The Lexus ES 350, a popular luxury sedan, has consistently earned high safety ratings, making it a top choice for safety-conscious drivers. This article delves into the safety performance of the 2021 Lexus Es 350, drawing upon data from rigorous crash tests to provide a comprehensive overview of its safety features and structural integrity. This analysis is based on detailed reports, ensuring accuracy and objectivity, to help you make informed decisions about vehicle safety.
Small Overlap Front: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test is particularly challenging, as it assesses how well a vehicle protects occupants when only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier. The 2021 Lexus ES 350 underwent this demanding test, and the results are highly encouraging.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The Lexus ES 350 achieved a “Good” rating in all categories for the driver-side small overlap front test. This indicates robust protection for the driver in this type of severe frontal collision. The structural integrity of the safety cage was maintained, and injury measures for the head, neck, chest, hip, thigh, and lower leg/foot were all rated “Good,” signifying a low risk of significant injuries in a real-world crash scenario. The vehicle’s restraint systems and dummy kinematics also performed admirably, ensuring the driver is securely positioned during the impact.
Action shot from the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test of the 2021 Lexus ES 350, highlighting vehicle crashworthiness.
Post-crash dummy position in the 2021 Lexus ES 350 driver-side small overlap test, showing excellent survival space maintenance.
Frontal and side curtain airbags deployment in the 2021 Lexus ES 350 small overlap test, effectively protecting the driver’s head.
Driver’s space integrity in the 2021 Lexus ES 350 after small overlap crash test, demonstrating minimal risk of leg and foot injuries.
Technical Measurements: Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
The following measurements provide detailed technical data from the driver-side small overlap front crash tests, further illustrating the vehicle’s performance.
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (Institute Test) | Measurement (Toyota Test) |
|---|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1812 | VTN1810 |
| Lower Occupant Compartment | ||
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 1 | 1 |
| Footrest (cm) | 2 | 3 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 1 | 4 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 2 | 3 |
| Parking brake (cm) | N/A | N/A |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 0 | 0 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment | ||
| Steering column | 0 | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 1 | 1 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 2 | 1 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 3 | 2 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (Institute Test) | Measurement (Toyota Test) |
|---|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1812 | VTN1810 |
| Head | ||
| HIC-15 | 139 | 175 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact | no contact |
| Neck | ||
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 20 | 19 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.19 | 0.28 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 21 | 25 |
| Femur (kN) | ||
| Left | 0.6 | 0.7 |
| Right | 0.6 | 1.0 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | ||
| Left | 0 | 1 |
| Right | 0 | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | ||
| Left | 0 | 0 |
| Right | 0 | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | ||
| Left | 0.40 | 0.47 |
| Right | 0.60 | 0.55 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | ||
| Left | 2.1 | 2.4 |
| Right | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | ||
| Left | 50 | 59 |
| Right | 45 | 51 |
Small Overlap Front: Passenger-Side Evaluation
The passenger-side small overlap front test mirrors the driver-side test but evaluates protection for the front passenger. Like the driver-side, the 2021 Lexus ES 350 also demonstrated excellent passenger protection in this scenario.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The 2021 Lexus ES 350 secured “Good” ratings across the board for passenger-side protection. This comprehensive “Good” rating signifies that both the driver and front passenger can expect a high level of safety in a small overlap frontal crash. The consistent performance across both sides underscores the robust safety engineering of the Lexus ES 350.
Technical Measurements: Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Passenger Side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP1822 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 4 |
| Footrest (cm) | 8 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 12 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 10 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 1 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Center dash (cm) | 3 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 3 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 4 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 3 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP1822 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 190 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 12 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 22 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 1.7 |
| Right | 1.8 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 4 |
| Right | 5 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.42 |
| Right | 0.41 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 2.8 |
| Right | 2.9 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 114 |
| Right | 82 |
Driver Injury Measures (Passenger-Side Test)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP1822 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 132 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.23 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 23 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.7 |
| Right | 1.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.45 |
| Right | 0.42 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 0.9 |
| Right | 2.0 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 82 |
| Right | 63 |
Moderate Overlap Front: Original Test Performance
In the moderate overlap front test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts the barrier. The 2021 Lexus ES 350 again achieved the highest possible rating in this assessment.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, left | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, right | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
Earning a “Good” rating across all metrics in the moderate overlap front test further solidifies the 2021 Lexus ES 350’s frontal crash protection capabilities. This test demonstrates the vehicle’s ability to effectively manage crash forces and protect the driver from serious injuries in a more common type of frontal collision.
Technical Measurements: Moderate Overlap Front Test
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1822 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 6 |
| Left (cm) | 9 |
| Center (cm) | 8 |
| Right (cm) | 4 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 3 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 1 |
| Right (cm) | 2 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 1 |
| Rearward (cm) | -2 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 1 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1822 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 341 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 17 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.27 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 30 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 0.8 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.7 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 2 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.30 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.48 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.5 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 2.2 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 90 |
| Right | 74 |
Side Impact: Original Test Performance
Side-impact collisions pose significant risks, and evaluating a vehicle’s side protection is crucial. The 2021 Lexus ES 350 excelled in the side crash test, achieving “Good” ratings across all assessed categories for both driver and rear passenger protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Driver head protection | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good (G) |
The “Good” ratings in side impact protection for both front and rear occupants highlight the effectiveness of the Lexus ES 350’s side airbags and structural design in mitigating injuries in side collisions. This comprehensive protection for all occupants is a significant safety feature.
Technical Measurements: Side Impact Test
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side
| Test ID | Measurement |
|---|---|
| VTS1820 | -22.0 cm |
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1820 |
| Head HIC-15 | 391 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.39 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.49 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.4 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.6 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 70 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 35 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1820 |
| Head HIC-15 | 124 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 9 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 1.45 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.21 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Combined force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 55 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | -31 |
Roof Strength Evaluation
Roof strength is a critical factor in rollover accidents. The 2021 Lexus ES 350’s roof demonstrated excellent strength, earning a “Good” rating.
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,657 lbs |
| Peak force | 21,051 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.76 |
The Lexus ES 350’s roof strength-to-weight ratio of 5.76 significantly exceeds the minimum requirement, indicating that the roof can withstand forces over five times the vehicle’s weight. This strong roof structure provides vital protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints and Seats
Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end collisions, and effective head restraints are essential to mitigate this risk. The 2021 Lexus ES 350’s head restraints and seats were evaluated and received a “Good” overall rating.
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good (G) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good (G) |
The “Good” rating for head restraints and seats indicates that the 2021 Lexus ES 350 is designed to effectively minimize whiplash injuries in rear impacts. The seat geometry and dynamic performance of the head restraint system contribute to this safety feature.
Technical Measurements: Head Restraints & Seats
| Seat type | Power leatherette seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 28 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 2 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 15.1 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 62 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 445 |
Headlight Performance
Effective headlights are crucial for accident prevention, especially during nighttime driving. The 2021 Lexus ES 350 offers different headlight options, with the Premium Triple-Beam LED headlamps package achieving a “Good” overall rating.
Premium Triple-Beam LED Headlamps Package
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Good (G) |
The Premium Triple-Beam LED headlights on the 2021 Lexus ES 350 provide “Good” visibility in various driving conditions, including straightaways and curves, with both low and high beams. Features like curve-adaptive lighting and high-beam assist further enhance nighttime safety.
Standard LED Headlights
The standard LED headlights on the 2021 Lexus ES 350 received an “Acceptable” rating, indicating good performance but with some areas for potential improvement compared to the premium option.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Acceptable (A) |
While still offering good visibility in many scenarios, the standard LED headlights have some limitations, particularly on curves. However, high-beam assist helps compensate for these limitations, improving overall nighttime driving safety.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Advanced front crash prevention systems are increasingly important in reducing accidents. The 2021 Lexus ES 350 comes standard with Lexus Safety System + 2.0, which includes a Pre-Collision System.
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Front Crash Prevention | Superior |
The Lexus ES 350’s standard front crash prevention system earned a “Superior” rating. It successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle tests. This system provides a significant safety advantage by actively working to prevent frontal collisions. However, it’s noted that the system does not fully meet the requirements for forward collision warning.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian safety is also a key consideration. The 2021 Lexus ES 350’s pedestrian detection system, part of the Pre-Collision System, was rated “Advanced”.
| Overall evaluation | Advanced |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Day) | Advanced |
The “Advanced” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention signifies that the system effectively detects and reacts to pedestrians in daytime conditions. It avoided collisions with a crossing child in both tests and demonstrated significant speed reduction in adult crossing and parallel adult scenarios. This system contributes to enhanced safety for pedestrians.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Ease of use and effectiveness of child seat anchors (LATCH) are crucial for child passenger safety. The 2021 Lexus ES 350 received a “Good+” rating for its LATCH system, indicating it is easy to use and provides secure child seat installation.
| Overall evaluation | Good+ |
|---|---|
| LATCH system | Good+ |
The “Good+” rating for LATCH reflects the Lexus ES 350’s provision of easily accessible and user-friendly child seat anchors in multiple rear seating positions. This makes it simpler for parents to correctly install child seats, maximizing child passenger safety.
Child Seat Anchor Details
| Position | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Good | Tether anchor easy-to-find, Lower anchors not too deep, easy to maneuver around |
| 2 | Good | Tether anchor easy-to-find, No lower anchors available |
| 3 | Good | Tether anchor easy-to-find, Lower anchors not too deep, easy to maneuver around |
Conclusion
The 2021 Lexus ES 350 stands out as a vehicle with exceptional safety performance. Consistently achieving “Good” ratings in crash tests across various categories, and “Superior”/ “Advanced” ratings for front crash prevention systems, the ES 350 offers a high level of protection for occupants and pedestrians alike. Whether it’s frontal, side, rollover, or rear-end collisions, the Lexus ES 350 is engineered with safety as a paramount consideration. For those prioritizing safety in a luxury sedan, the 2021 Lexus ES 350 is a compelling choice, offering peace of mind and advanced safety technologies.
