ANCAP crash test results

BMW X5 (LHD) | 2003

Important note: The left-hand-drive European model was tested by EuroNCAP. Australasian specifications may vary and therefore models sold in Australasia might provide different levels of protection to those described on this page.

Dual front and side airbags + head-protecting airbags

Model history and safety features

The tested model of BMW X5, with advanced seat belt reminders, was introduced in 2003.

Dual front airbags, side airbags and head-protecting inflatable tubes are standard equipment. ABS brakes and electronic stability control are also standard.

The front seat belt buckles are mounted on the seats and the upper anchorages are adjustable. These features improve the fit of the seat belt. Pretensioners are fitted to the front seat belts to reduce slack in the event of a crash. A three point seat belt is fitted to the centre rear seat. This provides better protection than a two point seat belt.

Overall evaluation:

The BMW X5 scored 12.66 out of 16 in the offset crash test. The passenger compartment held its shape well. Protection from serious chest and leg injury was marginal for the driver.

The vehicle scored 16 out of 16 in the side impact crash test. A further 2 points were scored in the optional pole test. The advanced seat belt reminder earned the vehicle 2 extra points and this gave a 5 star rating (minimum 32.5 pts).

Frontal offset crash test

Body region scores out of 4 points each: Head/neck 4pts, chest 2.66pts, upper legs 2pts, lower legs 4pts.

The passenger compartment held its shape well in the offset crash test. The brake pedal moved rearwards by 56mm and upwards 24mm. The steering wheel hub moved rearwards 12mm, upwards 24mm and sideways 3mm. The front ("A") pillar moved 22mm rearwards. All doors remained closed during the crash. After the crash all doors could be opened with normal effort.

The airbag cushioned the head of the driver and contact was stable. Dash components were a potential source of injury for the driver and passenger knees.

Side impact crash test

Body region scores out of 4 points each: Head 4pts, chest 4pts, abdomen 4pts, pelvis 4pts.

This test simulates a fairly small car striking the driver's door of the vehicle under test. It is based on a regulation test but the regulation does not apply to vehicles with a high seat height like the X5. Such vehicles can be expected to perform relatively well in this particular side impact test. The vehicle was eligible for an optional pole impact test, since it had head-protecting side airbags (tubes) and scored four points for the head in the side impact test. The manufacturer decided to go ahead with the pole test and the vehicle earned a further two points.

Injury measurements

	Offset crash test at 64km/h		Side impact crash test at 50km/h
	Driver	Passn	Driver
Head HIC	314	213	21
Acceleration (g for 3ms)	45.4	39.1	14.7
Neck - Shear (kN)	0.22	0.25	-
- Tension (kN)	0.48	0.36	-
- Extension (Nm)	12.81	11.54	-
Chest Accin (g for 3ms)	-	-	-
Compression (mm)	31.4	27.59	8.53
Viscous criterion (m/s)	0.15	0.1	0.02
Abdomen - Force (kN)	-	-	0.28
Pelvis - Force (kN)	-	-	0.41
Upper legs - Force    Left	0.24	1.09
(kN)      Right	1.28	0.15
Knee displ (mm)       Left	0.27	5.25
Right	0.35	0.48
Lower legs - Force    Left	1.09	1.55
(kN)      Right	1.63	1.61
Index (Upper/Low)    Left	0.34/0.22	0.2/0.31
Right	0.29/0.22	0.37/0.17

Bonus points (maximum 5)

Pole test: 2pts
Seat belt reminders: 2pts

Pedestrian rating (2002 protocol):

1.69 points out of 36.

Child head impacts 0.72pts; adult head impacts 0.97pts; upper leg nil pts and lower leg impacts nil pts.

ANCAP one-page printable version (PDF 29KB)

Page created: 23 March 2004