2025 Nissan Murano stands as a testament to this commitment
Crashes occur in an instant, but designing a safe vehicle takes years of meticulous planning, testing, and refinement. The all-new 2025 Nissan Murano stands as a testament to this commitment, earning the prestigious TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This accolade is the culmination of countless hours of work by Nissan’s dedicated safety engineers, including the team at the Safety Advancement Lab near Detroit.
Nissan’s Safety Advancement Lab: A Hub of Innovation
At the heart of Nissan’s safety engineering is the $40 million Safety Advancement Lab, a state-of-the-art facility where vehicles undergo rigorous testing to simulate real-world crash scenarios. Engineers conduct approximately 400 crash tests annually, utilizing advanced monitoring equipment and high-speed cameras to analyze every detail of a collision.
Derrick Diver, Nissan’s senior safety performance engineer, emphasizes the customer-centric approach: “During our entire development process, we always think about the customer. We set targets to achieve the highest possible ratings for Murano.
Comprehensive Safety Features: Shielding Every Passenger
The 2025 Murano is equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of advanced technologies designed to help avoid crashes and protect occupants if one occurs. These features include:
- Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection: Detects potential collisions and applies brakes to prevent accidents.
- Rear Automatic Braking: Helps prevent backing into objects.
- Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Enhances awareness of surrounding vehicles.
- Lane Departure Warning and High Beam Assist: Aids in maintaining lane position and visibility.
These technologies work in tandem to provide a comprehensive safety net for drivers and passengers alike .
Crashworthiness: Protecting Occupants in Every Scenario
To achieve the IIHS’s highest rating, the Murano underwent extensive crashworthiness evaluations. One critical test is the moderate overlap front crash, simulating a 40 mph collision with a deformable barrier. Engineers replicated this test multiple times, analyzing data from crash dummies and high-speed cameras to assess how well the vehicle absorbed crash energy and protected passengers.
The results were exemplary. The Murano’s body structure deformed as intended, absorbing energy and reducing the risk of injury. Seat belts and airbags were calibrated to work in harmony, ensuring optimal protection for all occupants.
Rear-Seat Safety: Prioritizing Family Protection
Understanding that families often rely on rear seats, Nissan placed a significant emphasis on rear-seat safety. Engineers focused on preventing “submarining,” a phenomenon where passengers slip under the lap portion of the seat belt during a collision. Through meticulous design and testing, the Murano’s rear-seat safety systems earned the IIHS’s highest individual test rating of “Good.”
Jeff Sitko, Nissan’s safety performance manager, notes, “Having a safe rear seat is important in any vehicle. That’s where we’re going to put our younger family members, and so we engineered it to be as safe as possible.”
Side-Impact Protection: Withstanding the Most Grueling Tests
Side-impact collisions are among the most challenging scenarios for vehicle safety. The Murano underwent the side oblique pole test, simulating a collision with a rigid, pole-like barrier. This test assesses the vehicle’s structural integrity and the effectiveness of side and curtain airbags.
Adam Gohl, Nissan’s safety performance engineer, explains, “It represents if a vehicle were to skid and strike a utility pole, for instance.” The Murano’s robust side-impact body structure design resulted in minimal pole intrusion, demonstrating exceptional performance in this critical test.
Real-World Impact: Customer Testimonials and Engineer Dedication
The true measure of a vehicle’s safety is its real-world performance. Nissan engineers often receive notes of gratitude from customers who survived accidents due to the vehicle’s safety features. These testimonials serve as powerful reminders of the importance of their work.
Gohl reflects, “People share stories that they survived an accident – the restraint systems worked as designed, and the body structure kept them safe. Those are incredibly inspiring.”
For the engineers, creating safe vehicles is personal. They drive Nissan vehicles, as do their loved ones. Sitko affirms, “I trust the vehicles I design to help keep my family and friends safe. They don’t have to worry about safety because I do. That’s a very rewarding feeling.
A Legacy of Safety and Innovation
The 2025 Nissan Murano’s achievement of the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation underscores Nissan’s unwavering commitment to safety. Through years of research, testing, and innovation, the Murano has set a new standard in vehicle safety, offering peace of mind to drivers and families everywhere.
As Nissan continues to push the boundaries of automotive safety, the 2025 Murano stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when engineering excellence meets a dedication to protecting what matters most
