2022 Lexus NX vs 2022 BMW iX – SUV Crash Test

The passenger compartment of the iX remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy numbers showed good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger. BMW showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions. Analysis of the deceleration of the impact trolley during the test, and analysis of the deformable barrier after the test, revealed that the iX would be an aggressive impact partner in a frontal collision. In the full-width rigid barrier test,
good protection was provided to all critical body areas of the driver and rear passenger, except for the chest of the passenger, protection
of which was adequate. In both the side barrier test and the more severe side pole impact, protection of all critical body areas was good
and the car scored maximum points in this part of the assessment. The iX has a centre airbag to mitigate occupant to occupant injuries in
the event of a lateral collision. In Euro NCAP’s test, the airbag worked well, with good protection of the dummies’ heads. Limitation of the
extent to which a body is thrown to the other side of the car in a side impact was also good. Tests on the front seats and head restraints
demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric analysis of the rear seats also
indicated good whiplash protection. The iX is equipped with an advanced e-Call system which notifies the emergency services in the event
of an accident. A multi-collision braking system is also standard, to prevent secondary collisions. However, the system did not meet
Euro NCAP’s requirements and was not rewarded.

The passenger compartment of the NX remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy numbers showed good protection of the knees
and femurs of both the driver and passenger. Lexus showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different
sizes and to those sitting in different positions. Apart from the driver’s chest, protection of which was rated as marginal, based on readings
of chest compression, all body critical body areas of both front row dummies were well protected. Analysis of the deceleration of the
impact trolley during the test, and analysis of the deformable barrier after the test, revealed that the NXwould be a moderately benign
impact partner in a frontal collision. In the full-width rigid barrier test, good or adequate protection was provided to all critical body areas for
both the driver and rear passenger. In the side barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was good and the car scored maximum
points in this part of the assessment. In the more severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was adequate and that of other parts of
the body was good. Control of excursion (the extent to which a body is thrown to the other side of the vehicle when it is hit from the far
side) was found to be adequate. The NX has a countermeasure to mitigate against occupant-to-occupant injuries in such impacts and,
while this performed well in Euro NCAP’s test, Lexus did not provide additional information to demonstrate that the performance was robust
and symmetrical. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a
rear-end collision. A geometric analysis of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection. The NX has an advanced eCall system
which alerts the emergency services in the event of a crash. The car also has a system which applies the brakes after an impact, to avoid
secondary collisions.

Posted by asami