New 2008 Lexus RX 350 Safety Review [ 2009 ]
Based on analysis of 24 RX 350 reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Lexus RX 350 offers plenty of standard safety features and class-competing advanced accident avoidance technology. The Lexus RX performs admirably in government crash-testing.
It earns a top score of five stars for driver-side and passenger-side safety in frontal crash tests. It also earns five stars for the front and rear seats in side crash tests. The RX earns a top rating of "Good" in tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Accident Avoidance
The 2008 Lexus RX 350 comes standard with an anti-lock braking system with Brake Assist, which helps reduce stopping time and increase control. The Chicago Tribune reports that brake force distribution on the 2008 Lexus RX 350 "uses sensors to trigger the pedal at full force when it detects you've suddenly touched the pedal while traveling at speed."
Crash Protection
The 2008 Lexus RX 350 comes equipped with eight air bags with accompanying sensors, which Lexus calls the Supplemental Restraint System. Included are front seat-mounted side air bags, a driver's dual-stage air bag, a front passenger's dual-stage air bag, front and rear roll-sensing side curtain air bags and a driver's knee air bag. Dual-stage front air bags deploy at two different speeds depending on the severity of the frontal impact and the position of the driver's seat. The 2008 Lexus RX 350 is structurally reinforced with front and rear crumple zones, daytime running lights, a system that alerts you when the tire pressure is low and a theft-deterrent system.
The Adaptive Front Lighting System, featured in various package options for the 2008 Lexus RX 350, helps shine light on more of the road by angling headlamps during a turn. The Orlando Sentinel especially liked this option. Cars.com adds that "The road in front of me is more illuminated this way. The eerie sensation that I'm driving with eyeballs instead of headlights fades quickly as I grow to love it. It adds a human touch to the vehicle."
Advanced Safety Systems
The 2008 Lexus RX 350 comes with advanced safety features such as Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control. Vehicle Stability Control is an electronic system that aids drivers by controlling a detected sideslip and helps control it by applying the brakes and reducing the throttle, aiding in keeping the car on track. Traction Control can sense the loss of traction in a turn or during slippery conditions, and applies the brakes and transfers power to the steering wheel in order to help keep the car on track. The 2008 Lexus RX 350 also comes in an all-wheel drive trim option.
