Both the Prius and the ES have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Lexus ES:
|
Prius |
ES |
OVERALL STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
|
Driver |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Neck Injury Risk |
23% |
24% |
Neck Stress |
237 lbs. |
239 lbs. |
Neck Compression |
25 lbs. |
30 lbs. |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
131/151 lbs. |
524/628 lbs. |
|
Passenger |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
Chest Compression |
.6 inches |
.8 inches |
Neck Injury Risk |
25.3% |
33% |
Neck Stress |
151 lbs. |
159 lbs. |
Neck Compression |
23 lbs. |
62 lbs. |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
249/159 lbs. |
473/518 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Prius is safer than the ES:
|
Prius |
ES |
Overall Evaluation |
ACCEPTABLE |
MARGINAL |
Structure |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
Driver Injury Measures |
|
Head/Neck Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Chest Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Thigh/hip Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Thigh Forces L/R |
45/90 pounds |
270/337 pounds |
Leg/foot Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Thigh Forces L/R |
45/90 pounds |
270/337 pounds |
Leg Forces L/R |
427/382 pounds |
427/697 pounds |
Restraints |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
Rear Passenger Injury Measures |
|
Head/Neck Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Chest Rating |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
Thigh Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Lexus ES:
|
Prius |
ES |
|
Front Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Abdominal Force |
128 lbs. |
160 lbs. |
|
Into Pole |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Max Damage Depth |
11 inches |
13 inches |
Spine Acceleration |
34 G’s |
36 G’s |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Prius is safer than the ES:
|
Prius |
ES |
Overall Evaluation |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
Structure |
ACCEPTABLE |
ACCEPTABLE |
|
Driver Injury Measures |
|
Head/Neck |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Head Injury Criterion |
331 |
403 |
Neck Tension |
223 lbs. |
312 lbs. |
Neck Compression |
45 lbs. |
89 lbs. |
Torso |
ACCEPTABLE |
ACCEPTABLE |
Shoulder Force |
335 lbs. |
379 lbs. |
Pelvis |
GOOD |
ACCEPTABLE |
Pelvis Force |
759 lbs. |
1026 lbs. |
Head Protection |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
Passenger Injury Measures |
|
Head/Neck |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Neck Tension |
45 lbs. |
134 lbs. |
Torso |
GOOD |
GOOD |
Torso Deflection Rate |
5 MPH |
10 MPH |
Pelvis |
GOOD |
MARGINAL |
Pelvis Force |
692 lbs. |
1205 lbs. |
Head Protection |
GOOD |
GOOD |
The Toyota Prius has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The ES was last only a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023 but no longer qualifies.