The first-generation X1 got good ratings in all crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the US, except the marginal rating it received in the small overlap front crash test.
Now, the second-gen X1 test revealed an improvement in this area, pushing up the X1’s overall safety rating. In the latest test there was a maximum intrusion of about 10cm at the lower door hinge pillar and the instrument panel. That’s a vast improvement on the previous X1 where intrusion reached 40cm at the footwell, trapping the test dummy’s right foot.
The old X1 did not have a front crash prevention system, while the new generation includes it as optional equipment and this received an advanced rating from the IIHS. In test, the front crash prevention system reduced the impact speed when travelling at at 20km/h by an average of 16km/h, while in 40km/h test the impact speed was diminished by 11km/h.
The 2016 BMW X1 scored the Top Safety Pick+ award, unlike its predecessor which only received a Top Safety Pick.
Read our driving impression of the 2016 BMW X1.