The Lexus RZ, an all-electric luxury SUV introduced to the Australian market in May 2023, has set a new benchmark for safety, particularly in protecting vulnerable road users such as children and pedestrians.
As the first vehicle to achieve a five-star safety rating under the Australasian New Car Assessment Program’s (ANCAP) stringent 2023-2025 criteria, the RZ demonstrates Lexus’s commitment to advanced safety technologies and robust crash protection.
This article explores the elite safety features of the Lexus RZ, focusing on its child and pedestrian protection capabilities, tailored for Australian families and urban drivers.
A New Era of Safety Standards
The Lexus RZ’s five-star ANCAP rating is a significant milestone, as it was the first vehicle tested under ANCAP’s updated 2023-2025 protocols, which introduced stricter requirements for crash tests and safety scenarios. These include enhanced assessments for vulnerable road user protection, requiring vehicles to score at least 70% in this category to achieve the top rating, up from 60% in previous years.
The RZ excelled, scoring 84% for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 89% for Child Occupant Protection, showcasing its ability to safeguard both pedestrians and young passengers.
Australian roads, from bustling city streets to suburban driveways, present unique challenges for child and pedestrian safety. With over 1,200 pedestrian injuries reported annually in Australia, and children being particularly vulnerable due to their unpredictable behavior, the RZ’s advanced safety systems address these risks head-on.
Its combination of passive and active safety features ensures comprehensive protection, making it an ideal choice for families and safety-conscious drivers.
Child Occupant Protection: Prioritizing Young Passengers
The Lexus RZ’s Child Occupant Protection score of 89% reflects its robust design and thoughtful safety features tailored for young passengers. The vehicle performed exceptionally in ANCAP’s child occupant tests, achieving full marks in most criteria.
However, it lost minor points due to the absence of a child presence detection system and ISOFIX anchors for the middle-rear seat. Despite these omissions, the RZ’s overall performance remains impressive, offering Australian parents peace of mind when traveling with children.
The RZ is equipped with nine airbags, including dual frontal, side chest-protecting, side head-protecting (curtain), driver and front passenger knee airbags, and a center airbag to prevent occupant-to-occupant injuries in side-impact crashes.
These airbags provide comprehensive protection for occupants of all ages, ensuring that children in car seats are safeguarded during collisions. The vehicle’s rigid e-TNGA platform, designed specifically for electric vehicles, further enhances crash protection by channeling impact forces away from the passenger compartment.
For families, the RZ’s spacious five-seat configuration and 522 liters of boot space offer practicality without compromising safety. The lack of ISOFIX anchors in the middle-rear seat may be a drawback for larger families requiring multiple child seats, but the vehicle’s high scores in side barrier and frontal offset tests demonstrate its ability to protect young occupants effectively.
Additionally, the RZ’s advanced eCall system facilitates rapid emergency response in the event of a crash, ensuring that help arrives quickly for injured passengers, including children.
Pedestrian Protection: Cutting-Edge Technologies
The Lexus RZ’s standout feature in pedestrian protection is its Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) designed to prevent collisions with vulnerable road users. Scoring 84% in ANCAP’s Vulnerable Road User Protection category, the RZ incorporates technologies that address common accident scenarios, such as pedestrians crossing roads or cyclists approaching from behind.
These systems are particularly relevant for Australian urban environments, where pedestrian-heavy areas like Sydney’s CBD or Melbourne’s tram zones require heightened driver awareness.
The Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection uses millimeter-wave radar and stereo cameras to detect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists in various conditions, including at night. If a collision risk is identified, the system provides audio-visual alerts on the driver’s head-up display and can automatically apply brakes or initiate evasive steering via Active Steering Assist.
This is particularly effective in scenarios like turning at intersections, where the RZ can detect oncoming pedestrians or cyclists and apply emergency braking if needed.
One of the RZ’s innovative features is its cyclist anti-dooring capability, a first for ANCAP testing. This system warns occupants of approaching cyclists and prevents doors from opening if a collision risk is detected, reducing the likelihood of accidents in busy urban settings like Brisbane or Perth, where cycling is increasingly popular.
Additionally, the RZ’s Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) operates at lower speeds, scanning for pedestrians or cyclists near the vehicle and providing gentle braking or steering to avoid obstacles while keeping the car within its lane.
The RZ also features a Pop Up Hood (PUH) system, which raises the hood approximately 65mm upon detecting a collision with a pedestrian, absorbing impact energy and reducing the risk of severe injury.
This passive safety measure complements the vehicle’s active systems, ensuring comprehensive pedestrian protection. For Australian drivers navigating school zones or residential areas, these features provide an extra layer of security, reducing the risk of harm to children and other pedestrians.
Addressing Australian Road Safety Challenges
Australian roads pose unique challenges for pedestrian and child safety. According to the Raising Children Network, young children are particularly at risk in driveways and car parks due to their unpredictable movements and limited awareness of vehicles.
The RZ’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system, which includes backover and junction-crossing scenarios, addresses these risks by detecting children or pedestrians behind the vehicle while reversing or crossing in front during turns. The system’s ability to handle stationary and moving cyclists further enhances its effectiveness in suburban settings.
The RZ’s Lane Support System, including Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK), ensures the vehicle remains stable and within its lane, reducing the risk of drifting into pedestrian or cyclist paths.
These features are particularly valuable on Australia’s busy motorways and narrow suburban streets, where distractions or fatigue can lead to unintended lane departures. The RZ’s performance in ANCAP’s lane support and AEB tests was exemplary, contributing to its 84% Safety Assist score.
Additional Safety Innovations
Beyond child and pedestrian protection, the RZ incorporates features to enhance overall safety. Its Drive Start Control suppresses abrupt acceleration when shifting into drive or reverse, preventing sudden movements that could endanger nearby pedestrians.
The advanced eCall system and multi-collision brake further improve post-crash safety, ensuring that occupants and rescuers are protected in emergency situations. The RZ also meets ANCAP’s submergence requirements, allowing doors and windows to open if the vehicle is submerged, a critical feature for Australian drivers in flood-prone areas.
While the RZ lacks a child presence detection system, its Rear Seat Reminder System, rewarded by Euro NCAP, issues in-cabin alerts and activates hazard lights if a child is left in the vehicle, addressing the critical issue of children being forgotten in hot cars—a significant concern in Australia’s climate.
A Safety Leader for Australian Families
The Lexus RZ redefines safety for luxury electric SUVs, offering Australian drivers a vehicle that excels in protecting children and pedestrians. Its five-star ANCAP rating, advanced Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, and innovative features like cyclist anti-dooring and Pop Up Hood make it a standout choice for families and urban commuters.
While minor drawbacks, such as the lack of middle-rear ISOFIX anchors, exist, the RZ’s comprehensive safety suite and robust crash protection ensure it meets the needs of safety-conscious Australians. For those seeking a premium electric SUV that prioritizes the well-being of all road users, the Lexus RZ is a compelling option.