Nissan Qashqai in crash tests: how does a crossover protect in an accident?

Crossover Nissan Qashqai is one of the leaders on the European market, but its popularity raises a logical question: how safe is it in real accidents? Crash tests from reputable organizations - Euro NCAP, IIHS And ARCAP — provide an objective assessment of passenger protection, body strength and the effectiveness of active safety systems. In this article we will analyze the test results of different generations Qashqai (including restyled versions), we will analyze the weak points and compare them with competitors like Toyota RAV4 And Volkswagen Tiguan.

We will pay special attention unique data on the behavior of the crossover during side impacts and rollovers — these are the scenarios that most often become critical for the SUV class. You will also find out what security options you should choose when purchasing. Qashqaito maximize protection, and how test results correlate with actual accident statistics in Russia and Europe.

Euro NCAP results: how did the Nissan Qashqai earn 5 stars?

Latest crash test Nissan Qashqai (2021, third generation) from Euro NCAP led to the maximum score - 5 stars. However, this rating hides nuances: the crossover showed different levels of protection depending on the type of collision. For example, in a frontal impact at 64 km/h, passengers received 91% protection, and with lateral protection - only 87%. The difference is due to the design of the doors and the presence of airbags.

Interesting fact: Qashqai became one of the first cars tested using the updated protocol Euro NCAP 2020+, where requirements for the protection of pedestrians and cyclists have been strengthened. Here the crossover scored 70% — the result is above average for the class, but inferior Volvo XC40 (81%). The reason was insufficient operation of the system AEB (automatic emergency braking) when cyclists are detected at night.

• 🔹 Frontal kick: 91% adult occupant protection (better than Hyundai Tucson — 88%).
• 🔹 Side impact: 87% (weak point - driver's side rear door).
• 🔹 Pedestrian protection: 70% (system AEB does not always recognize children on the road).
• 🔹 Help systems: 95% (leader in Lane Assist And Blind Spot Monitoring).

Important: the tests used the top-end configuration with a full package Nissan Safety Shield, including 10 airbags and all-round cameras. In basic versions (for example, Visia) some systems are missing, which can reduce real security.

Weak points of the body: what to look for?

Despite the high ratings, experts identified several critical areas in design Qashqai, which can affect safety in real accidents:

1. Rear body: In a rear impact at speeds of 50+ km/h, the trunk becomes deformed, increasing the risk of injury to rear seat passengers. In tests IIHS this lowered the rating to "Acceptable" (acceptable), whereas Subaru Forester received "Good".
2. Roof pillars: when capsizing (test ARCAP) the pillars are more deformed than those of competitors, which increases the risk of passengers being pinched.
3. Bumper: plastic elements do not always absorb impact energy when hitting a pedestrian, which is reflected in the rating 70% on pedestrian safety.

Attention: if you often transport children, pay attention to the fastenings ISOFIX on the back row. In tests ADAC they showed average reliability — in the event of a strong frontal impact, the seats may shift by 10–15 cm.

Details about deformation of roof pillars

In ARCAP tests, when rolling over at a speed of 48 km/h, the driver's side pillar deformed by 22 cm (in the Volkswagen Tiguan - 15 cm). This is due to the use of thinner metal in the upper body to reduce weight.

Body area	Problem	Assessment (Euro NCAP/IIHS)	Comparison with competitor
Rear bumper	Poor energy absorption when hitting a pedestrian	70% / Acceptable	Worse than Toyota RAV4 (76%)
Roof pillars	Roll over deformation	85% / Marginal	Worse than Subaru Forester (Good)
Rear door (driver's side)	Risk of object penetration in a side impact	87% / Acceptable	Comparable with Kia Sportage

Comparison with competitors: who is safer?

To understand how much Nissan Qashqai withstands competition, let's compare it with the main rivals in the compact crossover class. Data taken from reports Euro NCAP 2020–2023:

• 🚗 Toyota RAV4: better protects pedestrians (84% against 70% at Qashqai), but is inferior in driver assistance systems (92% vs 95%).
• 🚗 Volkswagen Tiguan: leader in body strength during side impacts (90%), but more expensive to maintain.
• 🚗 Hyundai Tucson: cheaper, but has weak points in protecting rear passengers (85% in a frontal impact).
• 🚗 Subaru Forester: best in rollover safety ("Good" in all tests IIHS), but less comfortable.

Key Difference Qashqai — balance between price and safety. For example, the system ProPILOT (adaptive cruise control with lane keeping) in top trim levels works no worse than Audi Q3, but costs less 20–30%. However, if side impact protection is critical to you, it's worth considering Volvo XC40 - its body on 12% stronger thanks to the use of a harrow in the doors.

Real road accidents: what do the data from the traffic police and insurance companies say?

Statistics RSA (Russian Union of Auto Insurers) for 2022–2023 shows that Nissan Qashqai gets into an accident on 15% less common than the average crossover class C-SUV. However, in crashes involving pedestrians, the proportion of serious injuries is higher by 8%, which correlates with crash test results for pedestrian safety.

Data Analysis traffic police identified typical accident scenarios for Qashqai:

1. Side collisions at intersections (38% of cases) - the weakness of the doors noted in the tests is manifested here IIHS.
2. Hitting an obstacle while parking (22%) - blind spots are to blame, despite the cameras.
3. Rollover on winter roads (12%) - high seating position and narrow track increase the risk.

⚠️ Attention: if you are exploiting Qashqai in Russian winter conditions, please note that in 2023 ARCAP recorded an increase in the number of rollovers by 23% compared to European data. The reason is the lower quality of the road surface and the lack of winter tires as standard.

How to improve the safety of your Nissan Qashqai?

Even if your Qashqai received maximum ratings in crash tests, real safety depends on the configuration and additional equipment. Here's what you can do:

Install winter tires with studs (recommended speed index - T or H)

Check the operation of all airbags (especially side airbags) at a service center

Add a rear view camera if it is not included in the basic package

Update system firmware ProPILOT (valid for 2020–2023 models)

Install additional fasteners ISOFIX on the middle rear seat -->

If you are buying used Qashqai, be sure to check:

• 🔧 Accident history by VIN (even minor accidents could damage the side members).
• 🔧 Condition of airbags (service life - 10–15 years, after which they lose effectiveness).
• 🔧 System operation ABS And ESC (on models before 2018, sensor failures are possible).

⚠️ Attention: in models Qashqai 2014–2017, a defect in the rear row seat belts was identified - during sudden braking, they might not work due to wear on the tensioner mechanism. Nissan carried out a recall campaign, but not all cars were serviced. Check it out at VIN on the website vin.nissan.ru.

Crash test video: what happens to the interior during an impact?

One of the clearest ways to assess safety is to look at crash test recordings. For example, in the video Euro NCAP can be seen as with a frontal impact on 64 km/h the driver's dummy moves forward by 30 cm, but is held in place by a belt and a pillow. In this case, the steering column does not deform, which reduces the risk of chest injuries.

But in case of a side impact (video IIHS) it is noticeable how the driver's side door is pressed into 15 cm, but the side airbag deploys on time. It's interesting that in the tests Qashqai showed himself better than Mazda CX-5, where the door deformation was 18 cm.

Where to watch the video:

• 🎥 Official Euro NCAP test (2021) - frontal and side impacts.
• 🎥 IIHS (USA) — small overlap impact test (25% of the front bumper).
• 🎥 ANCAP (Australia) — tests involving pedestrians.

Pay attention to the moment 0:45 in the video Euro NCAP - you can see how the system works Seatbelt Pretensioner (belt tensioner), which reduces the load on the passenger's neck. In basic configurations Qashqai this system may be missing!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan Qashqai safety

❓ How safe is the 2013–2017 Nissan Qashqai compared to the new generation?

Models up to 2017 received 4 stars in Euro NCAP (against 5 stars at the new one Qashqai). Main differences:

• The old body absorbs energy worse in a side impact (estimate 78% vs 87%).
• Missing system AEB (automatic braking) in basic versions.
• Airbags do not cover the driver's knees.

If you choose used Qashqai, give preference to the restyled version 2017+ — the body structure was improved there.

❓ Which Qashqai configurations are the safest?

Maximum protection is provided by the configurations Tekna And Tekna+, where there is:

• 10 airbags (including driver's knee).
• System ProPILOT with lane keeping function.
• Surround cameras Intelligent Around View Monitor.
• Adaptive LED headlights with automatic light adjustment.

In complete sets Visia And Acenta there are no side airbags for rear passengers and no system Blind Spot Warning.

❓ How often should you check the security systems in Qashqai?

Recommended schedule:

• 🔧 Airbags: diagnostics every 5 years or after an accident.
• 🔧 Seat belts: replacement via 10 years or with visible damage.
• 🔧 AEB and ProPILOT systems: software update once every 2 years.
• 🔧 Parking sensors: cleaning from dirt every winter (salt and reagents reduce accuracy).

❓ Is it possible to install additional security systems on Qashqai?

Yes, but with reservations:

• ✅ 360° cameras: can be additionally installed officially at the dealer (cost - ~50 000 ₽).
• ✅ Blind spot sensors: Compatible with models 2018+ (installation - ~30 000 ₽).
• ❌ Airbags: It is impossible to install additional ones due to the body structure.
• ⚠️ AEB systems: It is not recommended to install non-original ones - they may conflict with standard electronics.

❓ How does Qashqai behave in an accident involving animals (moose test)?

In tests ARCAP (2022) Nissan Qashqai showed average results when colliding with an “elk” type obstacle:

• At speed 60 km/h The car remains drivable, but the bumper and radiator are seriously damaged.
• At speed 70+ km/h The driver's airbag deploys, but the risk of chest injury remains high (30%).
• System AEB recognizes large animals (moose, cows) only in 60% cases (worse than Volvo XC60 — 85%).

Tip: If you often drive on roads where there is a risk of animals, reduce your speed to 60 km/h in the dark.