2024 Lexus IS

midsize luxury car / 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system	Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Optional rear automatic braking

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

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2017-25 models built after June 2017

Tested vehicle: 2017 Lexus IS 200t 4-door

The Lexus IS was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Beginning with the 2017 model year, the front-end structure was reinforced and the driver door, lower hinge pillar, and sill were modified to improve occupant protection in driver-side small overlap frontal crashes.

Beginning with 2017 models built after June 2017, the front-end structure was modified again and backing material in the footwell was added or changed to further improve occupant protection in driver-side small overlap crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
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 of the 2017 Lexus IS built after June 2017.

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.

Forces on the left lower leg were just high enough to contribute to a moderate risk of injury.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1721
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	7
Footrest (cm)	12
Left toepan (cm)	5
Brake pedal (cm)	7
Parking brake (cm)	9
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	3
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Upper dash (cm)	4
Lower instrument panel (cm)	4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1721
Head
HIC-15	122
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm)	31
Femur (kN)
Left	2.0
Right	2.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.73
Right	0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	4.3
Right	3.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	86
Right	56

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Lexus IS 300 4-door 4wd

The Lexus IS was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Beginning with the 2021 model year, the passenger-side front-end structure was reinforced and the passenger door was modified to improve occupant protection in passenger-side small overlap frontal crashes. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Lexus IS conducted by Toyota.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2011
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	10
Footrest (cm)	12
Right toepan (cm)	9
Center toepan (cm)	7
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	7
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Upper dash (cm)	9
Right lower dash (cm)	7

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2011
Head
HIC-15	117
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	22
Maximum Nij	0.30
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	2.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	3
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.48
Right	0.49
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	4.2
Right	2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	59
Right	60

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2011
Head
HIC-15	109
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	9
Maximum Nij	0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm)	30
Femur (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	0.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.22
Right	0.29
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	26
Right	36

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2014-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Lexus IS 250 4-door

The Lexus IS was redesigned for the 2014 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	VTF1310
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	8
Left (cm)	8
Center (cm)	8
Right (cm)	4
Brake pedal (cm)	8
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	-6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1310
Head
HIC-15	187
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8
Maximum Nij	0.31
Chest maximum compression (mm)	30
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.9
Femur force - right (kN)	2.0
Knee displacement - left (mm)	3
Knee displacement - right (mm)	3
Maximum tibia index - left	0.68
Maximum tibia index - right	0.54
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	3.2
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	3.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	62
Right	54

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2014-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Lexus IS 250 4-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front and rear seat-mounted torso airbags

The Lexus IS was redesigned for the 2014 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	VTS1306
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-17.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1306
Head HIC-15	345
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	46
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	26
Average deflection (mm)	23
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.04
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.37
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.4
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.6
Combined force (kN)	3.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.4
L-M moment (Nm)	110
A-P moment (Nm)	72

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1306
Head HIC-15	67
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.3
Compression (kN)	0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	21
Lateral force (kN)	0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	12
Average deflection (mm)	12
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	1.26
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.05
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.2
Combined force (kN)	2.4
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.4
L-M moment (Nm)	93
A-P moment (Nm)	35

About the original side crash test

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

300 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 gradual right and gradual left curves and fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	300 trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	141.5 m	None
Straightaway left edge	78.0 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	68.5 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	66.0 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	53.0 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	51.2 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	149.2 m
Straightaway left edge	145.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	68.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	69.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	53.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	52.1 m

Trim level(s)

300 trim equipped with Premium Triple-Beam LED Headlamps 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 fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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

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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	300 trim equipped with Premium Triple-Beam LED Headlamps package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	85.2 m	None
Straightaway left edge	48.0 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	73.5 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	42.1 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	60.1 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	47.8 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	154.5 m
Straightaway left edge	151.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	77.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	79.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	60.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	59.6 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

standard Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 - Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2021-25 models

Superior

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 26 mph. A warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2017-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	IS 300
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 only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	IS 300
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
	none available
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	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	66
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	69
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
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
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
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	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	61
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	65
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
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

About the child seat anchor evaluation