Introduction
Lexus’ suite of active safety and driver assistance technologies is what we see in Lexus Safety System+. It is put in place for drivers which will have hazard detection, collision avoidance, lane keeping and speed management in traffic. Over time Lexus has rolled out a few versions of it which include Safety System+ 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0. Each new generation improves on the last with better at accident detection, steering assistance, intersection protection and adaptive cruise control features.
For people looking into a new or used Lexus which safety features to get is a key question. What you see in terms of features changes by model, model year, trim, and market which means the safety package name isn’t a full story. We see tech like Pre-Collision System, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring which really do make a difference in day to day drive.
Lexus Safety System+ 2.0
Lexus took a step forward with the introduction of Safety System+ 2.0. In its Pre-Collision System they added that it can now identify cars and also pedestrians at night, as well as into the day we see which the bicycle rider is detected in some models. Also Automatic emergency breaking was made available for when it is determined that a crash is going to happen. Also in this new version we see such features as Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert, Road Sign Assist, and automatic high beams.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control in LSS+ 2.0 was a key feature. The system was to adjust the Lexus’ speed as traffic in front of the car broke which it did not maintain a set speed. Also, the Lane Tracing Assist included steering support to get the vehicle back into the lane if it drifted out. But note that features like Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert would differ by model and trim so buyers should check which exact features are included.
Lexus Safety System+ 2.5
Lexus’ Safety System+ 2.5 saw us go into greater technology which we saw in better collision detection and at the same time greater support for complex road scenarios. We had large scale improvement at4 intersections which is why we reported that the Pre-Collision System is now to alert some oncoming cars and pedestrians during turn maneuvers. Also we saw the introduction of Emergency Steering Assist which in certain emergency situations would provide extra steering support.
The system has also improved on highway assistance. We see in the case of Dynamic Radar Cruise Control which is enhanced that it does a better job with traffic speed and also we have improved Lane Tracing Assist which in turn provides better steering support. For used Lexus buyers LSS+ 2.5 may present as a very attractive option in the market as it brings in the element of new safety tech into play without the need for the latest LSS+ 3.0 system.
Lexus Safety System+ 3.0
Lexus’ latest in the series which we will call Safety System+ 3.0 is the most advanced of the three generations we will be looking at. It includes an improved Pre-Collision System that better identifies vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and other types of dangers. Also it does a better job at what goes on at the intersection. Also in this generation we see the introduction of Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist which at certain times will take over the steering if it determines there is a safe alternative to what is happening.
LSS+ 3.0 also brings in improvements to highway driving assistance. We see Enhanced Lane Tracing Assist which has better refinement in lane positioning, and Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control which now does a better job at distance management in variable traffic. Also we have Curve Speed Management which will automatically adjust the cruise speed through some curves. These features present LSS+ 3.0 as the most complete version of Lexus Safety System+ between the three generations.
Key Lexus Safety Features
Pre-Collision System
Pre Collision System is a very important element of Lexus Safety System+. It looks at the road ahead and will alert the driver when it sees a possible collision. By generation and by vehicle this system may recognize vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other hazards. Also it will apply emergency brakes if the driver does not react and the system determines that a crash is going to happen.
New in later models is better detection and a greater range of situations included, especially at intersections. But the Pre-Collision System is still a driver assist feature which does not prevent all accidents. Drivers must stay alert and be ready to break or steer as needed.
Lane Tracing Assist
Lane Keeping Assist which uses cameras and also other vehicle data to give steer assist as lane and traffic conditions are detected. It is mostly for keeping the Lexus in the middle of its lane which in turn is very useful for highway driving.
The system is to reduce your input while on long trips, we’re not to the point of autonomy yet. In poor weather, faded striping, construction zones and other issues affect how well it does. It is up to the driver to pay attention to the road and remain responsible for steering.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Lexus refers to their adaptive cruise as Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. What they have done is take the conventional cruise control which is static and made it a variable that which it uses to also pay attention to front of car traffic which in turn it uses to in fact change your speed as it sees fit. This is very useful on the highway when traffic is at a stand still and then all of a sudden is moving again. For more info on how this tech works check out Edmunds’ Adaptive Cruise Control guide.
New present day Lexus features include more advanced cruise control. LSS+ 2.5 and 3.0 in certain models which now have all speed operation at launch as a standard feature; also that within the LSS+ 3.0 package we see Curve Speed Management. While this has improved, it is up to the driver to still pay attention and to at all times be ready to take over.
Blind Spot Monitoring
Blind Spot Detection in the Lexus reports on cars which are getting into or are already in your blind spot which is a hard to see area through the mirrors. If it identifies a car in the blind spot it will alert the driver which in turn helps to prevent a risky lane change.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert does what it can to watch for traffic that is approaching from the sides as your vehicle is in reverse. This feature is very useful in parking lots that are very busy and on roads which are multilane. That said, availability of this feature does vary by Lexus model and year and also which package you have so it is best that buyers check to see if their specific car has it.
Lexus Safety System+ vs Competitors
Lexus Safety System+ goes up against driver assistance packages from the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Acura, and Genesis. What most of the competing systems put forward is very much the same base of technologies which include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane assistance, and blind spot monitoring. What does differ between them is performance of the systems, range of driving situations they play a role in, and which features are made available as standard or as options.
Lexus has seen an increase in the availability of safety technology which is now a standard feature in many of their newer models. We see that advanced Safety System+ is included in many Lexus models at no extra cost. At the same time it is important for buyers to still research each vehicle individually and not to assume that all Lexus models come with the same safety features.
Which Lexus Safety System+ Is Best?
In the used car market Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 is a very good choice which puts together features like Pre-Collision System, Lane Tracing Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Road Sign Assist, and also improved pedestrian detection. Also it may include many of the safety features that buyers expect in a new car at a more affordable price.
LSS+ 2.5 reports to have better performance in the area of intersection protection and also brings in advanced driver assistance which in turn makes it a great choice for customers interested in the latest tech. With LSS+ 3.0 we see the best option for those that want the very latest in systems which have improved hazard detection, Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, enhanced lane assistance, and also we see added cruise control features. It is true though that beyond the generation of the car what you get in terms of safety features may vary by model and trim.
Final Verdict
Lexus has a wide array of safety and driver assist technologies in their Safety System+ which is a suite of features. In version 2.0 we saw better detection and highway assistance, in 2.5 we had improved intersection protection and steering assistance put out, and at the introduction of 3.0 we got what includes better hazard detection, lane assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
For which the buyer is concerned, LSS+ 3.0 is mostly what they want which is of the newest tech. But also a well equipped Lexus that comes with LSS+ 2.0 or 2 in fact still does very well at what safety issues are related. It is best to check the exact model year, trim, and equipment list prior to purchase. While the Lexus Safety System+’s are a great value what we should put across is that they are for the attentive driver which is what they are designed to be not a substitute for.
