I noticed that in the IIHS 40 MPH crash tests that the 97+ models of the maxima fared significantly better then the 95-96s, in not only that test but also the lower speed tests. I thought the 4th gens were structurally similar, but it seems that the 97+ also had their structures modified.

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/...els/maxima.htm

 

Yeah, that's why they were restyled- the bumpers were changed to improve crash protection.