BMW iX3 the first five-star vehicle under tougher 2026 ANCAP standards

The BMW iX3 SUV is the first vehicle to achieve a five-star safety rating under the new, stricter 2026 crash-testing protocols introduced by Australia's new-vehicle safety watchdog and its European partner.

ANCAP and Euro NCAP worked together to introduce the new criteria in 2026, with procedures updated every three years to keep pace with changing safety technology.

The BMW iX3 scored a five-star rating under the new protocols and is the first vehicle from any manufacturer to do so after it was tested by Euro NCAP at its facility in Germany.

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“The BMW iX3 is the first model we’ve put through this new rating process, and its specification and performance have captured the essence of the new requirements,” said ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg in a statement.

“Our 2026 requirements encourage even better protection for a broader range of occupants through restraint systems and vehicle designs that cater for people of different body types and sizes.

“Fuel leakage and EV [electric vehicle] battery integrity are also now reviewed as part of the crash-test assessments – particularly relevant given the increasing number of electric vehicles now on our roads.”

The new-generation iX3, revealed last year and already in BMW Australia showrooms, is the first Neue Klasse model, setting the standard both technically and design-wise for the German brand's upcoming models.

Euro NCAP test data was used by ANCAP to assess the entry-level iX3 40, priced from $89,990 before on-road costs, and the iX3 50 xDrive, priced from $109,900 before on-road costs – the only two model grades launched in Australia so far.

The new protocols focus on four 'stages of safety': Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection and Post Crash. They're designed to evaluate not only the vehicle's crash performance, but also the technology and features before and after a collision.

The iX3 scored 71 per cent in the Safe Driving stage, which looks at functions such as the layout of controls – a response to drivers being distracted when key features are buried in touchscreen menus – and advanced driver assistance systems.

Here, the iX3 was marked down for its phone call operation and climate control functions, but scored highly for its adaptive cruise control, speed assistance system and fatigue monitoring.

The Crash Avoidance stage saw the iX3 perform strongly, with an 83 per cent score, including the highest 'Good' rating for its lane departure collision avoidance system, which ANCAP described as a "standout".

The third stage, Crash Protection, saw the BMW score 86 per cent overall.

Within this category, the iX3 achieved the highest possible 100 per cent rating for rear passengers (children) in the 50km/h frontal offset test.

It also achieved 100 per cent for the driver in the 32km/h oblique pole test, 100 per cent for front passengers in the 35km/h full-width frontal test, and 100 per cent for all passengers in the 60km/h side impact test.

It scored 64 per cent overall for vulnerable road user impact tests, with a score of 61 per cent for child pedestrians, while adult pedestrians and cyclist scores were both 62 per cent.

The fourth and final pillar, Post Crash, saw the iX3 rated at 95 per cent. This section measures the effectiveness of the vehicle's emergency crash notification (eCall) system, which ANCAP requires automakers to provide for at least six years – a requirement BMW meets.

It also assessed battery safety and post-fire risk, and confirmed the presence of a manual mechanical door release, with vehicles using electric-only door handles now marked down if they don't have a non-powered mechanical backup to allow entry and exit.

ANCAP is expected to publish the results of its first test conducted in Australia under the new protocols in the coming months, with the safety body telling CarExpert earlier this year the BYD Sealion 5 was still on its hit list.

The Sealion 5 wasn't provided by BYD to ANCAP for testing when it was launched here in 2025, with the automaker instead supplying the Sealion 8 – its first seven-seat SUV.

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