Top Safety Pick +

2019 BMW 3 series

midsize luxury car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system	Superior
Optional system	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system	Superior
Optional system	Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Optional blind spot detection
Optional lane departure warning
Optional lane departure prevention

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 BMW 330i 4-door

The BMW 3 series sedan was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1907
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Footrest (cm)	14
Left toepan (cm)	15
Brake pedal (cm)	14
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Upper dash (cm)	3
Lower instrument panel (cm)	3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1907
Head
HIC-15	198
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	19
Maximum Nij	0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm)	31
Femur (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.40
Right	0.50
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	3.2
Right	2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	112
Right	94

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 BMW 330i 4-door

The BMW 3 series sedan was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1913
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Footrest (cm)	20
Right toepan (cm)	21
Center toepan (cm)	11
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	2
Right lower dash (cm)	3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1913
Head
HIC-15	211
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	22
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Femur (kN)
Left	0.7
Right	0.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.26
Right	0.48
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.3
Right	3.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	66
Right	117

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1913
Head
HIC-15	93
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm)	12
Maximum Nij	0.14
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Femur (kN)
Left	0.4
Right	0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.36
Right	0.27
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.1
Right	1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	41
Right	38

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 BMW 330i xDrive 4-door 4wd

The BMW 3 series sedan was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1911
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	1
Left (cm)	1
Center (cm)	1
Right (cm)	0
Brake pedal (cm)	1
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-4
Rearward (cm)	-8
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1911
Head
HIC-15	147
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	7
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.9
Femur force - right (kN)	1.2
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.36
Maximum tibia index - right	0.34
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.5
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	3.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	50
Right	64

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 BMW 330i 4-door

The BMW 3 series sedan was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS1913
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-17.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1913
Head HIC-15	275
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	27
Lateral force (kN)	1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	33
Average deflection (mm)	28
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.29
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.38
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.5
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.4
Combined force (kN)	1.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.2
L-M moment (Nm)	81
A-P moment (Nm)	44

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1913
Head HIC-15	186
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	19
Lateral force (kN)	1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	23
Average deflection (mm)	20
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.34
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.25
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.1
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.6
Combined force (kN)	3.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.6
L-M moment (Nm)	41
A-P moment (Nm)	39

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2019-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 BMW 330i 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,541 lbs
Peak force	20,287 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.73

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	23
Distance below top of head (mm)	10
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	13.3
Head contact time (ms)	57
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	311

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

330i trim equipped with Executive package
330i xDrive trim equipped with Executive package

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	330i trim equipped with Executive package 330i xDrive trim equipped with Executive package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2019-22 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	90.8 m	None
Straightaway left edge	55.8 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	87.4 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	57.1 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	69.3 m	None
150m radius left curve, right edge	54.0 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	172.8 m
Straightaway left edge	161.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	95.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	81.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	72.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	66.4 m

Trim level(s)

330i trim equipped with Convenience package
330i xDrive trim equipped with Convenience package

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	330i trim equipped with Convenience package 330i xDrive trim equipped with Convenience package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2019-20 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	91.9 m	20.4%
Straightaway left edge	56.3 m	20.4%
250m radius right curve, right edge	85.5 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	56.9 m	36.7%
150m radius right curve, right edge	78.5 m	None
150m radius left curve, right edge	59.9 m	36.9%

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	135.8 m
Straightaway left edge	114.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	90.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	77.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	81.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	65.2 m

Trim level(s)

330i trim
330i xDrive trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp right curve and inadequate on the gradual right and both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	330i trim 330i xDrive trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2019-20 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	76.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	43.2 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	51.2 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	43.5 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	47.8 m	None
150m radius left curve, right edge	44.2 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	119.5 m
Straightaway left edge	89.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	55.7 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	54.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	50.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	50.5 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 3 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

Standard Active Guard

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-23 models

Superior

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

Optional Active Driving Assistant Professional

Package name

Optional Active Driving Assistant Professional Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-23 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

Optional Active Driving Assistant

Package name

Optional Driving Assistance

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-23 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

standard Active Guard

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2019-23 models

Superior

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

System details

optional Active Driving Assistant Professional

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2019-23 models of the following trim lines: 330i trim equipped with Driving Assistance Professional package, 330 xDrive trim equipped with Driving Assistance Professional package

Advanced

with optional equipment

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle failed to slow.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 1 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 20 mph. A warning was issued 1.3 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	330i
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	330i
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	69
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	69
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	67
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	66
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation