2023 Nissan Frontier

small pickup / Crew cab pickup

2023 Nissan Frontier Crew cab pickup
2022 Nissan Frontier shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)
Standard system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

Seat belt reminders

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Nissan Frontier SV Crew Cab 2wd

The Nissan Frontier was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Moderate overlap front ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Frontier crew cab conducted by Nissan.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF2302
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 8
Left (cm) 12
Center (cm) 14
Right (cm) 16
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) -1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 2
Rearward (cm) -1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF2302
Head
HIC-15 230
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 16
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.6
Femur force - right (kN) 1.2
Knee displacement - left (mm) 2
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.35
Maximum tibia index - right 0.41
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 3.0
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 3.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 121
Right 102

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Nissan Frontier S Crew Cab 4wd

The Nissan Frontier was redesigned for the 2022 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head came close to contacting the front seatback, which increases the risk of head injuries.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt remained in the ideal position on the pelvis.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEF2218
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 8
Left (cm) 12
Center (cm) 16
Right (cm) 20
Brake pedal (cm) 4
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 2
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 3
Rearward (cm) -1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) -1

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF2218
Head
HIC-15 371
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 19
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28
Femur (kN)
Left 1.7
Right 0.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 3
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.39
Right 0.72
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.7
Right 3.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 99
Right 89

Rear passenger injury measures

Test ID CEF2218
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Peak gs at hard contact 61
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.7
Compression (kN) 1.3
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Chest
Chest index 37
Shoulder belt tension (kN) 4.4
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression 1.4
Right femur compression 1.3

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Nissan Frontier S Crew Cab 4wd

The Nissan Frontier was redesigned for the 2022 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection
The dummy's head contacted the seat belt D-ring and C-pillar hard, through the side curtain airbag. The head protection is inadequate.

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

The dummy's head contacted the seat belt D-ring and C-pillar through the side curtain airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2228
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -20.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2228
Head
HIC-15 64
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 20
Lateral force (kN) 0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 25
Average deflection (mm) 20
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.20
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.19
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 2.8

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2228
Head
HIC-15 427
Peak gs at hard contact 88
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Compression (kN) 0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 46
Lateral force (kN) 2.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 30
Average deflection (mm) 18
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.96
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.33
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.8

About the side crash test

Headlights

Ratings are given for 4 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • SV trim equipped with Premium package
  • SV trim equipped with Midnight Edition package
  • Pro-X trim equipped with Technology package
  • Pro-4X trim equipped with Technology package
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • SV trim equipped with Premium package
  • SV trim equipped with Midnight Edition package
  • Pro-X trim equipped with Technology package
  • Pro-4X trim equipped with Technology package
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 90.4 m 12.5%
Straightaway left edge 61.7 m 12.5%
250m radius right curve, right edge 68.9 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 57.3 m 54.7%
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 57.9 m 59.4%
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 162.5 m
Straightaway left edge 161.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 88.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 90.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 67.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 69.3 m

Trim level(s)

  • Pro-X trim
  • Pro-4X trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Pro-X trim
  • Pro-4X trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2023-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 90.4 m 12.5%
Straightaway left edge 61.7 m 12.5%
250m radius right curve, right edge 68.9 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 57.3 m 54.7%
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 57.9 m 59.4%
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 162.5 m
Straightaway left edge 161.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 88.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 90.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 67.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 69.3 m

Trim level(s)

  • S trim equipped with Technology package
  • SV trim equipped with Technology package
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • S trim equipped with Technology package
  • SV trim equipped with Technology package
Low-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 75.0 m None
Straightaway left edge 40.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 42.2 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 39.9 m 1.3%
150m radius right curve, right edge 39.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 37.5 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 85.8 m
Straightaway left edge 56.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 41.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 47.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 36.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 41.8 m

Trim level(s)

  • S trim
  • SV trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • S trim
  • SV trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 75.0 m None
Straightaway left edge 40.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 42.2 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 39.9 m 1.3%
150m radius right curve, right edge 39.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 37.5 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 85.8 m
Straightaway left edge 56.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 41.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 47.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 36.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 41.8 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Protection

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2022-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2022-24 models

Superior
Superior

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

Night

System details

  • standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Includes high-beam assist credit

This rating applies to 2022-24 models of the following trim lines: S trim equipped with Technology package, SV trim equipped with Technology package
Advanced
Advanced

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.6 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 27 mph and a warning was issued 1.6 seconds before impact.

Night

System details

  • standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2022-24 models of the following trim lines: S trim, SV trim
Advanced
Advanced

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.6 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 27 mph and a warning was issued 1.6 seconds before impact.

About pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2022-23 models

Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
DurationLong enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
None
Technical measurements for this test
Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h 50 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h 67 dB
Difference between background and signal 17.0 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h 52 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h 65 dB
Difference between background and signal 13.0 dB
Dominant audio frequency 2000 Hz

About the seat belt reminder evaluation