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    • 2012 Nissan Xterra  RealSafeCars75Safety Rating

    #36 of 2012 SUVs

    #80 of all 2012 vehicles


    The Xterra, part of Nissan's lineup since 2000, is a midsize SUV with seating up to 5. With optional all-wheel drive (AWD), it can easily bypass mud and snow. Nissan offers a 3-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty, and a 5-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty on its lineup.

    The 2012 Nissan Xterra is below average compared to all vehicles.

    Comparison to all vehicles.  This plot shows RSC safety scores on the horizontal axis vs. the number of vehicles with each safety score (depicted by bar height and percentages at the bottom). Colors reflect vehicle safety, ranging from red (not that safe) to green (safer). For reference, a score of 0 implies a 0.15% chance of driver death (13% chance of driver injury) over 15 years, and a score of 100 reflects a 0.016% chance (1.4% chance of driver injury). The 2012 Nissan Xterra has a score of 75, implying a 0.049% chance of driver death (4.3% chance of injury).

    We estimate that the 2012 Nissan Xterra has a vehicle lifetime fatality chance of 0.0487% and a vehicle lifetime injury chance of 5.5559%, meaning the average driver has a 0.0487% chance of dying in an accident if they drive the car under regular conditions for fifteen years, and a 5.5559% chance of being injured.

    Compared to the average vehicle, the 2012 Nissan Xterra is 4% more likely to result in a fatal accident. Compared to other suvs, the 2012 Nissan Xterra is 20% more likely to result in a fatal accident.

    And it is about as safe as many comparable models.

    9862Hyundai VeracruzJeep LibertySubaru ForesterNissan MuranoJeep WranglerJeep Grand CherokeeToyota HighlanderKia SorentoToyota FJ CruiserNissan PathfinderMazda CX-7Nissan XterraComparison to similar models.  This plot compares the RSC rating of the 2012 Nissan Xterra with its main competition. Models are plotted on a scale from 62 to 98. The 2012 Nissan Xterra is safer than the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz, the 2012 Jeep Liberty, and the 2012 Subaru Forester and less safe than the 2012 Toyota Highlander and the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is about as safe as the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, the 2012 Mazda CX-7, and the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder.

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