2026 Lexus Is Safety Rating
Midsize luxury cars Β· Current IIHS listing Β· IIHS source checked 2026-10-22
The 2026 Lexus Is is not yet ranked. Our required evidence is complete for 3 of 4 primary tests and 3 of 4 selected occupant-protection details. Missing results are shown as missing, never assumed.
Reported so far: Moderate overlap front (updated test) Marginal; Side (updated test) Acceptable; Headlights Acceptable; Seat belt reminders Good; Latch ease of use Good.
Which build and equipment does this score describe?
Latest applicable build; standard AEB and lowest current-trim headlight rating. Headlights use the lowest rating among applicable current trims; this is a conservative equipment baseline, not a claim that every trim has identical results. Confirm the production date and equipment of the car you are buying.
Headlights: baseline Acceptable; best reported Good
- Good β (1) Trim level(s): 350 trim
- Acceptable β (2) Trim level(s): 350 trim equipped with Premium Triple-Beam LED Headlamps package
Pedestrian crash prevention: baseline Good
- Good β standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. Rating applies to all 2026 models
Vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention 2.0: baseline Good
- Good β standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. Rating applies to all 2026 models
Optional-system results are shown separately. Combining the best rating from different packages does not establish that one purchasable configuration earns them all. Check IIHS equipment details.
IIHS crash-test results
Detailed results by test (31 entries)
IIHS publishes these under the test they belong to, so the same label can appear more than once. Rear restraints and kinematics, rear head protection, structure and safety cage, and front restraints are the four that count toward the score (25%).
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Rating applies to 2026 models
Side: updated test
Rating applies to 2025-26 models
Headlights
Β· (1) Trim level(s): 350 trim
Headlights
Β· (2) Trim level(s): 350 trim equipped with Premium Triple-Beam LED Headlamps package
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Rating applies to all 2026 models Β· standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Rating applies to all 2026 models Β· standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
Seat belt reminders
Rating applies to 2026 models
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2017-26 models
Opens on iihs.org in a new tab
How the score is built
See our full scoring methodology and rules β
NHTSA 5-star rating
2026 LEXUS IS 350 4 DR N/A RWD
NHTSA stars are shown for reference and carry no weight in the score. NHTSA source. Why the two programs disagree β
IIHS crash-test videos
These videos are embedded on IIHSβs ratings page for this model. The tested vehicle may be an earlier model year or a related version whose results IIHS applies to this vehicle. Check the test description and source for the exact coverage.
Load a player to watch on this page, or use the YouTube link. Video footage helps explain the test; the published injury measurements and ratings are the basis for comparison.
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Tested vehicle: 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport 4-door
Rating applies to 2026 models
Side: updated test
Tested vehicle: 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport 4-door
Rating applies to 2025-26 models
Real-world context
| Measure | Result | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Class driver death rate | 23 per million registered vehicle-years | Midsize luxury cars as a class, adjusted for driver age and sex (Farmer, 2023); all vehicles average 38. Class context only. |
Compared with other midsize luxury cars
Closest-scoring current midsize luxury cars with complete IIHS records, plus the class leader. See every midsize luxury car ranked β
| Vehicle | Class rank | IIHS award | Rear restraints | Starts at | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Audi A5 | #1 of 5 | TSP+ | $50,200 | 94.7 | |
| 2027 Tesla Model 3 | #3 of 5 | β | $36,990 | 91.7 | |
| 2026 BMW 3 Series | #4 of 5 | β | $47,500 | 84.2 | |
| 2026 Audi A3 | #5 of 5 | β | $40,100 | 79.7 |
Other model years of the Lexus Is
| Model year | Status | IIHS award | Primary tests reported | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Lexus Is | Archived | β | 2/4 | Not ranked |
Each model year keeps its own record. Ratings from one year are never copied to another unless IIHS states the test applies.
Our analysis
The 2026 Lexus Is belongs to the Midsize luxury cars class. This class has a below-average driver death rate compared with the national average of 38 deaths per million registered vehicle-years. The class figure is adjusted for driver age and sex, which removes a large part of the selection effect in raw death rates. It is still a class average, not a measurement of this model.
The Lexus Is has no IIHS Top Safety Pick award in the 2026 award cycle. That can mean a result below the award threshold in one test, or tests IIHS has not completed. Absence of an award is not evidence that the vehicle is unsafe.
Across the 5 IIHS rating categories reported, the Lexus Is earned 2 Good ratings. Results below Good deserve attention, especially the updated frontal and side tests that IIHS toughened in 2022 and 2023. Our updated crash test analysis explains what changed.
This analysis is produced independently; we have no affiliation with Lexus or any manufacturer. Read the full methodology or learn more about us.
Safety recalls for the 2026 Lexus Is
No recalls on record. The saved NHTSA lookup found no recall campaigns for this model year as of 2026-10-21. Check your VIN for subsequent campaigns and exact applicability.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-10-21. A recall applies to a range of build dates, not necessarily every car of this model year, so confirm against your own VIN. Recalls do not affect the safety score on this page.
Questions about the 2026 Lexus Is
Is the 2026 Lexus Is a safe car?
IIHS has published 3 of the 4 primary tests and 3 of the 4 occupant-protection details for the 2026 Lexus Is. Available results are shown below. Only current models with all required results enter the ranking.
What is the 2026 Lexus Is IIHS rating?
IIHS reports: moderate overlap front: updated test = Marginal; side: updated test = Acceptable; headlights = Acceptable; seat belt reminders = Good; latch ease of use = Good.
Is the 2026 Lexus Is an IIHS Top Safety Pick?
No. The 2026 Lexus Is does not hold an IIHS Top Safety Pick award for the 2026 model year, which can reflect a result below Good in a qualifying test or tests that IIHS has not yet completed.
How does the 2026 Lexus Is compare with other midsize luxury cars?
The class leader is the 2026 Audi A5 at 94.7/100. The comparison table on this page lists the closest-scoring current midsize luxury cars with complete records.
Continue comparing
Shopping for a family? Compare three-row vehicles and rear-seat evidence. Buying used? See real driver death rates by model.