Nissan’s SUVs aren’t the most popular in the segment. Despite being a good car overall, the Nissan Pathfinder can’t keep up with its competition. The redesigned Nissan Armada also failed to make a huge impact on sales. The Nissan Murano remains unchanged for the 2020 model year, though it did get an exterior refresh last year.

Still, a cool design alone won’t sell a car. For most consumers, a key factor in choosing an SUV in safety. The Nissan Murano has had some reliability issues in the past, particularly in a certain older model. How safe is the latest Nissan Murano?

IIHS safety ratings

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is responsible for testing each new vehicle to determine its crash-worthiness. Tests are performed on each side of the vehicle as well as the roof. Seatbelts and headlights are also given a rating.

The IIHS also releases a list every year of its Top Safety Picks. Although the Pathfinder was chosen as one of the safest cars, the Nissan Murano didn’t make the cut.

Still, the Murano got stellar safety ratings from the IIHS. It got a ‘Good’ score in every category, with a ‘Superior’ rating for front crash prevention. Its headlights were not tested, but the ones on last year’s model were rated ‘Marginal.’

NHTSA safety ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration only performs three crash tests, two of which aren’t issued by the IIHS. Crash tests are performed on either side of the front of the vehicle, as well as each passenger side. The NHTSA also performs a rollover and side pole test, which demonstrates what happens when a car collides with a fixed object from the side.

The 2020 Nissan Murano got a five-star rating in both the frontal and side crash test results. For the rollover test, it got four stars. This still gives the Nissan Murano an overall score of five stars.

Driver-assist features

The Nissan Murano has a nice selection of safety features in the base trim. A rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, driver drowsiness warning, and forward-collision warning are all standard. The rear-seat reminder system is also standard.

The two higher trims come with additional safety functions. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, parking sensors, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning can all be included. For improved visibility, you can also get traffic sign recognition, LED fog lights, and automatic high beams.

The latest Nissan Murano safety recall

The latest Nissan Murano has excellent crash test scores and safety features. However, you may want to hold off on buying a used model. The 2009 model is currently under recall for faulty brakes.

Due to a defective ABS component, it could take some vehicles longer to stop, increasing the risk of crashes. Currently, no recalls have been issued for the 2020 Nissan Murano.

Is the Nissan Murano a good SUV?

Like the other Nissan SUVs, the Murano suffers from being painfully average. Compared to its rivals, its cargo capacity is pretty low and it doesn’t have the fanciest interior. The engine, while peppy, doesn’t exhibit the best acceleration power. Some reviewers noted that the engine starts growling under a lot of pressure.

Other critics also pointed out that they could feel a lot of body roll while steering the car. Besides these complaints, the Nissan Murano is a good SUV overall. It has comfortable seats and it’s easy to handle, giving every passenger a smooth drive.

The infotainment system is easy to use and comes with standard smartphone integration. While it may not stand out among the competition, the Nissan Murano is definitely a safe choice for any SUV buyer.