2011 BMW X3 CRASH TEST

The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. Dummy readings indicated good protection for the knees and femurs of both the driver and front passenger dummies and BMW showed that a similar level of protection would be offered to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different seating positions. The X3 scored maximum points for the protection it provided in the side barrier test. In the more severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was weak. The front seat and head restraint provided marginal protection against whiplash injuries in a rear-end collision.Based on dummy readings in the frontal and side impact tests, the X3 scored maximum points for protection of the 3 year child and lost only a fraction of a point for the 18 month old child. Althought the passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position, insufficient information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag preventing any reward for the system. Permanently attached labels on the sun visor clearly warn of the dangers of using a rearward facing child seat in that position without first disabling the airbag.