BMW iX3 first to five stars under ANCAP rules that punish annoying tech

Key takeaways

• BMW iX3 first five-star car under 2026 ANCAP rules
• Physical controls and eCall now factor into safety scores
• Post-crash safety scored 95%, the iX3's strongest result

The BMW iX3 has become the first vehicle tested under ANCAP's tougher 2026 safety protocols, and it has come away with the maximum five-star rating.

ANCAP updates its criteria every three years, but the safety body calls this the most comprehensive framework in its three-decade history. Cars are now judged across four stages: how well they support the driver, how they avoid crashes, how they protect occupants, and what happens in the minutes after impact.

The headline change for buyers is that annoying tech now costs points. Lane keeping systems are assessed on how naturally they behave, and vehicles that bury core functions in a touchscreen are marked down.

That played to the iX3's strengths. BMW kept physical controls for the indicators, hazard lights, horn, gear selector and headlights, and ANCAP singled that out.

BMW iX3 ANCAP safety scores

The five-star result covers both variants sold in Australia, the iX3 40 and the iX3 50 xDrive.

Where the iX3 shone, and where it didn't

In a new on-road assessment of speed sign recognition, the iX3 correctly identified 73% of speed limit changes, covering 92% of the distance driven. Its emergency braking exceeded Australian and European regulatory requirements, and lane departure avoidance was described by ANCAP as a standout.

Crash protection was strong, with maximum scores in all side impact tests and for the front passenger in the new three-dummy full-width frontal test.

It wasn't flawless. The iX3 can't detect seatbelt misuse or a front passenger sitting out of position, and its driver monitoring is better at picking fatigue and impairment than distraction.

Post-crash safety was its best result at 95%. The iX3's eCall system automatically sends crash location and severity to emergency services, and BMW provides it to Australian owners for the life of the vehicle. Battery isolation worked after every crash test, the electric door handles stayed operable, and a manual release is fitted.

ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg said the new requirements push manufacturers to build systems "that drivers are happy to leave switched on."

Explore the full BMW range, or compare the iX3 against electric SUV rivals.

The Neue Klasse just became the compliance template

The iX3 is the first Neue Klasse model, and this result effectively locks its control layout in as BMW's blueprint through 2028. The sharper implication is for screen-first rivals. Brands that moved gear selection and lighting controls into touchscreens will struggle to match this score without hardware changes, not software updates, and hardware changes take a model cycle. Expect the next wave of electric SUVs launched in Australia to quietly reinstate physical switchgear.

Five stars just got harder to earn, and the first car through has set the bar with buttons, not screens. Every EV arriving in Australia from here gets judged against the iX3's result.

Frequently asked questions

Is the BMW iX3 a five-star ANCAP car?

Yes. The BMW iX3 scored five stars under ANCAP's stricter 2026 protocols, the first vehicle tested against them. The rating covers the iX3 40 and 50 xDrive.

What changed in ANCAP testing for 2026?

Cars are now scored across four stages: safe driving, crash avoidance, crash protection and post crash. New tests include rollover protection, a motorcycle T-bone scenario and eCall assessment.

How much does the BMW iX3 cost in Australia?

The iX3 40 starts at $89,990 before on-road costs, with the iX3 50 xDrive from $109,900 before on-road costs.