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BMW
X3 4-door SUV

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2018 BMW X3

Midsize luxury SUV
2018 BMW X3
2018 BMW X3

Print full report for this vehicle

Crashworthiness
  • Small overlap front
  • Driver-side
    G
  • Passenger-side
    G
  • Moderate overlap front
    G
  • Side
    G
  • Roof strength
    G
  • Head restraints & seats
    G

Crash avoidance & Mitigation
Front crash prevention
Crash avoidance rating
Superior
with optional
equipment

Headlights
G
only certain
trims/options

Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
ease of use
M
Check for NHTSA recalls

The photos and videos shown here may be of a different model, model year or body type from the one selected. The ratings of one vehicle often apply to other models if they are built on the same platform. In addition, a test of a vehicle from one model year may apply to earlier or later model years if the vehicle hasn't been significantly redesigned.

Model year Small overlap front Moderate overlap front Side Roof strength Head restraints & seats Front crash prevention Headlights LATCH ease of use
Driver Passenger
2018
G
G
G
G
G
G
Crash avoidance rating
Superior
G
M
2017
G
G
G
G
Crash avoidance rating
Superior
M
M
2016
G
G
G
G
Crash avoidance rating
Superior
M
2015
G
G
G
G
Crash avoidance rating
Superior
2014
G
G
G
G
Crash avoidance rating
Basic
2013
G
G
G
G
Crash avoidance rating
Basic
2012
G
G
G
G
Crash avoidance rating
2011
G
G
G
Crash avoidance rating
2010
G
G
G
Crash avoidance rating
2009
G
G
G
Crash avoidance rating
2008
G
G
G
Crash avoidance rating
2007
G
P
Crash avoidance rating
2006
G
P
Crash avoidance rating
2005
G
P
Crash avoidance rating
2004
G
P
Crash avoidance rating

Applies to 2018 models

Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

The BMW X3 was redesigned for the 2018 model year.

Structure

The driver space was maintained well, with maximum intrusion of the lower interior of 5 cm at the left portion of the toepan and maximum intrusion of the upper interior of 1 cm at the instrument panel and upper hinge pillar.

Injury measures

Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Restraints and dummy kinematics

The dummy’s movement was well controlled. The dummy’s head loaded the frontal airbag, which stayed in front of the dummy until rebound. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4-door 4wd
Weight 4,192 lbs.
Side airbags front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase 113 in.
Length 186 in.
Width 74 in.
Engine 2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder
EPA ratings 22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1801
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Footrest (cm) 4
Left toepan (cm) 5
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 1
Lower instrument panel (cm) 1

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1801
Head
HIC-15 118
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.25
Right 0.23
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.2
Right 0.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 44
Right 82

Applies to 2018 models

Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

The BMW X3 was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW as part of frontal crash test verification.

Structure

The passenger space was maintained well, with maximum intrusion of the lower interior of 6 cm at the rightmost portion of the toepan. Maximum upper interior intrusion measured 1 cm at the dashboard and upper hinge pillar.

Passenger injury measures

Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

The dummy’s movement was well controlled. The dummy’s head loaded the frontal airbag, which stayed in front of the dummy until rebound. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.

Driver injury measures

Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

The dummy’s movement was well controlled. The dummy’s head loaded the frontal airbag, which stayed in front of the dummy until rebound.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle 2018 BMW X3 M40i 4-door 4wd
Weight 4,136 lbs.
Side airbags front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase 113 in.
Length 186 in.
Width 74 in.
Engine 3.0 L turbocharged 6-cylinder
EPA ratings 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1805
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Footrest (cm) 6
Right toepan (cm) 5
Center toepan (cm) 4
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 1
Right lower dash (cm) 1

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1805
Head
HIC-15 221
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.29
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28
Femur (kN)
Left 0.8
Right 0.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 5
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.44
Right 0.44
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.8
Right 2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 83
Right 87

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1805
Head
HIC-15 167
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 20
Maximum Nij 0.28
Chest maximum compression (mm) 33
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 2
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.36
Right 0.30
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.1
Right 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 42
Right 47

Applies to 2018 models

Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Leg/foot, left
G
Leg/foot, right
G
Restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

The BMW X3 was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW as part of frontal crash test verification.

Injury measures

Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Restraints and dummy kinematics

Dummy movement was well controlled. The driver side curtain airbag deployed during the crash. After the dummy moved forward into the frontal airbag, its head contacted the side curtain airbag.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4-door 4wd
Weight 4,028 lbs.
Side airbags front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase 113 in.
Length 186 in.
Width 74 in.
Engine 2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder
EPA ratings 22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

Measures of occcupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1802
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 2
Left (cm) 2
Center (cm) 2
Right (cm) 1
Brake pedal (cm) 0
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) -1
Right (cm) -1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -2
Rearward (cm) -6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1802
Head
HIC-15 212
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 27
Maximum Nij 0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm) 33
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.4
Femur force - right (kN) 0.6
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 2
Maximum tibia index - left 0.37
Maximum tibia index - right 0.30
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.9
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 55
Right 54

Applies to 2018 models

Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Head protection
G
Side crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories.

The BMW X3 was redesigned for the 2018 model year.

Injury measures

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Head protection

Driver — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Passenger — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4-door 4wd
Weight 4,082 lbs.
Side airbags standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase 113 in.
Length 186 in.
Width 74 in.
Engine 2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder
EPA ratings 22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES1802
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.		 -19.5

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES1802
Head HIC-15 72
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 26
Lateral force (kN) 1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 26
Average deflection (mm) 25
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.24
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.29
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.1
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.8
Combined force (kN) 1.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.2
L-M moment (Nm) 46
A-P moment (Nm) -30

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES1802
Head HIC-15 127
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 5
Lateral force (kN) 0.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 13
Average deflection (mm) 12
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.89
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.13
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.0
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.5
Combined force (kN) 2.3
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 60
A-P moment (Nm) -16

Applies to 2018 models

Overall evaluation
G
Curb weight 4,190 lbs
Peak force 18,799 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio 4.49
Tested vehicle
 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4-door 4wd
Roof strength test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories.

In the test, the strength of the roof is determined by pushing a metal plate against one side of it at a slow but constant speed. The force applied relative to the vehicle's weight is known as the strength-to-weight ratio. This graph shows how the ratio varied as the test of this vehicle progressed. The peak strength-to-weight ratio recorded at any time before the roof is crushed 5 inches is the key measurement of roof strength.

A good rating requires a strength-to-weight ratio of at least 4. In other words, the roof must withstand a force of at least 4 times the vehicle's weight before the plate crushes the roof by 5 inches. For an acceptable rating, the minimum required strength-to-weight ratio is 3.25. For a marginal rating, it is 2.5. Anything lower than that is poor.

How this test is conducted

Applies to 2018 models

Overall evaluation
G
Dynamic rating
G
Seat/head restraint geometry
G
Important: Ratings for head restraints & seats should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Seat type

Power leather seat

How this test is conducted

Seat type Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 44
Distance below top of head (mm) 0
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 15.2
Head contact time (ms) 65
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 469

Applies to 2018 models

System details

  • Optional Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation

Package name

  • Optional Driving Assistance Package

Overall evaluation
Crash avoidance rating
Superior
with optional
equipment
6 points total

Forward collision warning

This system meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's criteria for forward collision warning.
 1 point

Low-speed autobrake

In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision. 		2 points

High-speed autobrake

In the 25 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision. 		3 points

Tested vehicle

2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4-door 4wd

How this rating is determined

Applies to 2018 models

System details

  • Optional Frontal Collision Warning with Extended Collision Mitigation

Package name

  • Optional Driving Assistance Plus

Overall evaluation
Crash avoidance rating
Superior
with optional
equipment
6 points total

Forward collision warning

This system meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's criteria for forward collision warning.
 1 point

Low-speed autobrake

In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision. 		2 points

High-speed autobrake

In the 25 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision. 		3 points

Tested vehicle

2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i 4-door 4wd

How this rating is determined

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available for this vehicle.
Trim level(s)
  • xDrive 30i trim equipped with Executive package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
Automatically switches between low beams and high beams (high-beam assist)? Yes
Overall rating
G
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams

On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams

On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on the gradual left curve.

How this test is conducted

Trim level(s)
  • xDrive 30i trim equipped with Convenience package
  • xDrive 30i trim equipped with Premium package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
Automatically switches between low beams and high beams (high-beam assist)? No
Overall rating
M
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams

On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams

On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

How this test is conducted

Trim level(s)
  • xDrive 30i trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
Automatically switches between low beams and high beams (high-beam assist)? No
Overall rating
M
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams

On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams

On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

How this test is conducted

Trim level(s)
  • xDrive 30i trim equipped with Executive package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2018 models
G
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 99.7 m None
Straightaway left edge 61.3 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 86.9 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 67.1 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 71.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 62.2 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 165.1 m
Straightaway left edge 117.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 96.3 m
250m radius left curve, right edge 78.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 72.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 67.4 m
Trim level(s)
  • xDrive 30i trim equipped with Convenience package
  • xDrive 30i trim equipped with Premium package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2018 models
M
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 70.8 m 2.7 %
Straightaway left edge 47.7 m 2.7 %
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.8 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 46.7 m 3.0 %
150m radius right curve, right edge 74.6 m None
150m radius left curve, right edge 46.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 161.5 m
Straightaway left edge 118.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 80.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 67.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 78.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 60.2 m
Trim level(s)
  • xDrive 30i trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2018 models
M
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 76.8 m None
Straightaway left edge 48.0 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.8 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 47.0 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.1 m 30.0 %
150m radius left curve, left edge 43.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 137.6 m
Straightaway left edge 112.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 77.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 57.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.1 m

Applies to 2018 models

How this rating is determined

Overall evaluation
M
Vehicle trim xDrive30i
Seat type leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

1 2 3


Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
Tether anchor
Lower anchors
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
difficult to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
difficult to maneuver around anchors

Seat position 21

3
Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 35
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 2
Clearance angle (degrees) 33
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes

Seat position 22

2
Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes

Seat position 23

1
Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 3
Clearance angle (degrees) 34
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Not visible
Force (lbs) 1
Clearance angle (degrees) 34
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
1
Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front door-mounted torso airbags
2
Rollover sensor: designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover
3
Electronic stability control
4
Antilock brakes
5
Daytime running lights

©1996-2018, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute | www.iihs.org