2021 BMW 5 series

large luxury car / 4-door sedan

2021 BMW 5 series 4-door sedan
2017 BMW 5 series shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
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

Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior
Standard system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard 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 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 BMW 540i 4-door

The BMW 5 series was redesigned for the 2017 model year.

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

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1706
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Footrest (cm) 12
Left toepan (cm) 11
Brake pedal (cm) 5
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 3
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Upper dash (cm) 2
Lower instrument panel (cm) 2

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1706
Head
HIC-15 183
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 23
Maximum Nij 0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.5
Right 1.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.33
Right 0.49
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 3.0
Right 2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 139
Right 80

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 BMW 540i 4-door

The BMW 5 series was redesigned for the 2017 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1723
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Footrest (cm) 19
Right toepan (cm) 15
Center toepan (cm) 7
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Upper dash (cm) 4
Right lower dash (cm) 5

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1723
Head
HIC-15 180
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 18
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 26
Femur (kN)
Left 1.9
Right 0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 3
Right 5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.54
Right 0.84
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 3.6
Right 4.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 104
Right 195

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1723
Head
HIC-15 76
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 2
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.42
Right 0.25
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.2
Right 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 43
Right 35

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 BMW 540i 4-door

The BMW 5 series was redesigned for the 2017 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1708
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 1
Left (cm) 1
Center (cm) 1
Right (cm) 1
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -2
Rearward (cm) -5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1708
Head
HIC-15 87
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm) 26
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.8
Femur force - right (kN) 0.7
Knee displacement - left (mm) 6
Knee displacement - right (mm) 3
Maximum tibia index - left 0.32
Maximum tibia index - right 0.37
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.2
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 46
Right 77

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 BMW 540i 4-door

The BMW 5 series was redesigned for the 2017 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by BMW.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1706
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -22.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1706
Head HIC-15 95
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 28
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 37
Average deflection (mm) 33
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.97
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.74
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.8
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.0
Combined force (kN) 1.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.3
L-M moment (Nm) 76
A-P moment (Nm) -31

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1706
Head HIC-15 132
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 22
Lateral force (kN) 1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 20
Average deflection (mm) 19
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.69
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.17
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.9
Acetabulum force (kN) 0.9
Combined force (kN) 1.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.6
L-M moment (Nm) 50
A-P moment (Nm) 40

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 BMW 540i 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,822 lbs
Peak force20,991 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.49

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) -13
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 15.9
Head contact time (ms) 59
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 436

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

Headlights

Trim level(s)

  • 540xi trim
  • 530xi trim
  • 540i trim
  • 530i trim
  • 540xi trim
  • 530xi trim
  • 540i trim
  • 530i trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

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

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 on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 540xi trim
  • 530xi trim
  • 540i trim
  • 530i trim
  • 540xi trim
  • 530xi trim
  • 540i trim
  • 530i trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-21 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 83.1 m None
Straightaway left edge 51.2 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 67.2 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 52.6 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.6 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 49.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 173.5 m
Straightaway left edge 151.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 90.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 81.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 68.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 61.4 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

  • Optional Frontal Collision Warning with Extended Collision Mitigation

Package name

  • Optional Driver Assistance Plus II

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2017-21 models

Superior
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

  • Standard Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-21 models

Superior
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.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim540i
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.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim540i
Seat type leather
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
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

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
difficult to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
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
difficult to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 49
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 51
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

Seat position 22

2

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

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 51
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 49
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