The Lexus NX has earned the title of Top Safety Pick 2025 from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), confirming its top-tier safety credentials under stricter evaluation criteria.
IIHS, the U.S. counterpart to Euro NCAP, updated its testing methods this year, especially raising the bar for second-row passenger protection—an essential factor for family vehicles. Due to the heightened standards, only 48 vehicles made the 2025 safety awards list, down 21 from the previous year.
To qualify, vehicles must perform exceptionally in front and side crash tests, have effective headlight systems, and score well in pedestrian collision prevention. The Lexus NX stood out across all these areas and received added praise for its easy-to-use child seat mounts in the second row.
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The NX was also the first Lexus to debut the third generation of Lexus Safety System +, an advanced suite of driver assistance tools.
This system identifies a wider range of hazards and benefits from over-the-air updates via the DCM module—eliminating the need for service visits. It’s now standard across Lexus crossovers and SUVs, from the compact LBX to the luxury LM van.
Lexus Safety System +3 includes a robust Pre-Collision System that detects pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and vehicles crossing at intersections.
Other key features include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic and adaptive high beams, and—depending on trim—blind spot monitoring, rear and front cross traffic alerts, and expressway overtaking assist.
Innovative safety tech continues to evolve across the Lexus lineup. The NX introduced e-latch digital door handles with Safe Exit Assist (SEA), which prevents doors from opening if a car or cyclist is approaching from behind.
This feature has since become standard on nearly all Lexus models. Meanwhile, the RX and RZ have launched driver monitoring cameras, and even the smallest LBX now offers this system.
Another breakthrough is the Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS), which safely halts the vehicle if the driver becomes unresponsive due to illness or distraction, automatically activating hazard lights to alert others.
These developments underline Lexus’s commitment to advancing safety tech that not only protects occupants but also promotes safer roads for everyone.
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