The 2018 Bmw 5 Series Sedan marked a significant redesign for the model, bringing enhanced safety features and improved crashworthiness. This article delves into the safety performance of the 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan, drawing upon evaluations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We will explore various crash test ratings and safety system evaluations to provide a complete picture of how well this luxury sedan protects its occupants.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object. In the driver-side small overlap test, the 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan achieved a Good rating, the highest possible.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The structural integrity of the 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan held up exceptionally well during the driver-side small overlap test. Key measurements of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver side demonstrate minimal deformation, ensuring crucial survival space for the driver.
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 5 |
| Footrest | 12 |
| Left Toepan | 11 |
| Brake Pedal | 5 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 3 |
| Steering Column | 0 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 3 |
| Upper Dash | 2 |
| Lower Instrument Panel | 2 |
Dummy kinematics and restraint system performance were also rated as Good. The airbags and safety systems effectively controlled dummy movement, minimizing the risk of head and neck injuries.
Lower leg and foot injury risks were also low, as indicated by the measurements taken during the test.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
The passenger-side small overlap test evaluates the protection offered to the front passenger in a similar collision scenario. The 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan also earned a Good rating for passenger-side protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Chest | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | A |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
While most passenger injury measures were rated as Good, the lower leg/foot protection for the passenger was rated as Acceptable. Occupant compartment intrusion measurements on the passenger side show slightly more intrusion compared to the driver side, but still within a safe range.
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side) | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 3 |
| Footrest | 19 |
| Right Toepan | 15 |
| Center Toepan | 7 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 1 |
| Center Dash | 1 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 3 |
| Upper Dash | 4 |
| Right Lower Dash | 5 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
In the moderate overlap front crash test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a deformable barrier. The 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan again demonstrated excellent performance, achieving a Good rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Left | G |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Minimal occupant compartment intrusion was observed in the moderate overlap test, further confirming the robust structure of the 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan.
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest | 1 |
| Left Footwell | 1 |
| Center Footwell | 1 |
| Right Footwell | 1 |
| Brake Pedal | 2 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (Left) | 1 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (Right) | 1 |
| Steering Column Upward Movement | -2 |
| Steering Column Rearward Movement | -5 |
| A-pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
Side Crash Test: Original Test
The side crash test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in a side impact collision. The 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan earned a Good rating in the side crash test, indicating strong side impact protection for both driver and rear passengers.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Torso | G |
| Driver injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Torso | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Intrusion measurements in the side crash test showed minimal occupant compartment deformation.
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -22.5 |
Roof Strength
Roof strength is crucial in rollover accidents. The 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan received a Good rating for roof strength, demonstrating its ability to withstand significant forces in a rollover scenario.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Curb weight | 3,822 lbs |
| Peak force | 20,991 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.49 |
Head Restraints & Seats
Evaluations of head restraints and seats are important for preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan’s power leather seats and head restraints were rated Good for dynamic performance and geometry.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Headlights
Headlight performance is a critical safety feature, especially for nighttime driving. The 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan offers different headlight variations. The trim levels equipped with the Executive or Lighting package, featuring LED projector low beams and LED reflector high beams with curve-adaptive functionality and high-beam assist, earned a Good overall rating.
| Headlight Evaluation (Executive/Lighting Package Trims) | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | G |
However, the standard headlight setup on the 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan, with LED projector low and high beams, but without high-beam assist, received a Marginal overall rating.
| Headlight Evaluation (Standard Trims) | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | M |
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems can significantly reduce or prevent frontal collisions. The 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan offers optional Frontal Collision Warning systems with City Collision Mitigation or Extended Collision Mitigation. Both systems were rated as Superior in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests, demonstrating collision avoidance in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests.
| Front Crash Prevention System (Optional) | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
| Forward collision warning | Meets requirements |
| 12 mph test | Collision avoided |
| 25 mph test | Collision avoided |
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchor ease of use is important for proper child restraint installation. The 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan’s LATCH system received an Acceptable rating. It features two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor.
| Child Seat Anchors (LATCH) Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | A |
Conclusion
Overall, the 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan demonstrates excellent safety performance in IIHS crash tests, earning top Good ratings in most evaluations. Particularly strong in structural integrity and occupant protection in various crash scenarios, the 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan provides a safe and secure driving experience. While headlight ratings vary depending on trim level, and LATCH system ease of use is rated as Acceptable, the vehicle’s crashworthiness and available front crash prevention technologies contribute to its strong safety profile. For those prioritizing safety in a luxury sedan, the 2018 BMW 5 Series Sedan stands out as a highly rated option.
