New Lexus NX gets five-star ANCAP rating

The 2022 Lexus NX range has netted itself a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, with maximum points being awarded for its side impact driver protection and front passenger protection in the frontal offset crash test.

With ‘good’ and ‘adequate’ results yielded for adult occupants in the full-width frontal and oblique pole tests respectively, the only blemish on the new mid-size luxury SUV’s scorecard was a ‘marginal’ result in the frontal offset test and a moderate penalty being applied for ‘vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility’ – how the vehicle impacts the occupants of another vehicle in a collision.

High scores were also awarded for child protection across the board, as well as the quality and effectiveness of the plentiful safety systems.

Specifically, the new Lexus NX scored 91 per cent overall for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant protection, 83 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 92 per cent for its safety assistance tech.

ANCAP Chief Executive Carla Hoorweg said Lexus “has provided an impressive suite of safety features and active safety equipment in its latest NX model”, which includes a suitable amount of modern technology as standard, including features that will soon be a testing criteria.

“The Lexus NX also introduces a capability to detect and prevent or mitigate crashes with motorcycles through its enhanced radar and camera-based AEB system,” she said.

“From next year this functionality will be encouraged by ANCAP under revised ANCAP rating criteria which will take effect from January.”

The NX continues a decent run of crash test performances from Lexus, following on from the five-star rating awarded to the ES sedan last year, the UX small SUV in 2019, the discontinued CT 200h hatch in 2017, and the now-defunct IS sedan and aging RX large SUV in 2016.

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