Top Safety Pick +

2016 Lexus RC

large luxury car / 2-door coupe

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention

2016 Lexus RC 2-door coupe — 2015 Lexus RC shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-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
Optional system	Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Optional blind spot detection

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 2015-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Lexus RC 350 F Sport 2-door

The Lexus RC was introduced in the 2015 model year and is derived from the Lexus GS.

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 driver-side 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	CEN1448
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	8
Footrest (cm)	7
Left toepan (cm)	5
Brake pedal (cm)	7
Parking brake (cm)	11
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	4
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	4
Lower instrument panel (cm)	4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1448
Head
HIC-15	105
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	7
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	20
Femur (kN)
Left	1.2
Right	1.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.56
Right	0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.4
Right	2.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	67
Right	59

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2015-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Lexus RC 350 F Sport 2-door

The Lexus RC was introduced in the 2015 model year and is derived from the Lexus GS. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1705
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	14
Footrest (cm)	8
Right toepan (cm)	6
Center toepan (cm)	6
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	9
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Upper dash (cm)	4
Right lower dash (cm)	5

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1705
Head
HIC-15	280
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.5
Extension bending moment (Nm)	30
Maximum Nij	0.30
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	3
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.46
Right	0.31
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	3.3
Right	2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	61
Right	65

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1705
Head
HIC-15	113
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	5
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	0.7
Right	1.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.35
Right	0.26
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.1
Right	1.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	32
Right	42

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2015-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Lexus RC 350 F Sport 2-door

The Lexus RC was introduced in the 2015 model year and is derived from the Lexus GS. 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	VTF1413
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	6
Left (cm)	6
Center (cm)	6
Right (cm)	3
Brake pedal (cm)	6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-2
Rearward (cm)	-3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1413
Head
HIC-15	149
Peak gs at hard contact	23
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	5
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.2
Femur force - right (kN)	2.2
Knee displacement - left (mm)	2
Knee displacement - right (mm)	4
Maximum tibia index - left	0.34
Maximum tibia index - right	0.61
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.1
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	3.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	45
Right	65

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2015-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Lexus RC 350 F Sport 2-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Lexus RC was introduced in the 2015 model year.

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

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

View of the vehicle after the crash with door 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

Test ID	CES1406
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-26.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES1406
Head HIC-15	101
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Compression (kN)	0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	44
Lateral force (kN)	1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	25
Average deflection (mm)	20
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.51
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.24
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.0
Acetabulum force (kN)	0.9
Combined force (kN)	2.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	134
A-P moment (Nm)	39

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES1406
Head HIC-15	86
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.2
Compression (kN)	0.8
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	20
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	20
Average deflection (mm)	15
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	1.91
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.14
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.9
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.2
Combined force (kN)	2.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.6
L-M moment (Nm)	84
A-P moment (Nm)	-33

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2015-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Lexus RC 350 F Sport 2-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,812 lbs
Peak force	19,733 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.18

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)	16
Distance below top of head (mm)	21
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	13.4
Head contact time (ms)	57
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	340

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

Headlights

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

Trim level(s)

Turbo trim
300 trim
350 trim

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

Low 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 sharp left and both right curves 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 fair on the gradual right and both left curves and inadequate on the sharp right curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Turbo trim 300 trim 350 trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2016-17 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	103.8 m	None
Straightaway left edge	51.1 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	64.9 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	52.0 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	52.2 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	49.5 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	165.2 m
Straightaway left edge	143.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	71.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	71.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	54.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	57.4 m

Trim level(s)

Turbo trim equipped with Premium Triple Beam LED Headlamps package
300 trim equipped with Premium Triple Beam LED Headlamps package
350 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?	No
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 fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Turbo trim equipped with Premium Triple Beam LED Headlamps package 300 trim equipped with Premium Triple Beam LED Headlamps package 350 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?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2016-17 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	66.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	33.4 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	57.1 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	32.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	52.4 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	34.2 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	135.5 m
Straightaway left edge	125.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	78.7 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	66.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	60.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	57.2 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Optional Pre-Collision System

Package name

Optional Pre-Collision System

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2015-17 models

Advanced

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 8 mph.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2015-16 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	RC 350
Seat type	leather

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	RC 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
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Not visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	22
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Not visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	23
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Not visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	21
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Not visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	25
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation