Top Safety Pick +

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use	+

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning
Optional lane departure prevention
Standard rear automatic braking

Key

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Nissan Pathfinder S 4-door 4wd

The Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 were redesigned for the 2022 model year after a one-year absence from the market. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Pathfinder conducted by Nissan.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2111
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	8
Footrest (cm)	6
Left toepan (cm)	2
Brake pedal (cm)	4
Parking brake (cm)	0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	8
Upper dash (cm)	7
Lower instrument panel (cm)	6

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2111
Head
HIC-15	109
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	12
Maximum Nij	0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	0.7
Right	0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.54
Right	0.36
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.8
Right	0.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	38
Right	46

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Nissan Pathfinder S 4-door 4wd

The Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 were redesigned for the 2022 model year after a one-year absence from the market. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Pathfinder conducted by Nissan.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side 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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2114
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	12
Footrest (cm)	9
Right toepan (cm)	5
Center toepan (cm)	4
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	8
Upper dash (cm)	6
Right lower dash (cm)	4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2114
Head
HIC-15	95
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	13
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	19
Femur (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.28
Right	0.39
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.3
Right	1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	29
Right	67

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2114
Head
HIC-15	27
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	12
Maximum Nij	0.15
Chest maximum compression (mm)	27
Femur (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.26
Right	0.19
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	no data
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	28
Right	35

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models built after November 2023

Tested vehicle: 2024 Nissan Pathfinder SL4-door 4wd

The Nissan Pathfinder was redesigned for the 2022 model year after a one-year absence from the market. Beginning with 2024 models, built after November 2023, improvements were made to the rear seat belts to improve rear occupant protection in moderate overlap front crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.) These ratings do not apply to the Infiniti QX60.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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 approached 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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2413
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	7
Left (cm)	10
Center (cm)	10
Right (cm)	8
Brake pedal (cm)	5
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-3
Rearward (cm)	-3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2413
Head
HIC-15	123
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.6
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.29
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Femur (kN)
Left	0.5
Right	1.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.36
Right	0.42
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.8
Right	2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	55
Right	43

Test ID	CEF2413
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.8
Compression (kN)	0.0
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	34
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	4.2
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.1
Right femur compression	0.1

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4-door 4wd

The Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 were redesigned for the 2022 model year after a one-year absence from the market.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

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.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2210
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-14.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2210
Head
HIC-15	125
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Compression (kN)	0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	16
Lateral force (kN)	0.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	24
Average deflection (mm)	21
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.36
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.17
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	5.2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2210
Head
HIC-15	65
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Compression (kN)	0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	14
Lateral force (kN)	0.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	19
Average deflection (mm)	16
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	1.61
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.15
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	2.6

About the side crash test

Headlights

Trim level(s)

All trims

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

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 sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2022-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	95.2 m	None
Straightaway left edge	51.9 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	60.7 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	49.1 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	47.7 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	46.7 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	137.1 m
Straightaway left edge	139.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	78.7 m
250m radius left curve, right edge	72.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	56.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	57.2 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult — night

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, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult — night

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, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.7 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision and a warning was issued 1.5 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	SV
Seat type	cloth

This vehicle has 3 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	SV
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	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

Position	Rating
1
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
3
3	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
4
4	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
5
5	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
6
6	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

Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	5
Clearance angle (degrees)	88
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	7
Clearance angle (degrees)	85
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 23

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	7
Clearance angle (degrees)	81
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	5
Clearance angle (degrees)	80
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 31

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	12
Clearance angle (degrees)	82
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	18
Clearance angle (degrees)	81
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 32

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	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 33

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	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation