2008 Lexus ES Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 44 ES reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Lexus ES comes full of standard safety features, and does very well in government and insurance industry crash tests.
In government crash tests, the 2008 ES earned five stars for both the driver and front passenger's protection in frontal impacts, and five stars for the front seat occupants protection in side crashes. The ES also earned four out of five stars for the backseat occupants' protection in side crashes, and has a four-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the ES the highest rating, "Good," in both frontal offset and side impact tests.
Accident Avoidance
The 2008 Lexus ES comes full of standard safety features. According to government crash tests, it receives five of five stars for driver and front passenger protection in frontal impact crash tests, as well as front seat protection in side impact tests. Rear seat passengers receive a protection score of four of five stars in side impact crash tests.
Electronic Stability and Traction Control, and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and brake assist come standard on the 2008 Lexus ES 350. The electronic traction control system is particularly innovative in that it uses both the brakes and the throttle to control wheel spin. "I felt reassured by the ES350's standard electronic stability control, which helps the driver keep control in a sudden swerve," writes About.com.
For test drivers, the most talked about accident avoidance features, however, are the optional Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Lexus's Pre-Collision System. When engaged, the Dynamic Radar Cruise control uses sensors to detect and adjust speeds according to traffic conditions without driver input. The Pre-Collision System uses sensors to detect collisions before they happen. Once a collision is detected, the system primes the brakes, which lessens the collision speed.
Crash Protection
With a total of up to 10 airbags, the Lexus appears well-equipped to provide safety in a crash. The driver and front passenger are protected by four air bags, while rear passengers have a standard side-curtain air bag and an optional side seat-mounted air bag. Lexus has even engineered the front air bags to deploy in stages, which lessens neck and back stress. Though the optional Lexus Pre-Collision System is meant to help avoid accidents, in the event of a crash, the system also helps protect passengers. Prior to contact, the system tightens seatbelts, securing occupants in their seats.
