The new Lexus UX crossover has achieved the maximum 5-star vehicle safety rating in the latest 2019 Euro NCAP test results.
Whilst its bold design expresses unmistakable style, the new UX is one of the safest cars of its kind for driver and passengers (96% adult occupant protection score and 85% child occupant protection score), one of the highest of any car tested under the new, more stringent 2019 test regime, and best-in-class for pedestrians and cyclists protection Automated Emergency Braking (82% vulnerable road user protection score).
Featuring the latest version of Lexus Safety System +, the brand’s advanced package of active safety technologies, the new Lexus crossover also boasts outstanding passive safety credentials resulting from its ultra-rigid Global Architecture-C platform and 8 airbags fitted as standard.
This second generation of Lexus Safety System + incorporates several new features to help prevent or mitigate accidents. These include daytime cyclist detection and now also night-time pedestrian detection as part of the enhanced Pre-Collision System (PCS). Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Lane Tracing Assist provide SAE level-2 automated driving support – aiming at reducing driver operation while remaining in control of the vehicle.
Lexus Safety System + is now available on 99% of Lexus models sold in Europe, in line with the brand’s commitment that the benefits of advanced safety technologies are not limited to high-end, high-specification models, but are made available across the complete Lexus range.
The latest system includes the following:
- Pre-Collision System, now with pedestrian night-time detection and daytime cyclist detection
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Road Sign Assist
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Automatic High Beam
PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM
The Pre-Collision System on the new UX can now detect pedestrians even in low light conditions and bicycles during daytime. To achieve this, the camera sensitivity and dynamic range have been enhanced to help reduce accidents in the dark – when, for example, a pedestrian in front of an oncoming vehicle is difficult to see due to the vehicle’s lights.
Furthermore, the millimetre-wave radar detection area angle has been widened, enabling bicycles to be detected. If the system judges that the possibility of a collision is high, the brakes are automatically applied to support collision avoidance, or reduce damage in the event of a collision.
DYNAMIC RADAR CRUISE CONTROL
The system uses the millimetre-wave radar sensor and a camera to detect the vehicle in front and provide control to maintain an appropriate distance. If the vehicle in front comes to a halt, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control will stop the UX. When the vehicle moves off again, the UX will start off and continue following. This system reduces the burden on the driver in situations requiring frequent starting and stopping.
ROAD SIGN ASSIST
The Road Sign Assist (RSA) system on the new UX recognises traffic signs and provides information to the driver via the multi-information display. When linked to Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, the car’s speed setting can, at the touch of a button, be quickly reset in accordance with the speed limit recognised by RSA. RSA identifies all important road signs and warnings, including electroluminescent and flashing signs.
LANE TRACING ASSIST
Lane Tracing Assist helps the driver to keep the UX in the centre of the lane. It also provides assistance when driving around bends, with a tighter radius than the previous system. When it determines that there is a possibility of the UX departing from the lane, the system will switch to departure prevention control, providing support for returning the car to the centre of the lane.
AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM
Available as standard with the Lexus Safety System +, Automatic High Beam (AHB) automatically turns the high beam lamps off if another vehicle is detected and on again once the vehicle is gone. An even more sophisticated system is available as an option on the UX: Adaptive High-beam System (AHS) comes with triple-beam LED headlamps and is designed to provide enhanced night-time visibility while controlling dazzle for oncoming vehicles. Eleven independent LED chips integrated in the headlamps are enabled/disabled following the path of preceding or oncoming vehicles for precise control of the illuminated and non-illuminated areas.