If you’re considering a Lexus RZ, new or used, there’s a good chance that **safety ratings and crash‑test results** are near the top of your checklist. The good news: independent tests show the Lexus RZ is one of the safest electric SUVs on the road, but there are a few important caveats and recall notes you should understand before you buy.
Headline takeaway
Lexus RZ safety overview
The Lexus RZ is the brand’s first dedicated battery‑electric SUV, sharing its underlying platform with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. From day one, Lexus positioned the RZ as a **safety‑first family EV**, loading it with the latest Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 driver‑assist suite and structural upgrades designed around heavy battery packs and crash energy management.
- Standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 on all trims (RZ 300e and 450e)
- Advanced front crash prevention with **Superior** scores in pedestrian tests
- Strong Euro NCAP crash ratings with 5‑star overall performance for 2023–2025 models
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recognition for 2024 models in the U.S.
- Multiple safety‑related recalls (defroster, camera) that have software fixes available at dealers
Model years that matter
Lexus RZ crash test ratings by agency
Three organizations matter most when you look up **Lexus RZ safety ratings and crash tests**: Euro NCAP (Europe), IIHS (U.S.), and NHTSA (U.S.). Here’s how the RZ stacks up with each and what those scores actually mean for you.
Euro NCAP results: what 5 stars actually mean
Lexus RZ Euro NCAP safety scores (2023 rating)
Euro NCAP tested the Lexus RZ 450e and awarded it a **5‑star overall rating**, with 87% scores for both adult and child occupants, plus high marks for protecting pedestrians and cyclists. For a family SUV, that’s exactly what you want to see: consistently strong performance across all categories, not just good crash structure but also active safety systems that help prevent a crash in the first place.
IIHS crash tests and Top Safety Pick+ status
In the U.S., the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has evaluated the RZ and, for 2024, named it a **Top Safety Pick+**, the organization’s highest overall recognition under its latest, tougher criteria. That award reflects strong crashworthiness and advanced crash‑avoidance performance:
- Good ratings in IIHS crashworthiness tests (including small overlap and side impacts)
- Standard front crash prevention system with **Superior** ratings in daytime and nighttime pedestrian tests for 2023–2025 RZ models
- Acceptable or better performance in updated side‑impact and headlight evaluations, depending on trim
Pedestrian crash prevention
What we know about NHTSA tests for the RZ
As of early 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not published a full set of frontal, side, and rollover star ratings for every RZ variant the way it has for some other Lexus SUVs. That’s not unusual, newer EVs sometimes go several model years before NHTSA runs complete tests. In the meantime, many shoppers rely on the **IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and Euro NCAP’s 5‑star rating** as the best available proxies for overall crash performance.
Don’t confuse IIHS with NHTSA
Key Lexus RZ safety features explained
Crash‑test scores tell you how the structure and restraints perform in a lab. But your day‑to‑day safety in a Lexus RZ also depends heavily on its active‑safety technology. Every RZ sold in the U.S. comes standard with **Lexus Safety System+ 3.0**, plus additional driver‑assist features depending on trim and options.
Core safety systems on the Lexus RZ
What you get on every trim, and what’s extra
Collision avoidance
- Pre‑Collision System with pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorcyclist detection
- Automatic emergency braking (roughly 7–110 mph)
- Intersection support that can brake if you turn across oncoming traffic
Lane & highway assist
- All‑speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with curve speed management
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist & Lane Tracing Assist
- Available Traffic Jam Assist for low‑speed, hands‑on or limited hands‑off driving on highways (subscription‑based)
Visibility & blind‑spot tech
- Automatic High Beams; available Adaptive High‑Beam System
- Standard Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross‑Traffic Alert
- Available front cross‑traffic alert and parking assist with rear pedestrian detection
Passive safety: what protects you in a crash
- Rigid cabin structure designed around the heavy battery pack
- Multiple front, side, curtain, and knee airbags
- Seatbelt pre‑tensioners and load limiters tuned for EV crash pulses
- Whiplash‑reduction front seats and head restraints
Active safety: what helps avoid crashes
- Camera and radar sensors watching for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists
- Emergency steering assist that adds steering torque in evasive maneuvers
- Proactive lane‑keeping and traffic‑jam support on select trims
- Digital rear‑view mirror and 360° camera systems on higher trims
Great tech still needs good habits
Real‑world safety: recalls and known issues
Crash tests assume everything on the vehicle is working properly. In real life, software glitches and component failures can create new safety risks. The Lexus RZ has been involved in a few notable recalls that shoppers, especially used‑EV buyers, should know about.
Key safety‑related recalls affecting the Lexus RZ
Summary of high‑impact recalls on early‑production RZ models. Exact campaign numbers and coverage depend on build date and market.
| Issue | Model years affected (approx.) | Risk | Typical dealer fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC / defroster software fault | 2023–2025 | Windshield may not defrost or defog properly in cold or humid conditions, hurting visibility. | Free HVAC control software update; in some cases, compressor replacement. |
| Rear‑view camera display glitch (shared Toyota/Lexus recall) | 2022–2026 (select vehicles incl. some RZ builds) | Camera image may freeze or go blank when reversing, violating rear‑visibility rules. | Parking assist / camera software update performed free of charge. |
| Ongoing EV platform software tweaks | Various early builds | Non‑critical drivability or warning‑light behavior that can still impact driver confidence. | Updated control‑unit software and, occasionally, hardware checks. |
Always run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup tool or a Lexus dealer before you buy a used RZ.
Why defroster and camera recalls matter
For buyers in the used market, this is where a transparent inspection process becomes critical. On Recharged, every used EV, including the Lexus RZ, comes with a **Recharged Score Report** that flags open safety recalls, documents completed repairs, and verifies systems like cameras, defrosters, and ADAS sensors are operating as they should.
How the Lexus RZ compares with other EV SUVs
If you’re cross‑shopping the RZ against rivals like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, or its Toyota and Subaru cousins, the big picture is encouraging: the Lexus RZ belongs near the top of the pack on safety.
Lexus RZ vs popular EV SUV rivals (safety snapshot)
High‑level view, always double‑check details for the exact year and trim you’re considering.
Lexus RZ vs Tesla Model Y
- Both typically earn strong crash scores and advanced crash‑avoidance ratings.
- RZ leans into traditional, predictable driver‑assist behavior; Model Y’s systems can feel more aggressive.
- Lexus dealer network may offer a more familiar service experience for some buyers.
Lexus RZ vs Ioniq 5 / EV6
- Hyundai/Kia EVs also post excellent safety scores and robust ADAS suites.
- RZ emphasizes quiet refinement and conservative tuning, which some drivers prefer.
- All three offer strong pedestrian‑protection and safety‑assist scores in Euro NCAP and IIHS testing.
Lexus RZ vs bZ4X / Solterra
- Shares the same basic EV platform, but the Lexus interior and NVH tuning feel more premium.
- Safety fundamentals (crash structure, airbag layout) are very similar.
- If you like the Toyota/Subaru tech but want a luxury cabin, the RZ is the upscale choice.
Where the RZ stands out
- Top‑tier Euro NCAP and IIHS recognition out of the gate.
- Standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 across the lineup.
- Quiet, stable driving manners that make long trips less tiring and help you stay alert.
Bottom line in context
Safety checklist for shopping a used Lexus RZ
When you’re looking at a used RZ, whether at a franchise dealer, independent lot, or online marketplace, it’s easy to get laser‑focused on price and range. Don’t. Use this **safety‑first checklist** to separate solid, well‑maintained examples from problem children.
10 safety checks before you buy a used Lexus RZ
1. Run a VIN recall check
Go to the NHTSA recall lookup tool or call a Lexus dealer to confirm that all **HVAC/defroster** and **rear‑view camera** software recalls have been performed. Ask for printed service records if possible.
2. Confirm model year and crash ratings
Verify the exact build year on the door‑jamb label, then cross‑check crash ratings on IIHS and (where available) NHTSA to confirm the RZ you’re buying aligns with the published test results.
3. Inspect windshield and cameras
Look for cracks, chips, or windshield replacements that might affect the forward camera. On a test drive, confirm lane‑keeping and adaptive cruise work normally and that no ADAS warning lights are present.
4. Test the defroster and HVAC
On a cold or humid day, make sure the defroster quickly clears the windshield. If it struggles or blows only lukewarm air, ask whether the HVAC software update was performed.
5. Check headlights and high beams
Verify all lighting modes, low beams, high beams, automatic high beams, work properly. Proper headlight performance is a key part of modern safety ratings.
6. Confirm airbag and ABS lights
When you switch the ignition on, you should see airbag, ABS, and other warning lights briefly illuminate and then turn off. Persistent warning lights are a red flag that needs a diagnostic scan.
7. Evaluate tires and brakes
Uneven tire wear or spongy brakes can compromise stopping distances, especially in an EV that weighs as much as the RZ. Ask for recent brake and tire service records.
8. Look for crash repairs
Check for mismatched paint, panel gaps, or overspray that might indicate prior crash damage. A professional pre‑purchase inspection can spot structural repairs that affect crash performance.
9. Verify child‑seat friendliness
If you carry kids, test your child seats in the rear with the ISOFIX/LATCH anchors. Ensure top tether points are accessible and that the belt buckles are easy to reach with boosters installed.
10. Get an independent inspection
Have an EV‑savvy shop or a service like Recharged’s inspection partners perform a multi‑point safety and battery‑health review, including ADAS calibration checks and high‑voltage system safety.
How Recharged handles used RZ safety
FAQ: Lexus RZ safety ratings and crash tests
Common questions about Lexus RZ crash tests and safety
So, should you feel safe in a Lexus RZ?
Taken together, the **Lexus RZ’s safety ratings and crash‑test results** paint a reassuring picture. Structurally, it performs at the top of the class; its active‑safety systems earn high marks in preventing and mitigating crashes; and the main concerns we’ve seen so far are software‑fixable recalls around visibility systems, not fundamental design flaws.
If you’re shopping new, you’re getting one of the safest electric SUVs Lexus has built to date. If you’re shopping used, your job is to make sure the example in front of you still lives up to those lab‑test numbers, no open safety recalls, no questionable crash repairs, and fully functioning driver‑assist tech. Platforms like Recharged can streamline that process with battery‑health diagnostics, recall checks, and EV‑savvy guidance so you can focus on finding the right RZ, not worrying about what might be hiding underneath.
