x10civ

When we originally purchased the car back in 2011 - we were given a nice glossy brochure - part of which stated that the car had x12 airbags which was confirmed by the salesman at the time.

I can only count x10 !

I asked Lexus NZ about this and their reply was as follows:

Over the last few years I understand a number of manufacturers - including ourselves - changed the way airbags were counted/marketed, to achieve consistency across the industry. You are correct, in that the number/coverage of Lexus RX airbags certainly hasn't changed.

The most significant change was to how front and rear curtain airbags are counted. Traditionally, they were counted by some manufacturers as four - given they specifically protect four occupants - while the industry standard count for curtain airbags is now two (RH and LH Front and Rear Curtain Shield). A comparison between the previous and current 'counts' follows below:

Previous Count:
1. Driver Steering wheel airbag
2. Driver Knee airbag
3. Front Passenger Instrument Panel airbag 4. Front Passenger Knee airbag 5. Driver Seat Side airbag 6. Front Passenger Seat Side airbag 7. RH Outer Rear Passenger Seat Side airbag 8. LH Outer Rear Passenger Seat Side airbag 9. Driver Curtain Shield airbag 10. Front Passenger Curtain Shield airbag 11. RH Outer Rear Passenger Curtain Shield airbag 12. LH Outer Rear Passenger Curtain Shield airbag.

Current Count:
1. Driver Steering wheel airbag
2. Driver Knee airbag
3. Front Passenger Instrument Panel airbag 4. Front Passenger Knee airbag 5. Driver Seat Side airbag 6. Front Passenger Seat Side airbag 7. RH Outer Rear Passenger Seat Side airbag 8. LH Outer Rear Passenger Seat Side airbag 9. Driver and RH Outer Rear Passenger Curtain Shield airbag (RH Front and Rear Curtain Shield airbags) 10. Front Passenger and LH Outer Rear Passenger Curtain Shield airbag (LH Front and Rear Curtain Shield airbags).

Apologies for the rather wordy response, but I do hope it allays your airbag-related concerns.


Just wondering if this is correct - or is it smoke and mirrors ?

RXSF

Actually the dealership might be telling the truth. I have noticed the same reduction in some other brand's airbag count.

x10civ

Thanks RXSF for your feedback.

I stand corrected !

RXSF

It gets even more confusing when automakers decide to use 10 way protection or another number "way protection" instead of actual airbag count. hah