The Euro NCAP notes that the passenger compartment of the NX remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy numbers showed good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger. Lexus showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions. Apart from the driver’s chest, protection of which was rated as marginal, based on readings of chest compression, all body critical body areas of both front row dummies were well protected.

In the full-width rigid barrier test, good or adequate protection was provided to all critical body areas for both the driver and rear passenger. In the side barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was good and the car scored maximum points in this part of the assessment. In the more severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was adequate and that of other parts of the body was good.

The NX has a countermeasure to mitigate against occupant-to-occupant injuries in such impacts and, while this performed well in Euro NCAP’s test, Lexus was called out that they did not provide additional information to demonstrate that the performance was robust and symmetrical.

Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric analysis of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection as well.

Meanwhile, the Lexus NX’s Lexus Safety Sense passed muster at the Euro NCAP. The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system fitted as standard to the NX can detect vulnerable road users as well as other vehicles. In tests of its response to both pedestrians and cyclists, the system performed well, with collisions avoided or mitigated in most scenarios. The AEB also performed well in tests of its response to other vehicles, with collisions avoided in nearly all cases, and mitigated in others. A lane support system gently steers corrects the vehicle’s path if it is drifting out of lane and can also intervene in some more critical situations to avoid road departure.