Top Safety Pick +

2017 Lexus RX

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2017 Lexus RX 4-door SUV — 2016 Lexus RX shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system	Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use	+

Other available safety features

Optional blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2016-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Lexus RX 350 4-door 4wd

The Lexus RX was redesigned for the 2016 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1537
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Footrest (cm)	10
Left toepan (cm)	11
Brake pedal (cm)	3
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	5
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Upper dash (cm)	5
Lower instrument panel (cm)	5

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1537
Head
HIC-15	156
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	16
Maximum Nij	0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm)	30
Femur (kN)
Left	1.3
Right	2.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.71
Right	0.66
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.2
Right	3.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	63
Right	52

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2016-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Lexus RX 350 4-door 4wd

The Lexus RX was redesigned for the 2016 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1514
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	6
Left (cm)	9
Center (cm)	7
Right (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	-1
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	-6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1514
Head
HIC-15	221
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	16
Maximum Nij	0.30
Chest maximum compression (mm)	34
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.7
Femur force - right (kN)	2.2
Knee displacement - left (mm)	3
Knee displacement - right (mm)	3
Maximum tibia index - left	0.37
Maximum tibia index - right	0.76
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.3
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	3.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	47
Right	51

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2016-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Lexus RX 350 4-door 4wd

The Lexus RX was redesigned for the 2016 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS1513
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-24.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1513
Head HIC-15	69
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Compression (kN)	0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	29
Lateral force (kN)	1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	26
Average deflection (mm)	23
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.40
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.20
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.6
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.1
Combined force (kN)	2.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.1
L-M moment (Nm)	44
A-P moment (Nm)	-33

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1513
Head HIC-15	87
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.1
Compression (kN)	0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	21
Lateral force (kN)	0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	13
Average deflection (mm)	11
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.00
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.11
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.7
Acetabulum force (kN)	0.5
Combined force (kN)	1.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	44
A-P moment (Nm)	15

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2016-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Lexus RX 350 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	4,410 lbs
Peak force	21,136 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	4.79

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	30
Distance below top of head (mm)	10
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	12.5
Head contact time (ms)	61
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	458

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

RX 350 trim equipped with Bi-LED Headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System package
RX 450h trim equipped with Bi-LED Headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System package

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on the gradual right curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	RX 350 trim equipped with Bi-LED Headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System package RX 450h trim equipped with Bi-LED Headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2017-19 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	135.4 m	11.5%
Straightaway left edge	57.6 m	11.5%
250m radius right curve, left edge	67.0 m	34.6%
250m radius left curve, left edge	79.6 m	23.1%
150m radius right curve, right edge	75.3 m	84.6%
150m radius left curve, left edge	62.2 m	18.3%

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	144.9 m
Straightaway left edge	136.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	99.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	98.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	74.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	83.4 m

Trim level(s)

RX 350 trim equipped with Premium Triple-Beam LED Headlamp package
RX 450h trim equipped with Premium Triple-Beam LED Headlamp package

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp right curve, fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve and fair on the sharp right and both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	RX 350 trim equipped with Premium Triple-Beam LED Headlamp package RX 450h trim equipped with Premium Triple-Beam LED Headlamp package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2017-19 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	69.7 m	None
Straightaway left edge	39.4 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	60.8 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	40.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	55.6 m	None
150m radius left curve, right edge	39.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	145.4 m
Straightaway left edge	128.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	78.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	65.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	62.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	55.6 m

Trim level(s)

RX 350 trim
RX 450h trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual left and gradual right curves and inadequate on the sharp left and sharp right curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the gradual left curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	RX 350 trim RX 450h trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2017-19 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	134.9 m	35.8%
Straightaway left edge	61.5 m	35.8%
250m radius right curve, right edge	66.8 m	45.7%
250m radius left curve, left edge	58.4 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	55.6 m	29.4%
150m radius left curve, left edge	55.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	138.1 m
Straightaway left edge	130.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	65.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	65.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	54.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	54.4 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2017-19 models

Superior

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2016-22 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	RX 350
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	RX 350
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	13
Clearance angle (degrees)	85
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	15
Clearance angle (degrees)	85
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	11
Clearance angle (degrees)	84
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	13
Clearance angle (degrees)	85
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation