Lexus RX: Crash Test and Safety Ratings/Safety Features
Learn about various tests conducted on your Lexus RX that make it a top contender in safety.
This article applies to the Lexus RX (2005-2014).
For most people, safety considerations and crash test ratings may be somewhat of an afterthought when buying a car. It might be unpleasant to think about, but accidents happen quite frequently, whether it's a minor mishap in the grocery parking lot or a more severe collision on the road. The Lexus RX already charms with its standout reliability and generous amounts of luxury features. However, the SUV also performs admirably in crash tests performed by two main agencies: NHTSA and IIHS. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a federal government organization that rates how well vehicles perform in frontal and side impact tests as well as rollovers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a non-profit organization funded primarily by insurance companies, generally ranks vehicles in one of four categories: Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor.
NHTSA
The NHTSA's primary goal is to reduce crash-related injuries, costs, and deaths. To ensure constant improvement, the organization sets and enforces safety standards while remaining vigilant for any potential defects or areas of weakness among cars on the market. The 2014 Lexus RX 350 does very well in the NHTSA's tests, scoring either four or five stars in each category. Take a closer look at how the RX performs in specific categories, and how it stacks up to competitors:
| Test Type | Lexus RX 350 | Acura MDX | Lincoln MKX | Cadillac SRX | Infiniti QX60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front, Overall Front | 4 stars | 5 stars | 3 stars | 4 stars | 4 stars |
| Front, Driver | 4 stars | 5 stars | 3 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars |
| Front, Passenger | 4 stars | 5 stars | 3 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars |
| Overall Rollover | 4 stars | 4 stars | 4 stars | 4 stars | 4 stars |
| Overall Overall | 4 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Barrier, Passenger Side | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Barrier, Driver Side | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Pole, Side | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Pole Barrier Combined, Front | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Pole Barrier Combined, Rear | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
Results are for the 2013 Lexus RX 350 base four-door front-wheel drive.
IIHS
The IIHS is dedicated to finding out what specifically works, and what doesn't, in terms of preventing or avoiding crashes among vehicles on the road. Additionally, the organization strives to minimize injuries, whether they are minor or more serious, in inevitable accidents each year. Aside from vehicle design, the IIHS looks at ways to improve driver behavior and road designs throughout the country. Each vehicle goes through rigorous tests to determine its overall safety and road worthiness. Here's how the Lexus RX 350 fares against its competitors:
| Test Type | Lexus RX 350 | Acura MDX | Lincoln MKX | Cadillac SRX | Infiniti QX60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front, Head/Neck | Not Rated | Good | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Moderate overlap front, Right Leg/Foot | Good | Good | Good | Acceptable | Good |
| Side, Driver Torso | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Side, Driver Pelvis/Leg | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Moderate overlap front, Restraints | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Head Restraints and Seats, Seat Head/Restraint Geometry | Good | Good | Good | Good | Not Rated |
| Side, Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Moderate overlap front, Head/Neck | Good | Good | Acceptable | Good | Good |
| Side, Driver Head and Neck | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Side, Rear Passenger Head Protection | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Front, Retraints and dummy kinematics | Not Rated | Good | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Side, Rear Passenger Head and Neck | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Side, Rear Passenger Torso | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Head Restraints and Seats, Overall Rear | Good | Good | Good | Good | Not Rated |
| Moderate overlap front, Chest | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Moderate overlap front, Left Leg/Foot | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Head Restraints and Seats, Dynamic Rating | Good | Good | Good | Good | Not Rated |
| Moderate overlap front, Overall Front | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Side, Structure/safety cage | Good | Good | Acceptable | Good | Acceptable |
| Moderate overlap front, Structure/safety cage | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Other, Roof Strength | Good | Good | Good | Good | Not Rated |
| Side, Overall Side | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Side, Driver Head Protection | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Results are for the 2013 Lexus RX 350 base four-door front-wheel drive.
Safety Features
Most vehicles on the road today have a relatively safe structure and enough basic safety features, from front and side airbags to traction control, to keep us generally safe in the event of an accident. The 2013 RX 350 is no exception. As you can see, it has done very well in rigorous crash tests. However, certain safety features can help prevent an accident, or keep you as safe as possible if you're involved in a collision. When you're shopping for an RX 350, consider these valuable safety features: daytime running lights, brake assist, integrated turn signal mirrors, blind spot monitor, child safety locks, and auto-leveling headlights. These features and more may be available on the RX 350, as suggested by the 2015 Lexus RX 350 Safety Report from U.S. News & World Report.
Related Site
- 2014 Lexus RX 350 NHTSA and IIHS Results - Cars.com
- 2015 Lexus RX 350 Safety Report - USnews.com
