Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2023 Lexus NX

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

2023 Lexus NX 4-door SUV
2022 Lexus NX shown

Crashworthiness

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

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)
Standard system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use
+

Other available safety features

  • Standard 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 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Lexus NX 250 4-door 4wd

The Lexus NX was redesigned for the 2022 model year and the NX Plug-in Hybrid was introduced in the 2022 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Lexus NX conducted by Toyota.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN2110
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Footrest (cm) 4
Left toepan (cm) 5
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Parking brake (cm) 0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Upper dash (cm) 2
Lower instrument panel (cm) 2

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN2110
Head
HIC-15 165
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Femur (kN)
Left 1.0
Right 1.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.28
Right 0.28
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.3
Right 2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 41
Right 75

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Lexus NX 250 4-door 4wd

The Lexus NX was redesigned for the 2022 model year and the NX Plug-in Hybrid was introduced in the 2022 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Lexus NX conducted by Toyota.

Overall 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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP2113
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Footrest (cm) 4
Right toepan (cm) 2
Center toepan (cm) 2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 5
Right lower dash (cm) 7

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP2113
Head
HIC-15 83
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 15
Maximum Nij 0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm) 19
Femur (kN)
Left 1.0
Right 5.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 3
Right 8
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 5
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.47
Right 0.96
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.1
Right 3.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 63
Right 53

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP2113
Head
HIC-15 130
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 19
Maximum Nij 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Femur (kN)
Left 0.8
Right 0.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.24
Right 0.29
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.9
Right 1.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 37
Right 49

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Lexus NX 250 4-door 4wd

The Lexus NX was redesigned for the 2022 model year and the NX Plug-in Hybrid was introduced in the 2022 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Lexus NX conducted by Toyota.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF2109
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 2
Left (cm) 4
Center (cm) 4
Right (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 0
Rearward (cm) 0
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF2109
Head
HIC-15 166
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.3
Femur force - right (kN) 1.4
Knee displacement - left (mm) 2
Knee displacement - right (mm) 2
Maximum tibia index - left 0.18
Maximum tibia index - right 0.45
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.1
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 53
Right 42

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2022-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Lexus NX 250 4-door 4wd

The Lexus NX was redesigned for the 2022 model year and the NX Plug-in Hybrid was introduced in the 2022 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Lexus NX conducted by Toyota.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS2110
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -23.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2110
Head HIC-15 176
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 23
Lateral force (kN) 1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 26
Average deflection (mm) 24
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.14
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.28
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.4
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.5
Combined force (kN) 2.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.3
L-M moment (Nm) 53
A-P moment (Nm) -35

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2110
Head HIC-15 154
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 19
Lateral force (kN) 1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 23
Average deflection (mm) 16
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.41
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.24
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.5
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.8
Combined force (kN) 2.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 42
A-P moment (Nm) -29

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Lexus NX 250 4-door 4wd

The Lexus NX was redesigned for the 2022 model year and the NX Plug-in Hybrid was introduced in the 2022 model year. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 Lexus NX conducted by Toyota.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection
Part of the dummy's head moved beyond the rear portion of the side curtain airbag and contacted the C-pillar. The head protection is inadequate.
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS2233
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -21.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2233
Head
HIC-15 197
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 14
Lateral force (kN) 0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 25
Average deflection (mm) 19
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.57
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.23
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 4.1

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2233
Head
HIC-15 252
Peak gs at hard contact 65
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.5
Compression (kN) 0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 21
Lateral force (kN) 1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 28
Average deflection (mm) 21
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.05
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.37
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.0

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2022-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Lexus NX 350 4-door 4wd

Ratings apply to the Lexus NX (tested) and the structurally similar 2022 Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,843 lbs
Peak force19,274 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.02

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) 14
Distance below top of head (mm) 6
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 14.6
Head contact time (ms) 59
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 276

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)

  • 250 trim equipped with Triple Beam Headlamps package
  • 350 trim equipped with Triple Beam Headlamps package
  • 350h trim equipped with Triple Beam Headlamps package
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

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 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 left curve and fair on the sharp left and both right curves.

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 250 trim equipped with Triple Beam Headlamps package
  • 350 trim equipped with Triple Beam Headlamps package
  • 350h trim equipped with Triple Beam 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 2022-25 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 117.7 m None
Straightaway left edge 59.9 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 70.6 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 71.7 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.7 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 58.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 147.4 m
Straightaway left edge 142.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 73.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 77.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 58.7 m

Trim level(s)

  • 250 trim equipped with F SPORT HANDLING AWD package
  • 250 trim equipped with Luxury package
  • 350 trim equipped with F SPORT HANDLING AWD package
  • 350 trim equipped with Luxury package
  • 350h trim equipped with Luxury package
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

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 never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. 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 both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 250 trim equipped with F SPORT HANDLING AWD package
  • 250 trim equipped with Luxury package
  • 350 trim equipped with F SPORT HANDLING AWD package
  • 350 trim equipped with Luxury package
  • 350h trim equipped with Luxury package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-25 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 96.4 m None
Straightaway left edge 61.1 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 81.6 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 58.7 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 64.7 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 56.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 141.7 m
Straightaway left edge 139.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 86.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 83.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 68.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 68.0 m

Trim level(s)

  • 250 trim
  • 350 trim
  • 350h trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve and fair on the sharp right and 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 fair on the gradual right and gradual left 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
Trim level(s)
  • 250 trim
  • 350 trim
  • 350h trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-25 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 131.2 m None
Straightaway left edge 72.3 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 67.9 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 63.2 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 52.3 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 49.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 147.2 m
Straightaway left edge 141.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 70.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 69.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 52.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 51.6 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2022-23 models

Superior
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

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2022-25 models

Superior
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, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 2.5 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)

Night

System details

  • standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Includes high-beam assist credit

This rating applies to 2022-25 models of the following trim lines: 250 trim, 350 trim, 350h trim
Superior
Superior

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2.4 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision and a warning was issued 2.4 seconds before impact.

About pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimNX 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.

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimNX 350
Seat type leather
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
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

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
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
Can be borrowed from 1 and 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

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 14
Clearance angle (degrees) 92
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 12
Clearance angle (degrees) 86
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

Seat position 22

2

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 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

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 7
Clearance angle (degrees) 90
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 10
Clearance angle (degrees) 90
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