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2008 Lexus SC 430 Safety Review

July 1, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Visibility is excellent all around with the top up or down
Family Car

features a number of technologies designed to enhance driver visibility
Jalopnik

front, front-side and knee airbags typify attention to detail
Kelley Blue Book

For an open convertible, the 2008 Lexus SC 430 provides reasonable safety to its occupants, according to reviews researched by TheCarConnection.com.

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested the 2008 Lexus SC 430 for crash safety.

According to ForbesAutos, standard safety equipment includes knee-height airbags for the driver and front passenger. An occupant-detection system for the front-passenger seat keeps the airbag from deploying if the seat is empty or occupied by a child.

The 2008 Lexus SC 430 features a stability control system that helps keep the wheels from losing traction. ForbesAutos reports that, if desired, the feature can be "turned off for more aggressive handling."

Intellichoice reports additional safety equipment on the SC Lexus includes a tire pressure monitor and trunk entrapment release, in addition to a full complement of airbags. Jalopnik also reports a sophisticated braking and suspension system, the identifiers of which call to mind the "Alphabet Soup Agencies" of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Administration: anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, traction control (TRAC), and vehicle stability control (VSC).

Another new-yet-old safety feature (actually dating back 60 years) is the Adaptive Front Lighting System, according to Jalopnik. Autoblog reports that this is "designed to enhance driver visibility." Blind spots are not an issue with the Lexus SC 430; according to Family Car, "visibility is excellent all around with the top up or down."

Kelley Blue Book sums it up best: "the security of a coupe...the exhilaration of a convertible."

Conclusion

The 2008 Lexus SC 430 has plenty of standard safety gear, but it hasn’t been crash tested yet.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Visibility is excellent all around with the top up or downFamily Carfeatures a number of technologies designed to enhance driver visibilityJalopnikfront, front-side and knee airbags typify attention to detailKelley Blue Book For an open convertible, the 2008 Lexus SC 430 provides reasonable safety to its occupants, according to reviews researched by TheCarConnection.com. Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested the 2008 Lexus SC 430 for crash safety. According to ForbesAutos, standard safety equipment includes knee-height airbags for the driver and front passenger. An occupant-detection system for the front-passenger seat keeps the airbag from deploying if the seat is empty or occupied by a child. The 2008 Lexus SC 430 features a stability control system that helps keep the wheels from losing traction. ForbesAutos reports that, if desired, the feature can be "turned off for more aggressive handling." Intellichoice reports additional safety equipment on the SC Lexus includes a tire pressure monitor and trunk entrapment release, in addition to a full complement of airbags. Jalopnik also reports a sophisticated braking and suspension system, the identifiers of which call to mind the "Alphabet Soup Agencies" of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Administration: anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, traction control (TRAC), and vehicle stability control (VSC). Another new-yet-old safety feature (actually dating back 60 years) is the Adaptive Front Lighting System, according to Jalopnik. Autoblog reports that this is "designed to enhance driver visibility." Blind spots are not an issue with the Lexus SC 430; according to Family Car, "visibility is excellent all around with the top up or down." Kelley Blue Book sums it up best: "the security of a coupe...the exhilaration of a convertible." ConclusionThe 2008 Lexus SC 430 has plenty of standard safety gear, but it hasn’t been crash tested yet. 2008 LEXUS SC 430 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "sleek profile" Family Car: "turns heads wherever it goes" ForbesAutos: "Sleek styling" Although the experts at TheCarConnection.com find the styling middling at best, most reviewers consider the 2008 Lexus SC 430 a sleek hardtop ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

These cars are much more expensive than the 2008 Lexus SC 430 but offer performance and seating closer to it than other convertibles on the market. The Cadillac XLR and Mercedes-Benz SL are two-seaters with folding hardtops and arguably superior styling to the Lexus SC. The Jaguar XK and BMW 6-Series have fabric tops, but better features and in the case of the Jaguar XK, glorious styling and a supercharged version. Within the Lexus's price class, the Mercedes-Benz CLK convertible has seating for four and a fabric convertible top; plus, it's better-looking.

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See the Lexus SC 430 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

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