Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2017 Lexus NX

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights

2017 Lexus NX 4-door SUV
2015 Lexus NX shown

Crashworthiness

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

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning

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 2015-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Lexus NX 200t Premium 4-door 4wd

The Lexus NX was introduced in the 2015 model year and is derived from the Toyota RAV4.

Overall 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.

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 very 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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1449
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 9
Footrest (cm) 6
Left toepan (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 4
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Upper dash (cm) 3
Lower instrument panel (cm) 4

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1449
Head
HIC-15 150
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm) 17
Maximum Nij 0.35
Chest maximum compression (mm) 21
Femur (kN)
Left 1.4
Right 1.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 2
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.48
Right 0.48
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 3.9
Right 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 115
Right 54

How the driver-side small overlap front test is conducted

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2015-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Lexus NX 200t Premium 4-door 4wd

The Lexus NX was introduced in the 2015 model year and is derived from the Toyota RAV4. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota as part of frontal crash test verification.

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 VTF1410
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 10
Center (cm) 8
Right (cm) 7
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 1
Rearward (cm) -1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1410
Head
HIC-15 174
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.3
Femur force - right (kN) 2.0
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 3
Maximum tibia index - left 0.34
Maximum tibia index - right 0.44
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.2
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 66
Right 126

How the moderate overlap front test is conducted

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2015-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Lexus NX 200t Premium 4-door 4wd with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Lexus NX was introduced in the 2015 model year and is derived from the Toyota RAV4. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota as part of side crash test verification.

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 VTS1413
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -15.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1413
Head HIC-15 401
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Compression (kN) 0.0
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 49
Lateral force (kN) 1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 30
Average deflection (mm) 22
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 8.10
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.41
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 2.0
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.5
Combined force (kN) 3.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.7
L-M moment (Nm) 80
A-P moment (Nm) 15

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1413
Head HIC-15 203
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 25
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 29
Average deflection (mm) 17
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.00
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.40
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.3
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.5
Combined force (kN) 2.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.9
L-M moment (Nm) 176
A-P moment (Nm) -55

How the side crash test is conducted

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2015-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Lexus NX 200t Premium 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,972 lbs
Peak force20,394 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.13

How the roof strength test is conducted

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) 4
Distance below top of head (mm) 1
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 14.2
Head contact time (ms) 59
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 351

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

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Turbo trim
  • 300h trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
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

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Turbo trim
  • 300h trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2017 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 89.8 m None
Straightaway left edge 49.8 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 66.3 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 49.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 53.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.8 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 179.4 m
Straightaway left edge 160.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 77.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 70.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 58.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 57.5 m

Trim level(s)

  • Turbo trim equipped with Premium Triple Beam Headlamps with Intelligent High Beams package
  • 300h trim equipped with Premium Triple Beam Headlamps with Intelligent High Beams 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 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 both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Turbo trim equipped with Premium Triple Beam Headlamps with Intelligent High Beams package
  • 300h trim equipped with Premium Triple Beam Headlamps with Intelligent High Beams package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 68.3 m None
Straightaway left edge 36.7 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 64.4 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 36.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 54.7 m None
150m radius left curve, right edge 38.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 140.6 m
Straightaway left edge 129.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 78.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 58.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 61.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 52.5 m

Trim level(s)

  • Turbo trim equipped with Premium Triple Beam LED Headlamps package
  • 300h trim equipped with Premium Triple Beam LED Headlamps package
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
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

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Turbo trim equipped with Premium Triple Beam LED Headlamps package
  • 300h 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 2017 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 68.3 m None
Straightaway left edge 36.7 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 64.4 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 36.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 54.7 m None
150m radius left curve, right edge 38.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 140.6 m
Straightaway left edge 129.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 78.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 58.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 61.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 52.5 m

How headlights are evaluated

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
Advanced
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 9 mph.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2015-17 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimNX 200t
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.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimNX 200t
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
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
difficult to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
hard-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
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

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 28
Clearance angle (degrees) 30
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 19
Clearance angle (degrees) 32
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
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Roof
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

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 24
Clearance angle (degrees) 29
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 26
Clearance angle (degrees) 35
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

How child seat anchors are evaluated