2007 Lexus RX Hybrid Safety Review [ 2008 ]
Lexus RX Hybrid Safety Review
Safety - NA
Reviewers are very pleased with the RX Hybrid's safety features. While the hybrid model has not been crash tested, the non-hybrid RX received the highest rating of "good" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for frontal offset tests.
The 2007 Lexus RX Hybrid has installed a variety of safety systems to help ensure the well-being of its drivers and passengers, and reviewers are of one accord on the "exquisite" safety features provided, as AllAutoReviews.com describes.
Accident Avoidance
One of the most popular items among auto writers that the 2007 Lexus RX Hybrid provides is a vehicle stability control system called Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management. VDIM is designed to anticipate any instability on the road and stabilize the RX's handling. As Automotive News says, with its proper name, VDIM, "better be good. It is. Forget ordinary traction control -- the system anticipates wheel spin and take corrective action before the vehicle becomes unstable."
Other features that assist in accident avoidance include electronic traction control, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, braking assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. The 2007 Lexus RX Hybrid also comes with a four-sensor direct tire pressure monitoring system.
Crash Protection
In case an accident were to occur, all RX Hybrids have advanced front, side seat-mounted, side curtain roll sensing and knee air bags for the driver as well as advanced front, side seat-mounted air bags and side curtain roll sensing air bags for the front passenger. Rear passengers receive side curtain roll sensing air bags. The RX Hybrid has side impact door beams for impact resistance, front and rear crumple zones, both a collapsible steering column as well as a collapsible brake and driver's footrest pedals. In terms of seat belts, all positions receive three-point seat belts with seat belt-anchor-height adjusters for the front seats. There is also a locking seat belt control and child restrain seat tether anchor brackets for the rear outboard seating positions.
The 2007 Lexus RX has not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the IIHS, but the non-hybrid version of the RX receives "good" ratings in frontal offset tests from the IIHS. No side impact tests were conducted, but the Lexus RX 330 receives a "poor" overall rating in rear crash protection.
Advanced Safety Systems
Another optional feature that speaks toward the 2007 Lexus RX Hybrid's safety is the dynamic laser cruise control. This system uses laser technology to automatically adjust vehicle speed, to help maintain a certain distance between your vehicle and the vehicles ahead of you.
