2008 Lexus ES 350

midsize luxury car / 4-door sedan

2008 Lexus ES 350 4-door sedan
2007 Lexus ES 350 shown

Crashworthiness

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

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 2007-12 models

Tested vehicle: 2012 Lexus ES 350 4-door

The Lexus ES 350 was redesigned for the 2007 model year.

Evaluation criteria Rating
P
Structure and safety cage
P
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
M
Lower leg/foot
P
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the left side and leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward side structure. The steering column moved upward 18 cm and 14 cm to the right, contributing to a lack of protection for the head and allowing little airbag cushioning for the chest. The side curtain airbag did not deploy, leaving the dummy's head vulnerable to contact with side structure and outside objects.
P

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 wasn't maintained well.

During the crash, the steering column moved sharply upward and to the right, leaving the dummy's head and chest unprotected from impact with hard interior surfaces and outside objects.

Intrusion into the occupant compartment was extensive. The door hinge pillar was torn off from the door sill as the left front wheel was forced rearward during the crash. This intrusion contributed to a high risk of injuries to the left knee and left lower leg, and a significant risk of injury to the left hip.

Technical measurements for this test

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2007-12 models

Tested vehicle: 2007 Toyota Camry LE 4-door

The Toyota Camry was redesigned for the 2007 model year. Frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota. The Camry was redesigned again for the 2012 model year, so these ratings do not apply to 2012 models.

The frontal offset crash test ratings also apply to the Lexus ES 350, the midsize luxury/near luxury version of the Camry, beginning with 2007 models and continuing through the 2012 models, which were not redesigned.

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

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2007-12 models

Tested vehicle: 2007 Toyota Camry LE 4-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Toyota Camry was redesigned for the 2007 model year. The Camry was redesigned again for the 2012 model year, so these ratings do not apply to 2012 models.

The side impact crash test ratings also apply to the Lexus ES 350, the midsize luxury/near luxury version of the Camry, beginning with 2007 models and continuing through the 2012 models, which were not redesigned.

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

View of the vehicle and barrier just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2007-12 models

Tested vehicle: 2011 Lexus ES 350 4-door

Overall evaluation
G
Curb weight 3,601 lbs
Peak force 18,649 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio 5.18

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seats

Overall evaluation
M
Dynamic rating
M
Seat/head restraint geometry
G
Technical measurements for this test

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