.

Injury measures — In each test, measures taken from the head, neck, and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. In the test conducted by Nissan, forces on the left knee, right tibia, and right foot indicate that left knee and right lower leg and foot injuries would be possible. (In the Institute's test, forces on the left knee and both tibias indicate that knee and lower leg injuries would be possible.)

Left to right:

  • Action shot taken during the Institute's frontal offset crash test. Larger photo
  • The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well (Institute test vehicle shown). Larger photo
  • Dummy movement was well controlled in both tests. During rebound, the dummy's head hit only the head restraint. Larger photo
  • In both tests, forces on the left knee and the right lower leg were high enough to indicate the possibility of injuries (Institute test shown). Larger photo

Additional features:

  • Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags with front seat-mounted torso airbags (optional)
  • Rollover sensor: designed to deploy the side curtain airbags, if equipped, in the event of an impending rollover
  • Electronic stability control (optional on 4-wheel-drive models only)
  • Antilock brakes

Tested vehicle specifications:

  • 2008 Nissan Frontier SE (2wd Crew Cab)
  • Class: Small pickup
  • Weight: 4,222 lbs.
  • Side airbags: none
  • Wheelbase: 126 in.
  • Length: 206 in.
  • Width: 73 in.
  • Engine: 4.0 L V6
  • EPA ratings: 15 mpg city | 20 mpg highway

See all test results for Nissan Frontier

Last updated: July 24, 2008

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