BMW X3 Euro NCAP crash test

5 stars. Overall excellent performance in crash protection and well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash avoidance technology

The passenger compartment of the X3 remained stable in the frontal offset test.  Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger.  BMW showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions.  All critical body regions of the passenger dummy were well protected in this test.  In the full-width rigid barrier impact, protection of both the driver and rear passenger was good or adequate, except the chest of the rear dummy, protection of which was rated as marginal, based on chest compression.  The X3 scored maximum points in the side barrier test, with good protection of all critical body areas.  The X4 also provided good protection to all critical body regions in this test.  In the more severe side pole test, dummy readings of rib compression indicated marginal protection, while that of other body areas was good.  In the pole test of the X4, protection of all critical parts of the body was good.  Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision.  A geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection.  The autonomous emergency braking system scored maximum points in tests of its functionality at the low speeds at which many whiplash injuries are caused, with collisions avoided at all test speeds.

In the frontal offset test, protection of the neck of the 10 year dummy was rated as marginal, based on readings of tensile forces.  Otherwise, protection of both child dummies was good or adequate.  In the side barrier test, protection of both dummies was good for all critical body areas, and was the same in the repeat test of the X4.  The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position.  Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded.  All of the child restraint types for which the car is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.

The X3 and X4 have an 'active', deployable bonnet.  Sensors detect when a pedestrian has been struck and actuators lift the bonnet to provide greater clearance to the hard structures in the engine compartment.  BMW showed that the system worked robustly for different pedestrian statures and across a wide range of speeds.  Accordingly, the car was tested with the bonnet in the raised position.   Test results were good or adequate over most of the bonnet surface.  The protection provided to pedestrians' legs was good at all test locations.  However, the protection provided to the pelvis was poor at all locations.  In tests of its pedestrian detection, the autonomous emergency braking system performed adequately, with collisions avoided or mitigated in several test scenarios and speeds.

The autonomous emergency braking system performed well in tests of its functionality at highway speeds, with collisions avoided or mitigated in all scenarios.  A seatbelt reminder system is standard for the front and rear seats, as is a driver-set speed limiter.