Lexus GS: Crash Test and Safety Ratings Safety Features
Vehicles have evolved over time in looks and performance. Manufacturers have also raised the bar for safety.
This article applies to the Lexus GS (2005-2013).
We all hear about how much safer cars are now than they were decades ago. If you've ever watched crash test videos of cars from even the 70's and 80's, it's no secret that we are living in a golden age of automotive safety. Technology has brought us a long way from "safety bumpers" to the point where cars can now sense that a crash is about to happen and react accordingly. You may be curious to know what kinds of safety features your Lexus GS has from the factory. Here are some of the components and technologies that work to keep you safe out on the road, as well as some crash test data and safety ratings for the Lexus EG.
NHSTA
NHSTA is an organization under the federal government. NHSTA rates three areas that could result in injury during a car crash: frontal impact, side impact, and roll over. The first two tests are actually measured by crashing the vehicle whereas the third test is a mathematical formula. NHSTA uses a five-star rating system with five being the best and zero being the worst.
Test Description | Lexus GS | Toyota Camry | Audi A6 | Ford Fusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front, Driver | 5 Stars | 4 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars |
| Front, Overall Front | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars |
| Front, Passenger | 5 Stars | 4 Stars | 5 Stars | 4 Stars |
| Overall Rollover Rating | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 5 Stars | 4 Stars |
| Overall Overall | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars |
| Overall Side | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 4 Stars |
| Barrier, Side | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 3 Stars |
| Side Barrier Rating Driver | 4 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars |
| Pole, Side | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars |
| Pole Barrier Combined, Front | 4 Stars | 5 Stars | 4 Stars | 3 Stars |
| Pole Barrier Combined, Side | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars |
NHSTA results are for the year 2013.
IIHS
IIHS is a nonprofit group that the insurance companies fund. These are the companies that pay out during an accident and figure the insurance rate based on the vehicle’s rating. Therefore, a better-rated vehicle will most likely cost less to insure. The IIHS ranks vehicles using four descriptions: Poor, Marginal, Acceptable and Good. Good is the highest possible rating.
Test Description | Lexus GS | Toyota Camry | Audi A6 | Ford Fusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Small Overlap | Good | Good | Good | Acceptable |
| Dynamic Rating | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Overall Rear | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Seat Head/Restraint Geometry | Good | Acceptable | Good | Good |
| Chest | Good | Poor | Good | Good |
| Head/Neck | Good | Poor | Good | Good |
| Left Leg/Foot | Good | Poor | Good | Good |
| Overall Front | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Restraints | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Right Leg/Foot | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Structure Safety Cage | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Roof Strength | Good | Good | Good | Acceptable |
| Driver Head Protection | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Driver Head and Neck | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Driver Pelvis/Leg | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Driver Torso | Good | Good | Acceptable | Good |
| Overall Side | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | Marginal | Good | Good | Good |
| Rear Passenger Head and Neck | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Rear Passenger Torso | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Structure/Safety Cage | Good | Good | Good | Acceptable |
IIHS results are for the year 2013.
Safety Features
Safety Checklist
- Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
- Driver and front passenger knee airbags: separate airbags in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes
- Electronic stability control
- Antilock brakes
- Daytime running lights
The great results you see in crash test ratings come from a variety of cutting edge features the Lexus GS offers, some of which come standard while others are optional. These include a pre-collision system with dynamic radar cruise control, which warns you of obstacles ahead and even applies the brakes when it detects a possible collision. It also adjusts speed to keep a preset distance from cars ahead of you while using cruise control.
The Lexus GS is also equipped with lane departure alert, which means if you zone out and move out of your lane, the Lexus will adjust itself back into the lane. It is also equipped with an advanced air bag system that works like a second cage.
The Lexus GS is very safe. On top of a lot of impressive safety features, a feature called Enform Safety Connect is also included. This feature provides you peace of mind in knowing that assistance will be there when you need it the most. It's designed for collision emergencies, a stolen car, or a break down on the side of the road.
Related Discussions
- Lexus Enform and Safety Connect Renewal - ClubLexus.com
- Crash Test Data - ClubLexus.com
- Safety Recall and Product Update - ClubLexus.com
- Door Locking/Child Safety Question - ClubLexus.com
