The IS’ optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Integra doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.
The IS has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Integra doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.
The IS offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Integra doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.
The IS offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Integra only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.
Both the IS and Integra have rear cross-traffic warning, but the IS offers optional Rear Cross-Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Integra’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.
Both the IS and the Integra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 and rear cross-path warning.
The Lexus IS weighs 496 to 818 pounds more than the Acura Integra. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus IS is safer than the Acura Integra:
|
IS |
Integra |
|
Front Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
142 |
145 |
Abdominal Force |
203 lbs. |
226 lbs. |
|
Rear Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
162 |
239 |
Spine Acceleration |
28 G’s |
60 G’s |
Hip Force |
438 lbs. |
531 lbs. |
|
Into Pole |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Spine Acceleration |
34 G’s |
45 G’s |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.