Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2017 Nissan Altima

midsize car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights

2017 Nissan Altima 4-door sedan

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
Optional 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 2016-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4-door

The Nissan Altima was redesigned for the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2016 models, the front-end structure was strengthened and the junction of the door sill, hinge pillar, and footwell was reinforced 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 CEN1542
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Footrest (cm) 6
Left toepan (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 1
Parking brake (cm) 11
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 3
Lower instrument panel (cm) 3

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1542
Head
HIC-15 98
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 19
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.64
Right 0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.7
Right 0.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 90
Right 46

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2016-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4-door

The Nissan Altima was redesigned for the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2016 models, the front-end structure was strengthened and the junction of the door sill, hinge pillar, and footwell was reinforced 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 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.

Forces on the right lower leg were high enough to indicate a significant risk of injury.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID CEP1701
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 18
Footrest (cm) 13
Right toepan (cm) 7
Center toepan (cm) 5
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 5
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Upper dash (cm) 7
Right lower dash (cm) 9

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CEP1701
Head
HIC-15 35
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm) 21
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Femur (kN)
Left 0.7
Right 1.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.52
Right 1.18
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.9
Right 3.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 58
Right 90

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEP1701
Head
HIC-15 33
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.14
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.24
Right 0.28
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.6
Right 0.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 39
Right 27

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2013-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4-door

The Nissan Altima was redesigned for the 2013 model year. Two moderate overlap frontal tests of the Altima were conducted, one by the Institute and the other by Nissan. Ratings are based on both tests.

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

Action shot taken during the Institute's moderate overlap frontal crash test.

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 car shown).

Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit only the head restraint in each test, as indicated by smeared greasepaint in the Institute's test.

Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal in both tests, and all leg and foot injury measures were low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1206 CEF1208
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 5 6
Left (cm) 7 8
Center (cm) 7 7
Right (cm) 11 9
Brake pedal (cm) 10 12
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1 2
Right (cm) 3 3
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -7 -8
Rearward (cm) -1 -1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1206 CEF1208
Head
HIC-15 158 148
Peak gs at hard contact no contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 15 19
Maximum Nij 0.24 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28 29
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.1 0.2
Femur force - right (kN) 0.2 0.4
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.28 0.26
Maximum tibia index - right 0.38 0.52
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 0.9 1.3
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.3 1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 42 53
Right 68 65

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2013-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV 4-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Nissan Altima was redesigned for the 2013 model year. 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 VTS1209
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -12.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1209
Head HIC-15 292
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 29
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 32
Average deflection (mm) 30
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.60
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.52
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.4
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.6
Combined force (kN) 3.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.3
L-M moment (Nm) 58
A-P moment (Nm) 204

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1209
Head HIC-15 159
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 37
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 39
Average deflection (mm) 29
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.40
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.71
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.4
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.5
Combined force (kN) 1.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.4
L-M moment (Nm) 28
A-P moment (Nm) 160

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2013-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,115 lbs
Peak force16,485 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.29

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power cloth seats

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power cloth seats
Geometry
Backset (mm) 2
Distance below top of head (mm) 38
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 13.1
Head contact time (ms) 49
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 266

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

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5 SR trim equipped with LED appearance package; built after October 2016
  • 2.5 SL trim equipped with Technology package; built after October 2016
  • 3.5 SR trim; built after October 2016
  • 3.5 SL trim; built after October 2016
  • SR Midnight Edition trim; built after October 2016
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 the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves, and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some 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 both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 2.5 SR trim equipped with LED appearance package
  • 2.5 SL trim equipped with Technology package
  • 3.5 SR trim
  • 3.5 SL trim
  • SR Midnight Edition 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 built after October 2016
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 111.4 m 1.4%
Straightaway left edge 52.1 m 1.4%
250m radius right curve, right edge 66.4 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 52.7 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 53.0 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 50.8 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 160.8 m
Straightaway left edge 125.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 70.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 62.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 55.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 54.2 m

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5 trim
  • 2.5S trim
  • 2.5 SR trim
  • 2.5 SV trim
  • 2.5 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

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 2.5 trim
  • 2.5S trim
  • 2.5 SR trim
  • 2.5 SV trim
  • 2.5 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 2016-18 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 81.0 m None
Straightaway left edge 23.4 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 43.1 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 31.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 34.2 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 27.3 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 141.6 m
Straightaway left edge 108.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 51.7 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 47.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 40.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 36.8 m

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5 SR trim equipped with LED Appearance package; built before November 2016
  • 2.5 SL trim equipped with Technology package; built before November 2016
  • 3.5 SR trim; built before November 2016
  • 3.5 SL trim; built before November 2016
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 the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves, and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some 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 both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 2.5 SR trim equipped with LED Appearance package
  • 2.5 SL trim equipped with Technology package
  • 3.5 SR trim
  • 3.5 SL trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2016-17 models built before November 2016
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 104.7 m 3.7%
Straightaway left edge 51.8 m 3.7%
250m radius right curve, right edge 65.1 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 49.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 53.2 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 153.6 m
Straightaway left edge 113.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 71.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 59.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 55.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 52.3 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Optional Forward Emergency Braking

Package name

  • Optional Technology Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2016-17 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • 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 10 mph.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2016-18 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimS
Seat type cloth

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

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimS
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
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
too deep in seat
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
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 20
Clearance angle (degrees) 85
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 30
Clearance angle (degrees) 76
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
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 Rear deck
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) 2-4
Force (lbs) 43
Clearance angle (degrees) 73
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 19
Clearance angle (degrees) 79
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
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

Rating applies to 2016-18 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSL
Seat type leather

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

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSL
Seat type leather
1 2 3
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
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
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 26
Clearance angle (degrees) 82
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 35
Clearance angle (degrees) 83
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
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 Rear deck
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) 4-6
Force (lbs) 37
Clearance angle (degrees) 70
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 25
Clearance angle (degrees) 79
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
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

About the child seat anchor evaluation