2018 Nissan Pathfinder

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

2018 Nissan Pathfinder 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

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

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection

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.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2015-20 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4-door 4wd

The Nissan Pathfinder was redesigned for the 2013 model year, and the Infiniti JX35, a luxury version of the Pathfinder, was introduced in the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2014 models, the JX35 was renamed the QX60. Beginning with 2015 models of both the Pathfinder and QX60, the front-end structure was modified to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side 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 maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1447
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 14
Footrest (cm) 9
Left toepan (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 5
Parking brake (cm) 12
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 3
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 7
Upper dash (cm) 7
Lower instrument panel (cm) 10

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1447
Head
HIC-15 39
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 7
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 15
Femur (kN)
Left 2.3
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 5
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.52
Right 0.37
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.8
Right 0.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 41
Right 27

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2015-20 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Nissan Pathfinder S 4-door 4wd

The Nissan Pathfinder was redesigned for the 2013 model year, and the Infiniti JX35, a luxury version of the Pathfinder, was introduced in the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2014 models, the JX35 was renamed the QX60. Beginning with 2015 models of both the Pathfinder and QX60, the front-end structure was modified to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger’s survival space was not maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the passenger dummy’s head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

Despite intrusion of the door hinge pillar and dashboard, risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID CEP1812
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 25
Footrest (cm) 18
Right toepan (cm) 12
Center toepan (cm) 4
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 10
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 21
Upper dash (cm) 15
Right lower dash (cm) 13

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CEP1812
Head
HIC-15 33
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 12
Femur (kN)
Left 1.7
Right 5.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 6
Right 6
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 3
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.55
Right 0.60
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.3
Right 2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 53
Right 38

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEP1812
Head
HIC-15 34
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 7
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Femur (kN)
Left 0.0
Right 0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.16
Right 0.14
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 21
Right 27

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2013-20 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4-door 4wd

The Nissan Pathfinder was redesigned for the 2013 model year, and the Infiniti JX35, a luxury version of the Pathfinder, was introduced in the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2014 models, the JX35 was renamed the QX60.

Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on two tests conducted by Nissan. The first test was conducted on a 2013 model Pathfinder and the second test on a 2014 model Pathfinder. Ratings apply to all Pathfinders beginning with the 2013 model year, the JX for the 2013 model year, and all QX models beginning with 2014.

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 VTF1211 VTF1314
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 6 7
Left (cm) 12 12
Center (cm) 9 9
Right (cm) 7 9
Brake pedal (cm) 16 2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 3 2
Right (cm) 3 4
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 0 0
Rearward (cm) 2 3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 1 1

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1211 VTF1314
Head
HIC-15 293 124
Peak gs at hard contact 22 no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.5 1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm) 33 14
Maximum Nij 0.30 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 41 35
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 3.0 0.2
Femur force - right (kN) 0.6 0.8
Knee displacement - left (mm) 3 2
Knee displacement - right (mm) 3 2
Maximum tibia index - left 0.50 0.48
Maximum tibia index - right 0.40 0.53
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.5 1.9
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.4 1.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 122 104
Right 50 68

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2014-20 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4-door 4wd with standard head curtain airbags for all three rows of seats and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Nissan Pathfinder was redesigned for the 2013 model year, and the Infiniti JX35, a luxury version of the Pathfinder, was introduced in the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2014 models, the JX35 was renamed the QX60, and both the Pathfinder and QX60 received side curtain airbag and rear door structural modifications to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Nissan.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1309
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -10.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1309
Head HIC-15 278
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.4
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 30
Lateral force (kN) 1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 32
Average deflection (mm) 26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.90
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.34
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 2.5
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.2
Combined force (kN) 4.5
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.1
L-M moment (Nm) 135
A-P moment (Nm) 24

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1309
Head HIC-15 63
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 23
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 23
Average deflection (mm) 19
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.80
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.25
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.9
Acetabulum force (kN) 0.7
Combined force (kN) 1.4
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.3
L-M moment (Nm) 66
A-P moment (Nm) 48

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2015-20 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight4,431 lbs
Peak force20,719 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.68

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 7
Distance below top of head (mm) 10
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 11.1
Head contact time (ms) 61
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 407

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Platinum trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
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 good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

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 on the gradual right and gradual left curves and fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Platinum trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-18 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 116.3 m 32.6%
Straightaway left edge 61.2 m 32.6%
250m radius right curve, right edge 68.5 m 19.2%
250m radius left curve, left edge 58.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 55.2 m 41.3%
150m radius left curve, left edge 52.4 m 4.2%
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 200.5 m
Straightaway left edge 163.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 79.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 76.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 58.0 m

Trim level(s)

  • S trim
  • SV trim
  • SL trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
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 Excessive glare

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

The low beams created excessive glare.

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • S trim
  • SV trim
  • SL trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-20 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 98.8 m 78.1%
Straightaway left edge 46.4 m 78.1%
250m radius right curve, right edge 55.6 m 122.5%
250m radius left curve, left edge 42.2 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 43.7 m 216.1%
150m radius left curve, left edge 36.5 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 156.7 m
Straightaway left edge 124.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 65.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 61.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 49.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.4 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Forward Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2018-19 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, impact speed was reduced by 14 mph.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-20 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimS
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 2 additional seating positions with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimS
Seat type cloth
1 2 3 6 4
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
4
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 16
Clearance angle (degrees) 80
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 16
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 20
Clearance angle (degrees) 84
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 13
Clearance angle (degrees) 88
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 33

4

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation