Brand hub · IIHS data updated 2026-09-16
BMW Safety Ratings (2026)
Every current BMW model in IIHS records, scored with the same formula as our main ranking, plus real-world death rates for used BMW models where the data exists.
The safest current BMW is the 2026 BMW X3, scoring 97.2/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, #5 of 136 in our overall ranking. BMW has 8 current models in IIHS records, 4 with complete crash-test results; 3 earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick+ and 0 earned a Top Safety Pick.
BMW safety weighted by sales
BMW’s sales-weighted current-model score is 93.6/100, covering 60.4% of its 186,944 reported U.S. sales in January–June 2026. Its TSP+ sales-mix proxy is 50.4%. Ranges reflect unpublished variant splits, not statistical confidence intervals.
Sales basis: manufacturer release. BMW January–June 2026 U.S. sales. Checked 2026-09-16.
See sales weights, matched models and exclusions
| Sales bucket | Units / share | Current score | TSP+ mapping | Matched records / limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X5 | 41,554 22.2% | 94.7 | All mapped variants | 2026 BMW X5 |
| X3 | 37,671 20.2% | 97.2 | All mapped variants | 2026 BMW X3 |
| 3-Series | 18,731 10.0% | 84.2 | No current TSP+ | 2026 BMW 3 Series |
| 4-Series | 15,573 8.3% | Not available | Unresolved | 2026 BMW i4 Includes gasoline coupes/convertibles and Gran Coupe as well as i4. |
| X1 | 15,018 8.0% | 93.1 | All mapped variants | 2027 BMW X1 |
| X7 | 12,622 6.8% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| 5-Series | 12,473 6.7% | Not available | Unresolved | 2027 BMW 5 Series Combined powertrain sales; i5 is not a separate current rated record here. |
| 2-Series | 8,906 4.8% | Not available | Unresolved | Coupe and Gran Coupe are not interchangeable. |
| X6 | 6,822 3.6% | Not available | No current TSP+ | 2026 BMW X6 At least one mapped variant lacks complete scoring evidence; this sales bucket is excluded from the mean. |
| 7-Series | 5,181 2.8% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| X2 | 3,955 2.1% | Not available | No current TSP+ | 2027 BMW X2 At least one mapped variant lacks complete scoring evidence; this sales bucket is excluded from the mean. |
| iX | 3,445 1.8% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| 8-Series | 2,273 1.2% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| Z4 | 1,577 0.8% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| XM | 786 0.4% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| X4 | 357 0.2% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
How sales weighting and variant ranges work
Current ratings, weighted by January–June 2026 U.S. sales. The mean is the sum of each current score × its model’s sales, divided by sales with complete, compatible scores. High-volume models therefore count more. This changes brand aggregation only; individual vehicle scores and ranks are unchanged.
A range shows the possible mix of separately rated variants when their sales split is unpublished. We count a combined sales total once. Unmatched models, unresolved body styles and incomplete scores are excluded from the mean and reduce its sales coverage. Do not compare a brand covering a small slice of sales with one covering nearly its whole lineup as though the evidence were equal.
The TSP+ sales-mix proxy divides sales mapped to current TSP+ records by all reported brand sales. A range reflects award differences within mapped variants. Unmatched sales add nothing to this proxy; they are not rated failures. Current model years, build dates and required equipment still apply: this is a sales-mix comparison of current designs, not the percentage of vehicles delivered in the first half that actually qualified for an award. It is not a death-risk estimate.
Every current BMW ranked by safety
Where two vehicles score the same, the injury measures behind that score break the tie; vehicles matching on both share a rank. The score is 55% primary IIHS tests, 25% selected occupant-protection details, 10% pedestrian front crash prevention, and 10% class context. Missing evidence never counts as passing. Class rank compares each model with every vehicle in its IIHS class, not just other BMW models.
| Rank | Vehicle | Class | Class rank | IIHS award | Starts at | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 BMW X3 | Midsize luxury SUVs | 5 of 23 | TSP+ | ~$51,300 | 97.2 |
| 2 | 2026 BMW X5 | Midsize luxury SUVs | 13 of 23 | TSP+ | ~$68,300 | 94.7 |
| 3 | 2027 BMW X1 | Small SUVs | 5 of 28 | TSP+ | ~$43,200 | 93.1 |
| 4 | 2026 BMW 3 Series | Midsize luxury cars | 4 of 5 | No award | ~$47,500 | 84.2 |
Prices are approximate base MSRPs excluding destination. TSP+ is IIHS Top Safety Pick+; TSP is Top Safety Pick. Full weights and rules are on the methodology page.
4 BMW models still waiting on complete IIHS results
These are listed so you can see what has been tested. A missing result is never treated as a pass or a fail, so they are not ranked.
| Vehicle | Class | Primary tests reported | Detail results reported | IIHS award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 BMW 5 Series | Large cars | 3/4 | 3/4 | No award |
| 2027 BMW X2 | Small SUVs | 3/4 | 3/4 | No award |
| 2026 BMW X6 | Midsize luxury SUVs | 2/4 | 2/4 | No award |
| 2026 BMW i4 | Midsize luxury cars | 3/4 | 3/4 | No award |
Real-world death rates for used BMW models
Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years from the July 2026 IIHS driver death rate study (2021–2024 crashes), compared with the average for each model's class. Lower is better. These are older model years and are separate from the crash-test scores above.
| Vehicle | Model years | Driver death rate | Class average | 95% confidence bounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X7 4WD | 2020-23 | 0 | 10 | 0–17 |
| BMW X5 4WD | 2020-23 | 5 | 17 | 0–11 |
| BMW X5 2WD | 2020-23 | 6 | 17 | 0–17 |
| BMW X3 4WD | 2021-23 | 11 | 17 | 0–23 |
| BMW X3 2WD | 2021-23 | 34 | 17 | 0–71 |
Green means at or below the class average; red means above it. Every used model is on the safest used cars page.
Older BMW model years
Earlier model years with IIHS results on this site. They are not part of the current ranking.
- 2026 BMW 5 Series
- 2026 BMW X1
- 2026 BMW X2
- 2025 BMW X3Award applies only to vehicles built after April 2025
- 2025 BMW X5
Questions people ask about BMW safety
Is BMW a safe brand?
BMW has 8 current models in IIHS records, 4 with complete crash-test records. 3 earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and 0 earned a Top Safety Pick. The best current BMW is the 2026 BMW X3 at 97.2/100, #5 of 136 in our overall ranking. Safety varies more between models than between brands, so pick the model first.
What is the safest BMW?
The safest current BMW in our 2026 ranking is the 2026 BMW X3 (midsize luxury suvs), scoring 97.2/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. It ranks #5 of 23 in its class.
Which BMW models earned Top Safety Pick+ in 2026?
3 current BMW models earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+: BMW X3, BMW X5, BMW X1.
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