The Bmw X5 2020 marks a redesign of this popular luxury SUV, and safety is a key aspect for potential buyers. This article provides a detailed overview of the BMW X5 2020 safety ratings, based on evaluations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We delve into crash test performance, headlight assessments, front crash prevention, and child seat anchor ease of use, offering a comprehensive look at how the BMW X5 2020 prioritizes occupant safety.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver and Passenger Sides
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object. The BMW X5 2020 performed admirably in this challenging test, earning a “Good” rating for both driver-side and passenger-side evaluations.
Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
In the driver-side small overlap test, the BMW X5 2020 demonstrated excellent structural integrity. The structure and safety cage were rated “Good,” indicating that the vehicle effectively maintained the driver’s survival space. All driver injury measures – head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot – also received “Good” ratings. Restraints and dummy kinematics were also deemed “Good,” showcasing the effectiveness of the safety systems in controlling occupant movement during a crash.
The technical measurements from the driver-side test further illustrate the X5’s robust performance. Occupant compartment intrusion was minimal, with maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar being just 1 cm. Driver injury measures were also low, with a HIC-15 head injury criterion of 114 and low neck tension and bending moment. Leg and foot injury risks were also assessed as low, with minimal femur force and tibia index values.
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
The BMW X5 2020 also achieved a “Good” rating in the passenger-side small overlap test. Similar to the driver-side, the structure and safety cage held up well, ensuring occupant survival space was maintained. Passenger injury measures for head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were all rated “Good,” reflecting comprehensive protection for front-seat occupants. Restraints and dummy kinematics for the passenger were also rated “Good.”
Technical data from the passenger-side test showed slightly more occupant compartment intrusion compared to the driver-side, but still within acceptable limits. Passenger injury measures remained low, comparable to the driver-side results, indicating consistent safety performance across the front seating positions in small overlap crashes.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
In the moderate overlap front crash test, which involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacting a barrier, the BMW X5 2020 again earned a “Good” overall rating. The structure and safety cage were rated “Good,” and all driver injury measures, including head/neck, chest, and leg/foot (both left and right), were also rated “Good.” Driver restraints and dummy kinematics performed well, contributing to the high safety rating.
Technical measurements in the moderate overlap test indicated minimal footwell intrusion and instrument panel movement. Driver injury measures remained low, with a HIC-15 head injury criterion of 161, and controlled neck and chest compression values. Leg injury measures were also within safe parameters.
Side Crash Tests: Original and Updated Evaluations
The BMW X5 2020 underwent both the original and updated side crash tests by IIHS. In both evaluations, the vehicle achieved a “Good” overall rating, demonstrating robust side impact protection.
Original Side Crash Test
In the original side crash test, the BMW X5 2020 showed “Good” ratings for structure and safety cage, driver injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg), driver head protection, rear passenger injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg), and rear passenger head protection. This comprehensive “Good” rating signifies excellent protection in a traditional side impact scenario.
Technical measurements from the original side test showed minimal B-pillar intrusion into the occupant compartment. Driver and passenger injury measures were low across all categories, highlighting the effectiveness of the side airbags and structural design in mitigating injury risk.
Updated Side Crash Test (Side 2.0)
The updated side crash test, known as Side 2.0, is a more demanding evaluation. The BMW X5 2020 tested in this updated scenario also earned a “Good” overall rating. “Good” ratings were achieved for structure and safety cage, driver injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis), driver head protection, rear passenger injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis), and rear passenger head protection. This result reinforces the BMW X5 2020’s strong side impact protection even under more stringent testing conditions.
Technical measurements in the updated side test were also favorable, with minimal B-pillar intrusion and low injury measures for both driver and passenger dummies. These results confirm the BMW X5 2020’s ability to protect occupants in severe side impact crashes.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test evaluates a vehicle’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. The BMW X5 2020 achieved a “Good” rating in this test, with a strong strength-to-weight ratio of 5.26. This indicates that the roof structure is capable of supporting more than five times the vehicle’s weight, providing significant protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Evaluations of head restraints and seats in the BMW X5 2020 also resulted in a “Good” overall rating. Both the dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good.” This signifies that the head restraints are effectively designed to minimize whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime driving safety. The IIHS evaluated two different headlight variations available on the BMW X5 2020. Models equipped with the Icon Adaptive Headlights with Laser Light package earned a “Good” overall rating. These LED projector low beams and LED reflector high beams with curve-adaptive and high-beam assist features provided good visibility on straightaways and curves, with only some glare noted in low beams.
However, the standard LED projector headlights on other BMW X5 2020 trims received a “Poor” overall rating. While low beams offered good visibility on straightaways and curves, they produced excessive glare. High beams also provided inadequate visibility on straightaways, leading to the lower rating for this headlight configuration. This highlights the importance of opting for the Icon Adaptive Headlights with Laser Light package for optimal headlight performance on the BMW X5 2020.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
The BMW X5 2020 offers two front crash prevention systems: the standard Active Driving Assistant and the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional. Both systems earned a “Superior” rating in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests.
The standard system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, and meets forward collision warning requirements. The optional Active Driving Assistant Professional also avoided a collision at 12 mph and significantly reduced impact speed by 23 mph in the 25 mph test. These “Superior” ratings demonstrate the effectiveness of both BMW X5 2020 front crash prevention systems in mitigating or preventing vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) ease of use was evaluated as “Good” for the BMW X5 2020. The vehicle has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor. The lower anchors were generally rated as easy to access and maneuver around, ensuring straightforward installation of child car seats.
Conclusion
The BMW X5 2020 demonstrates exceptional safety performance across a range of IIHS crash tests and safety evaluations. With “Good” ratings in all crashworthiness tests, “Superior” ratings for front crash prevention systems, and a “Good” rating for LATCH ease of use (on certain positions), the BMW X5 2020 stands out as a safe choice in the luxury SUV segment. While headlight ratings vary depending on the trim and package, opting for the Icon Adaptive Headlights with Laser Light package ensures optimal visibility and a “Good” headlight rating. Overall, the BMW X5 2020 prioritizes safety, offering peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.
