2017 BMW X3

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

2017 BMW X3 4-door SUV
2016 BMW X3 shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior
Optional system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard daytime running lights
  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2011-17 models

Tested vehicle: 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i dr 4wd

The BMW X3 was redesigned for the 2011 model year. Frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW as part of frontal crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1024
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 2
Left (cm) 4
Center (cm) 4
Right (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 4
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 1
Rearward (cm) -3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 1

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1024
Head
HIC-15 194
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 7
Maximum Nij 0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm) 30
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.8
Femur force - right (kN) 1.9
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 2
Maximum tibia index - left 0.41
Maximum tibia index - right 0.43
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.2
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 52
Right 46

How the moderate overlap front test is conducted

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2011-17 models built after March 2011

Tested vehicle: 2012 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4-door 4wd with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front door-mounted torso airbags

The BMW X3 was redesigned for the 2011 model year. Beginning with 2011 models built after March 2011, the computer algorithm that calculates when to deploy the side airbags was optimized to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.) Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW after the changes were made as part of side crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1114
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -16.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1114
Head HIC-15 75
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 37
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 36
Average deflection (mm) 32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 5.60
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.75
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 2.3
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.8
Combined force (kN) 4.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 36
A-P moment (Nm) 13

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1114
Head HIC-15 254
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 1.0
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 22
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 28
Average deflection (mm) 17
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.71
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.33
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.4
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.5
Combined force (kN) 2.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.3
L-M moment (Nm) 23
A-P moment (Nm) 34

How the side crash test is conducted

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2012-17 models

Tested vehicle: 2012 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight 4,135 lbs
Peak force 19,389 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio 4.69

How the roof strength test is conducted

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seats (AHR)

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leather seats (AHR)
Geometry
Backset (mm) 40
Distance below top of head (mm) 34
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 16.2
Head contact time (ms) 42
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 333

How the head restraint & seat test is conducted
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • xDrive35i trim
  • sDrive28i trim equipped with HID Lighting package
  • xDrive28i trim equipped with HID Lighting package
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type HID projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
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 good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • xDrive35i trim
  • sDrive28i trim equipped with HID Lighting package
  • xDrive28i trim equipped with HID Lighting package
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type HID projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2017 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 109.2 m 9.6%
Straightaway left edge 64.4 m 9.6%
250m radius right curve, right edge 79.1 m 76.9%
250m radius left curve, left edge 58.7 m 2.3%
150m radius right curve, right edge 61.5 m 150.3%
150m radius left curve, left edge 51.2 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 164.7 m
Straightaway left edge 130.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 81.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 71.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 62.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 60.5 m

Trim level(s)

  • sDrive28i trim equipped with LED Lighting package
  • xDrive28i trim equipped with LED Lighting package
  • xDrive35i trim equipped with LED Lighting package
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
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 Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

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 fair on the gradual right and both left curves and inadequate on the sharp right curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • sDrive28i trim equipped with LED Lighting package
  • xDrive28i trim equipped with LED Lighting package
  • xDrive35i trim equipped with LED Lighting package
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 89.4 m None
Straightaway left edge 51.2 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 58.2 m 23.3%
250m radius left curve, left edge 46.6 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 46.3 m 139.6%
150m radius left curve, left edge 44.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 151.9 m
Straightaway left edge 123.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 71.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 70.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 52.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 56.2 m

Trim level(s)

  • sDrive28i trim
  • xDrive28i trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
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

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • sDrive28i trim
  • xDrive28i trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2017 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 71.7 m None
Straightaway left edge 34.9 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 50.0 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 36.6 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 40.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 34.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 143.6 m
Straightaway left edge 107.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 56.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 52.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 47.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 42.2 m

How headlights are evaluated

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

  • Optional Frontal Collision Warning with Extended Collision Mitigation

Package name

  • Optional Driver Assistance Plus/ACC Stop & Go + Active Driving Assistant

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2017 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.

System details

  • Optional Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation

Package name

  • Optional Driver Assistance Plus/Active Driving Assistant

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2017 models

Advanced
Advanced
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 8 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 7 mph.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2016-17 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim xDrive28i
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.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim xDrive28i
Seat type leather
1 2 3
G Good
A Acceptable
M Marginal
P Poor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
 Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
 Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
 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
too much force needed to attach
easy 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
too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 40
Clearance angle (degrees) 65
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 35
Clearance angle (degrees) 66
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 No
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) 40
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 23
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes

How child seat anchors are evaluated

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