The Bmw X3 2021, a luxury SUV, has undergone rigorous testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This article provides a comprehensive overview of the BMW X3 2021 safety ratings, focusing on crashworthiness and safety features based on IIHS evaluations. Understanding these ratings is crucial for prospective buyers prioritizing safety in their vehicle choice.
Small Overlap Front: Driver-Side
Rating applies to 2018-24 models
The BMW X3 2021 received a “Good” rating in the driver-side small overlap front crash test. This test evaluates how well a vehicle protects the driver in a collision involving the front corner of the vehicle.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The structural performance and safety cage of the BMW X3 2021 held up well in this demanding test. Injury measures for the driver dummy were all rated “Good,” indicating a low risk of significant injuries in a real-world crash of this type. Restraints and dummy kinematics were also rated “Good,” showing effective occupant control during the impact.
Action shot from BMW X3 2021 driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, highlighting vehicle deformation and safety system deployment.
Post-crash dummy position inside the 2021 BMW X3, demonstrating excellent maintenance of driver survival space and minimal intrusion.
BMW X3 2021 airbag deployment in small overlap test, showing effective head protection from frontal and side curtain airbags.
Footwell area of the BMW X3 2021 after driver-side small overlap crash, illustrating controlled intrusion and low risk of lower extremity injuries.
Technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test further detail the BMW X3 2021’s robust performance. Intrusion into the driver’s space was minimal across all measured points, indicating a strong safety cage. Driver injury measures were also low, with negligible risk to the head, neck, chest, hip, thigh, and lower leg/foot.
Small Overlap Front: Passenger-Side
Rating applies to 2018-24 models
The passenger-side small overlap front test is crucial as it assesses protection for the front passenger, and the BMW X3 2021 again earned a “Good” rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Similar to the driver-side test, the BMW X3 2021 demonstrated excellent structural integrity on the passenger side. Both passenger and driver injury measures received “Good” ratings, confirming consistent protection for occupants in the front seats during a small overlap frontal crash.
Technical data from the passenger-side test reinforces these “Good” ratings. Occupant compartment intrusion was well-controlled, and injury measures for both the passenger and driver dummies were minimal.
Moderate Overlap Front: Original Test
Rating applies to 2018-24 models
In the moderate overlap front test, which simulates a head-on collision between two vehicles of similar weight, the BMW X3 2021 again achieved a “Good” rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The BMW X3 2021’s performance in this test indicates robust protection in a common type of frontal collision. All driver injury measures were rated “Good,” demonstrating effective protection against injuries in a moderate overlap frontal crash scenario.
Technical measurements show minimal footwell intrusion and good control of steering column and instrument panel movement, contributing to the “Good” rating for structural performance and driver safety.
Side: Original Test
Rating applies to 2018-23 models
The side impact test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in a side collision. The BMW X3 2021 earned a “Good” rating in this test as well.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
The BMW X3 2021 provided excellent protection for both driver and rear passenger in the side impact test. All injury measures for both front and rear occupants were rated “Good,” highlighting the effectiveness of the side airbags and structural design in protecting against side collisions.
BMW X3 2021 side impact crash test, showing vehicle deformation and safety feature activation.
Interior damage of the BMW X3 2021 after side impact test, revealing side airbag deployment and occupant cell integrity.
Grease paint on driver dummy’s head in BMW X3 2021 side impact test, indicating head protection by side curtain airbag.
Grease paint on rear passenger dummy’s head in BMW X3 2021 side impact test, demonstrating head protection by side airbag.
Technical measurements confirm minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment during the side impact test. Injury measures for the driver and rear passenger dummies were low across all body regions, supporting the “Good” overall rating.
Roof Strength
Rating applies to 2018-23 models
The roof strength test assesses the vehicle’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. The BMW X3 2021 achieved a “Good” rating for roof strength.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,190 lbs |
| Peak force | 18,799 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.49 |
With a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.49, the BMW X3 2021’s roof is more than capable of supporting several times the vehicle’s weight, providing strong protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Seat type: Power leather seat
The BMW X3 2021’s head restraints and seats were also evaluated, receiving a “Good” overall rating, indicating good protection against whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Both dynamic performance and seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good,” confirming effective design in minimizing neck injuries in rear impacts.
Headlights
Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.
The BMW X3 2021 headlight ratings vary depending on the trim level. Models equipped with the Executive package, featuring LED projector low beams and LED reflector high beams with curve-adaptive functionality and high-beam assist, achieve a “Good” overall rating.
Trim level(s)
- All trims equipped with Executive package
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | G |
However, standard headlights on other trims, which are LED projector low and high beams with curve-adaptive functionality but without high-beam assist, receive a “Marginal” overall rating.
Trim level(s)
- All trims
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | M |
This indicates that for optimal headlight performance and safety, opting for the Executive package with its upgraded headlight system is advisable for the BMW X3 2021.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Ratings are given for 3 different trim variations available on this vehicle.
The BMW X3 2021 excels in front crash prevention, earning “Superior” ratings across all tested system variations.
System details
- Standard Active Guard
Overall evaluation
Applies to 2020-21 models
Superior
The standard Active Guard system, along with optional Active Driving Assistant and Active Driving Assistant Plus packages, all demonstrated the ability to avoid collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests.
System details
- Optional Active Driving Assistant
Package name
- Optional Driving Assistance Package
Overall evaluation
Applies to 2020-21 models
Superior
System details
- Optional Active Driving Assistant Plus
Package name
- Optional Driving Assistance Plus Package
Overall evaluation
Applies to 2020-21 models
Superior
These “Superior” ratings highlight the effectiveness of the BMW X3 2021’s forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems in preventing or mitigating frontal collisions.
Child Seat Anchors
Rating applies to 2018-24 models
For child seat installation, the BMW X3 2021 received a “Marginal” rating for LATCH ease of use.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | M |
| Vehicle trim | xDrive30i/xDrive28i |
| Seat type | leather |
While the BMW X3 2021 has LATCH hardware at multiple rear seating positions, some lower anchors are deeply set and difficult to maneuver around, making child seat installation somewhat challenging. However, it does feature easily located tether anchors for enhanced child seat security.
Conclusion
The BMW X3 2021 demonstrates excellent crashworthiness, achieving “Good” ratings in all IIHS crash tests that evaluate occupant protection. It also earns “Superior” ratings for front crash prevention systems. While headlight ratings vary by trim and child seat anchor ease of use is “Marginal,” the overall safety performance of the BMW X3 2021 is strong, making it a safe choice in the luxury SUV segment. Prospective buyers looking for a safe vehicle will find the BMW X3 2021 a compelling option, particularly when equipped with the Executive package for optimal headlights and choosing trim levels with advanced safety assistance features.
