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Lexus IS 250/350

2006-13 models

SMALL OVERLAP FRONT TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Poor

Structure/safety cage	Injury measures				Restraints/dummy kinematics
Structure/safety cage	Head/neck	Chest	Hip/thigh	Lower leg/foot	Restraints/dummy kinematics

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

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Test details:

The Lexus IS was redesigned for the 2006 model year. There are two models, the IS 250 and IS 350, depending on engine size.

Structure — The driver's space was seriously compromised by intruding structure. Footwell intrusion measured as much as 42 cm at the footrest, and the instrument panel intruded as much as 22 cm. Both dummy feet were trapped by the footwell intrusion, and the brake pedal had to be cut off to free the right foot.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — The dummy’s head remained in contact with the frontal airbag, but the head was still vulnerable to contact with forward side structure because the steering column moved 13 cm to the right as the dummy moved to the left. The driver's seat tipped forward and toward the B-pillar. Furthermore, at forwardmost excursion the head had moved outside the open side window, partially due to the lack of a side curtain airbag deployment and leaving the head vulnerable to contact with side structure and outside objects.

Injury measures — Measures from the dummy indicate that injuries to the left lower leg would be likely in a crash of this severity. Injuries to the left foot and right lower leg would be possible.

Watch crash test footage for this vehicle on YouTube Tested model year and trim level only; see "Tested vehicle specifications" below

Left to right:

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.
Although the dummy's head remained engaged with the frontal airbag during the crash, it became vulnerable to hard contacts because the steering column moved too far to the right and the head moved outside the open side window.
Intrusion into the occupant compartment was extensive. The dummy's left foot was trapped by intruding structure as the left front wheel was forced rearward during the crash. The right foot was trapped beneath the brake pedal.

Additional features:

Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Driver and front passenger knee airbags: separate airbags in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes
Electronic stability control
Antilock brakes
Daytime running lights

Tested vehicle specifications:

2012 Lexus IS 250 4-door
Class: Midsize luxury/near luxury car
Weight: 3,509 lbs.
Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase: 108 in.
Length: 180 in.
Width: 71 in.
Engine: 2.5 L V6
EPA ratings: 21 mpg city | 30 mpg highway

See all test results for Lexus IS 250/350

Last updated: March 4, 2013