Lexus RX Euro NCAP crash test

5 stars. Overall excellent performance in crash protection and well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash avoidance technology

The passenger compartment of the Lexus RX remained stable in the frontal offset test.  Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger dummies.  Lexus demonstrated that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions.  Protection of the driver’s chest was rated as marginal, based on dummy readings of compression.  Analysis of the deceleration of the impact trolley during the test, and analysis of the deformable barrier after the test, revealed that the car would be moderately benign partner in a frontal collision. In the full-width rigid barrier test, protection of the chest of the rear passenger was marginal, based on dummy readings of chest compression but that of other critical body areas was good or adequate.  In the side barrier test, protection was good for all critical body regions and the RX scored maximum points in this test.  In the more severe side pole impact, protection was good or adequate for all critical body areas.  Control of excursion (the extent to which a body is thrown to the other side of the vehicle when it is hit from the far side) was adequate. The RX has a counter-measure to mitigate against occupant to occupant injuries in such impacts.  The system worked well in Euro NCAP’s tests, with good protection of the occupants’ heads.  However, Lexus did not demonstrate that the system would provide a similar level of protection in all cases.  Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric analysis of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection.   The RX has an advanced eCall system and is equipped with a system to prevent secondary collisions.

In both the frontal offset and side barrier tests, good protection was provided to all critical body areas for both child dummies, and the RX scored maximum points in this part of the assessment.  The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position.  Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded.  All of the child restraint types for which the Lexus RX is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.

Protection of the head was almost completely good or adequate.  The bumper provided good protection to pedestrians’ legs and protection of the pelvis was also good at all test locations.  The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system of the Lexus can respond to vulnerable road users as well as to other vehicles.  The system scored maximum points in tests of its response to pedestrians and to cyclists, with collisions avoided in all cases.

The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system of the Lexus RX performed well in tests of its reaction to other vehicles.  A seatbelt reminder system is fitted as standard to the front and rear seats and the car is equipped with a system to detect driver fatigue.  The lane support system gently corrects the vehicle’s path if it is drifting out of lane and also intervenes in some more critical situations.  The speed assistance system identifies the local speed limit, and the driver can choose to allow the limiter to be set automatically by the system.