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The BMW iX3 has kicked off its Neue Klasse chapter with a resounding safety verdict. Independent tester Euro NCAP has handed the electric SUV the full five stars, and the iX3 earned them under the toughest crash regime yet. It was one of the very first cars judged against the heavily revised 2026 protocols. Better still, it cleared the five-star threshold by a comfortable margin.
The new procedure is the biggest shake-up of the ratings since the combined system arrived in 2009. Rather than leaning on crash tests alone, it now grades a car across four stages. Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection and Post Crash Safety all count towards the final score. The emphasis has shifted firmly towards everyday scenarios on the road.
The iX3 posted strong numbers throughout. It managed 73 per cent for Safe Driving, a full 13 points clear of what a five-star result demands. Its speed limit display read the correct figure on 97 per cent of a 2,000km route threading through Italy, France, Germany and Austria. In the Crash Avoidance stage, it scored 83 per cent, helped by front collision warning with automatic braking. An exit warning also flags cyclists closing from behind before occupants swing a door open.
Protection for those on board proved just as convincing. The iX3 recorded 86 per cent for Crash Protection, taking maximum points for the child dummies riding in the rear during an asymmetric frontal impact. Side-impact results were equally sharp, and a standard central airbag kept the front occupants from clashing heads. The car then saved its best for Post Crash Safety, banking a lofty 95 per cent for its emergency features and rescue provisions.
One detail stands out for anyone wary of modern EV door handles. The iX3 uses flush-fitting electric handles, and assessors confirmed they still released after every single crash test. A mechanical backup lets occupants climb out and first responders reach in, even with the electrics dead. Add an emergency call system that transmits two sets of GPS coordinates, and the iX3 sets a fresh safety benchmark for the Neue Klasse era.
