The new Nissan Murano failed to achieve a satisfactory rating in Latin NCAP’s safety assessment program.
Despite being equipped with 7 airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard in all trim levels, the US-built SUV scored just two stars in adult occupant protection, in the frontal crash test.
This saw the Murano’s footwell area rupturing on the driver’s side, which led to severe leg injury threat of the dummy. Moreover, the movement of the steering column indicated additional potential injuries to the driver, with readings pointing to ‘marginal’ protection in most key areas, bar the head, which was noted as ‘adequate’, and the neck, rated as ‘good’.
“We finish this year with this surprising result. A model sponsored by a manufacturer that due to its equipment was expected to offer five star protection, yet in the test could only achieve two stars for adult occupants. This result makes clear that expensive cars fitted with a range of safety equipment do not necessarily offer five-star protection“, Latin NCAP’s President, Maria Fernanda Rodriguez, said.
On the other hand, the Nissan Murano turned out to offer good protection in the side impact and side pole impact tests for both adult and child occupants, which surprised the Latin NCAP’s chiefs: “We call on Nissan to improve this model in order to reach the five stars by solving the poor structural performance that caused the loss of points“, added Secretary General Alejandro Furas.
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