Not anybody doubted it, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) confirmed that the 2013 U.S.-assembled version of the Nissan LEAF, the third modelyear version of the electric hatchback, is indeed a Top Safety Pick. It passed all four passenger safety tests with flying colors.
The LEAF achieved highest rating of “Good” in front, side, rollover and rear crash test. That is hardly surprising given the fact that this car is modern as cars get right now, and because it comes with a long list of standard active and passive safety features. In fact, if it wasn’t for all these features, it would be lighter, and as a result it could cover more miles on one charge.
Standard safety kit on the 2013 LEAF include Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor, front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection, 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver’s seat ELR only) with pretensioners and load limiters, child seat upper tether anchor, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system and child safety rear door locks. Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS) are also standard on all LEAF models.
