ANCAP: Five stars for third-gen BMW X3

BMW’S all-new third-generation X3 medium SUV has picked up a five-star rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), scoring strongly in adult occupant protection.

The X3 scored 35.41 out of 38, or 93 per cent, in the adult occupant protection area, with a perfect score in the side impact test.

Scores of 7.34 and 7.42 out of eight were recorded in the full width frontal and frontal offset tests, respectively, with the full width frontal test showing ‘marginal’ protection for the rear passenger’s chest, ‘acceptable’ protection for the driver’s chest, and ‘good’ ratings elsewhere.

‘Good’ ratings were found in the frontal offset test for the front passenger, and a mix of ‘good’ and ‘acceptable’ for the driver.

The pole test scored 7.3 out of eight, with ‘marginal’ protection for the driver’s chest.

Whiplash protection was rated at 2.36 out of three, despite ‘good’ ratings front and rear.

Full points were awarded for city autonomous emergency braking (AEB) being fitted as standard.

Child occupant protection tests returned a score of 41.23 out of 49, or 84 per cent, with ten-year-old and six-year-old dummies tested.

The neck of the ten-year-old returned a ‘marginal’ rating, with all other tests resulting in ‘good’ or ‘adequate’ scores.

For pedestrian protection, the X3 scored 29.42 out of 42 or 70 per cent, with generally ‘good’ ratings found on the lower grille and bonnet, while the upper grille was the only area to record a ‘poor’ rating.

The X3’s weakest score was recorded in the safety assist section, due in part to the different standard equipment levels on European X3s, with the test carried out by Euro NCAP and the score adopted by ANCAP.

No points were awarded for the standard lane support systems due to European X3s not being equipped with lane departure warning or lane keep assist as standard.

However, Australian X3s come with lane departure warning, while in New Zealand both systems are standard.

Additionally, a score of 1.5 out of three was awarded for speed assistance systems, which are offered in Australia and New Zealand, but not Europe.

Interurban AEB scored 2.54 out of three, with AEB systems returning a score of 1.36 out of 1.5, while forward collision warning was rated at 0.92 out of one.

Human machine interface scored 0.25 out of 0.5.

ANCAP CEO James Goodwin said he was pleased by Australian vehicles being better equipped for safety than their European counterparts.

“The new BMW X3 offers high levels of safety for all members of the family,” he said.

“The X3 is also well-specified with active safety technologies offering a slightly higher standard safety specification than the X3 offered in Europe.

“Lane departure warning and intelligent speed assistance systems are offered as standard inclusions on Australian and New Zealand models.”“It is encouraging to see standard safety inclusions being prioritised for our market.”