The Nissan Leaf has earned five stars in the overall and side crash test performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Leaf received four stars for the front crash and dynamic rollover test, but its overall score is five stars. These ratings apply to the 2011 and 2012 model years.

The high marks for the Leaf in NHTSA’s tests combined with the Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety highlight the electric vehicle’s safety. The Leaf is the first pure electric vehicle to be evaluated for its crash protection.

NHTSA instituted a more stringent five-star safety ratings system for the 2011 model year, and consequently, the higher standards have made it more difficult for cars to achieve the coveted five-star rating in each test. Recently, NHTSA put out a brochure listing all the 2011 vehicles rated in this first year of the updated star safety system.

The revised NHTSA crash program includes a more comprehensive evaluation in front and side crash, and rollover resistance than in years past. Each model also receives an overall vehicle score, which combines the results of the three tests and compares them to the injury risk in other vehicles.

We are currently testing the Nissan Leaf at our track and will report our findings soon.

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