Both the NX and Rogue have rear cross-traffic warning, but the NX offers optional Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Rogue’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.
Both the NX and the Rogue have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.
Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus NX is safer than the Rogue:
|
NX |
Rogue |
Overall Evaluation |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
Structure |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
Driver Injury Measures |
|
Head/Neck |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Head Injury Criterion |
197 |
290 |
Head Peak Forces |
no contact |
81 G’s |
Neck Tension |
156 lbs. |
245 lbs. |
Neck Compression |
22 lbs. |
45 lbs. |
Torso |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Shoulder Deflection |
.55 in |
.94 in |
Shoulder Force |
201 lbs. |
245 lbs. |
Torso Deflection Rate |
4 MPH |
6 MPH |
Head Protection |
GOOD |
MARGINAL |
|
Passenger Injury Measures |
|
Head/Neck |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Head Injury Criterion |
252 |
455 |
Head Peak Forces |
65 G’s |
89 G’s |
Neck Compression |
134 lbs. |
402 lbs. |
Torso |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Shoulder Deflection |
.83 in |
1.22 in |
Shoulder Force |
223 lbs. |
379 lbs. |
Pelvis |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Head Protection |
ACCEPTABLE |
MARGINAL |
For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the NX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 30 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Rogue is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2023.