The iX EV SUV seems to be ticking a lot of the right boxes for BMW. Not only are they flying off the shelves – even here in Malaysia – despite outcries online concerning its looks, but it has also just received a full five-star rating in the Euro NCAP safety assessment that was recently “intensified” under the new 2020 test standards.
While not specifically “best in class” results (Euro NCAP stopped publishing a “best in class” list since 2019), the BMW iX is still one of the highest-scoring vehicles within the “Large Off-road” category that have been tested according to the new 2020 standards, scoring five stars in all four categories in the assessment.
The BMW iX scored a total of 91% in the adult occupant protection tests, with testers noting the effectiveness of the new interactive airbag between the driver and front passenger seats, which provides additional protection against injury in the event of a side collision.
Child safety in the BMW iX was also given the highest possible score for both frontal and side collisions, although points were deducted for not providing ISOFIX mounts on the front passenger seat and the rear centre seat.
The advanced driver assistance features on board the BMW iX also helped the fully-electric SUV score five stars in both the “vulnerable road users” and “safety assist” assessments. Particularly on the former, there’s also an Active Bonnet feature that automatically sets off (by pyrotechnics, no less) to help protect road users’ heads in the event of a collision.
BMW also points out that in addition to the restraint systems and tech smarts, the iX’s construction itself already takes into account its passenger’s safety and protection, particularly with its aluminium spaceframe concept with a carbon cage for the passenger compartment, as well as the “particularly torsion-resistant” carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) components that have been installed in the roof, side, and rear sections of the SUV.
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“The BMW iX sets new standards in sustainability, and its top rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP underlines the vehicle’s comprehensive sustainability concept,” says BMW Head of Vehicle Safety, Dominik Schuster.
“The extremely stable body structure and the extended range of restraint systems ensure an outstanding level of occupant protection. In addition, the BMW iX scores highly both in the test programme and in everyday driving with innovative driver assistance systems that significantly reduce the risk of accidents in a wide array of situations.”
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