2026 Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid Safety Rating
Midsize luxury SUVs Β· Current IIHS listing Β· IIHS source checked 2026-09-16
The 2026 Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid 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: Small overlap front Good; Side (updated test) Good; Headlights 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 Good
- Good β Trim level(s): All trims
Pedestrian crash prevention: baseline Good
- Good β standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection. Rating applies to all 2024-26 models
Vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention 2.0: baseline Good
- Good β standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. Rating applies to all 2024-26 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 (38 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%).
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2022-26 models
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2022-26 models
Side: updated test
Rating applies to 2023-26 models
Headlights
Β· Trim level(s): All trims
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Rating applies to all 2024-26 models Β· standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Rating applies to all 2024-26 models Β· standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2022-26 models
Opens on iihs.org in a new tab
How the score is built
IIHS crash-test videos
No crash-test video was found on the saved IIHS page for this model year. Visit IIHS for the latest test details and any newly added videos.
Real-world context
| Measure | Result | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Class driver death rate | 11 per million registered vehicle-years | Midsize luxury SUVs as a class, adjusted for driver age and sex (Farmer, 2023); all vehicles average 38. Class context only. |
Compared with other midsize luxury SUVs
Closest-scoring current midsize luxury SUVs with complete IIHS records, plus the class leader. See every midsize luxury SUVs ranked β
| Vehicle | Class rank | IIHS award | Rear restraints | Starts at | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Tesla Model Y | #1 of 23 | TSP+ | $39,990 | 98.6 | |
| 2026 Volvo XC60 | #18 of 23 | β | $49,700 | 90.6 | |
| 2027 Cadillac Lyriq | #19 of 23 | β | $59,200 | 87.5 | |
| 2026 Acura MDX | #20 of 23 | β | $51,800 | 87.0 |
Our analysis
The 2026 Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid belongs to the Midsize luxury SUVs class. This class has one of the lowest driver death rates of any category, well below the national average of 38 deaths per million registered vehicle-years, reflecting mass, structure, and typical driver demographics. 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 NX Plug-in Hybrid 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 4 IIHS rating categories reported, the Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid earned 4 Good ratings. Check the occupant-protection details above as well; a Good headline result can hide a weaker rear-seat subscore.
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 NX Plug-in Hybrid
We do not have a verified NHTSA recall lookup for this model and year. An unmatched or unavailable lookup is not evidence of a clean recall record.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. 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 NX Plug-in Hybrid
Is the 2026 Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid a safe car?
IIHS has published 3 of the 4 primary tests and 3 of the 4 occupant-protection details for the 2026 Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid. Available results are shown below. Only current models with all required results enter the ranking.
What is the 2026 Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid IIHS rating?
IIHS reports: small overlap front = Good; side: updated test = Good; headlights = Good; latch ease of use = Good.
Is the 2026 Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid an IIHS Top Safety Pick?
No. The 2026 Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid 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 NX Plug-in Hybrid compare with other midsize luxury SUVs?
The class leader is the 2027 Tesla Model Y at 98.6/100. The comparison table on this page lists the closest-scoring current midsize luxury SUVs 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.