The 2019 Lexus ES 350 marked the beginning of a new generation for this popular luxury sedan, bringing with it not only a fresh design and enhanced features but also a renewed focus on safety. For prospective buyers and current owners alike, understanding the safety performance of a vehicle is paramount. This article delves into the comprehensive safety ratings of the 2019 Es 350, providing a detailed analysis of crash test results and preventative safety technologies. We’ll explore how this model performed in various evaluations, offering you a clear picture of the protection the 2019 ES 350 offers to you and your passengers. Data is sourced from rigorous testing and evaluations to give you reliable insights into the safety aspects of the 2019 Lexus ES 350.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Driver and Passenger Side Performance
The small overlap frontal test is designed to simulate what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or a fixed object like a tree or utility pole. This is a particularly challenging test because it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the vehicle. The 2019 ES 350 underwent both driver-side and passenger-side small overlap tests, providing a comprehensive view of its frontal crash protection.
Driver-Side Small Overlap Front
The driver-side small overlap test of the 2019 ES 350 was conducted by both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Toyota, with ratings based on the combined results. The 2019 ES 350 earned a “Good” rating, the highest possible, in this demanding evaluation.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The structural performance of the 2019 ES 350 was rated “Good,” indicating that the safety cage effectively maintained its integrity during the crash. Measurements of driver injury risk were also “Good” across all body regions—head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot. Furthermore, the driver restraints and dummy kinematics were deemed “Good,” signifying effective airbag deployment and occupant control.
Technical measurements from the tests further illustrate the minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment and low injury measures, reinforcing the “Good” rating and the robust safety design of the 2019 ES 350 in driver-side small overlap crashes.
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front
The passenger-side small overlap frontal rating for the 2019 ES 350 is also “Good,” based on a test conducted by Toyota and evaluated by the IIHS. This ensures that passengers in the 2019 ES 350 receive the same high level of protection in a similar frontal crash scenario.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Chest | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The “Good” rating across all categories for the passenger side, mirroring the driver side results, confirms the consistent safety performance of the 2019 Lexus ES 350 for all front occupants in small overlap frontal crashes.
Moderate Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Original Test
In the moderate overlap frontal test, a vehicle travels at 40 mph towards a deformable barrier that overlaps 40% of the vehicle’s front width. This test is designed to represent a typical head-on collision between two vehicles of similar weight. The 2019 Lexus ES 350 again achieved a “Good” rating in this test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Left | G |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The structure of the 2019 ES 350 held up well, and injury measures for the driver were low, earning “Good” ratings for head/neck, chest, and legs/feet. This consistent “Good” performance across different frontal crash scenarios underscores the robust frontal impact protection engineered into the 2019 Lexus ES 350.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Test
The side impact test simulates a vehicle being struck by another vehicle in a typical intersection crash. A 3,300-pound SUV-like barrier strikes the driver’s side of the vehicle at 31 mph. The 2019 Lexus ES 350 demonstrated “Good” performance in the side crash test, ensuring occupant safety in side-impact collisions.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Torso | G |
| Driver injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Torso | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
The 2019 ES 350 provided excellent protection in a side impact, with “Good” ratings for both driver and rear passenger injury measures, as well as head protection. The structural integrity and effective side airbags contribute to this high level of safety.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test evaluates the structural integrity of the roof in a rollover accident. The roof of the 2019 Lexus ES 350 proved to be strong, earning a “Good” rating.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.76 |
With a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.76, the roof of the 2019 ES 350 can withstand over five times the vehicle’s weight, significantly reducing the risk of roof crush and associated injuries in a rollover.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection in rear-end collisions is crucial for occupant safety. The 2019 Lexus ES 350’s head restraints and seats were evaluated for their geometry and dynamic performance in simulated rear impacts, achieving a “Good” overall rating.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
The “Good” dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry confirm that the 2019 ES 350 is designed to effectively minimize whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
Headlights Evaluation
Headlight performance is a critical aspect of nighttime driving safety. The 2019 Lexus ES 350 offers different headlight options, which were individually evaluated.
Premium Triple-Beam LED Headlamps Package
For 2019 ES 350 trims equipped with the Premium Triple-Beam LED headlamps package, the headlight system received a “Good” overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | G |
These headlights provide good visibility on straightaways and curves, with high-beam assist further enhancing visibility. While low beams created some glare, the overall performance is top-tier.
Standard LED Projector Headlights
The standard LED projector headlights on the 2019 ES 350 trims received an “Acceptable” overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | A |
These headlights offer good visibility on the straightaway and gradual right curves, but visibility is inadequate on left curves. High-beam assist compensates for some limitations, but the performance is not as strong as the premium option.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Pedestrian
The 2019 Lexus ES 350 comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection. This system was evaluated for both vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian front crash prevention.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention
The vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system of the 2019 ES 350 earned a “Superior” rating.
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| 12 mph test | Collision Avoided |
| 25 mph test | Collision Avoided |
The 2019 ES 350 successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle tests, demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing front crashes.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Day)
The pedestrian front crash prevention system also earned an “Advanced” rating.
| Overall evaluation | Advanced |
|---|---|
| Crossing child (12 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Crossing child (25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Crossing adult (12 mph) | Impact speed reduced by 11 mph |
| Crossing adult (25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel adult (25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel adult (37 mph) | Impact speed reduced by 17 mph |
The system effectively avoided collisions with a crossing child at both test speeds and with a crossing adult at 25 mph. It also significantly reduced impact speed in other pedestrian scenarios, showcasing robust pedestrian protection capabilities.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
For families with young children, the ease of use of child seat anchors is important. The LATCH system in the 2019 Lexus ES 350 was rated “Good+ for ease of use.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Number of rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware | 2 |
The 2019 ES 350 has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware, and tether anchors are easy to locate and use, making it convenient to install child seats securely.
Conclusion
The 2019 Lexus ES 350 stands out as a vehicle prioritizing safety, as evidenced by its consistently high ratings in IIHS crash tests and front crash prevention evaluations. Earning “Good” ratings in all crashworthiness tests, and “Superior” and “Advanced” ratings for front crash prevention systems, the 2019 ES 350 offers peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike. Whether it’s frontal, side, rollover crashes, or preventative technologies, the 2019 Lexus ES 350 is designed to provide excellent protection, making it a top consideration for safety-conscious car buyers.
