I don't think you can say the ISx50 is horrible at front end crashes. They are horrible at this 1/4 impact type crash test, yes. And of course that carries into reality.

Now what would be nice to know is what % of accidents classify as this type?? Cause that would really throw a lot of perspective on things.

Sadly I get a feeling that glancing hits like they are actually quite common, as people attempt to avoid collisions but don't quite get there.

Anyone have stats?

 

Does this only apply to the 2012 models?

 

I don't think things are as bad as they are making it seem...

The things the Lexus' did poor on were mostly the structure / restraints area, but, the only injury area that was poor was lower leg / foot.... No difference than the much better scored Acura TSX and 3 series BMW...

So, the car may cost more to repair (like that is repairable anyways?), but injuries will be the same/similar between the IS and the TSX/3 Series...

Also, the VW got a Marginal on structure, but lost a door completely... odd...

One last thing... and I realize that it would be hard to test this dynamic, but, what would happen if the impact was moved over an inch or two one way or the other... I am of the opinion that it may change the results dramatically... the 06 IS survived a "partial offset" with great results... IMO, the test on the best rated Acura TL should be void - look at the videos from above - most cars absorb the impact, the TL deflects off of the barrier. Move the TL to have an inch or two more overlap and I would bet test results are quite different...

Valid test, sure, realistic, hard to say... I'd rather see two cars hit each other like this rather than a solid barrier - not nearly as real world, IMO...

 

Off topic: Hm, what do they do with the cars afterwards?

 

Wow, what the heck happen in the build quality for 2012?

Same test in a 2006 IS and the front door didn't even open, looks like it protected alot better.



2012 Video

 

They look the same, but it's a new test right? Moderate overlap vs small overlap. So it wasn't tested on previous models. Chances are, the results would be similar imo.

 

It's NOT the same test. The 2006 was a 50% overlap, the new test was 25% overlap.

Honestly, I'm not concerned. I didn't buy this car for safety. If I wanted safety I would have bought a Volvo S40. No where near the performance obviously but those are the trade-offs. The fact that only two cars "passed" is not surprising at all. This is a worst case scenario and I don't care if my car is designed to handle worse case or not. Cars are safer than they've ever been, even the worst of them.

 

I'll be honest, it concerns me a little bit (I'll probably forget about it tomorrow though). Ya I'm not gonna go crash into a wall but what if the drunken car behind hits me into a wall? Something that's out of my control.

 

Oh, I thought they were the same test cause it said they were both going 40 mph

 

Previous offset tests (which the IS did very well at) were 50% offset, not 25% offset.

I'd be willing to bet most cars on the road today will probably fail the 25% offset test. Manufacturers build cars to past tests like this, so the more tests the better, in my opinion.

Still, it doesn't make me feel uneasy about the Lexus, nor should it make you feel uneasy. I don't think it means that the IS is unsafe at all, what I do think is that it should make you glad that cars will continue to get even safer in the years to come.

Jeff

 

Not only is there a difference between a 50% offset and a 25% offset, but if you notice video 1. The 2006 IS does not run into SOLID steel as it does in the second video.

 

Wow Lexus sure makes really unsafe vehicles, time to sell my IS and buy an army tank

Really though, if you're that **** about something like this then either buy a tank or take the bus.

 

I dunno. I'd like to see a 40mph 25% offset crash test of a bus please.

Jeff

 

I've been waiting all day to post about this. What we were exposed to today was mostly BS and more yellow journalism. This type of crash is one of the most rare types of crashes in real life. The report fails to highlight this and of course the news media does nothing to point it out either. For the most common types of crashes, the IS tests out very well.
Panic and hype for ratings is overrated and old.

 

ouch. i'm a bit worried about my IS now