The 2014 BMW F10 5 Series was just put to the test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and things didn’t go exactly dandy. The full-size sedan received only a ‘Marginal’ rating for the demanding small overlap test.
The IIHS spooked the automotive world a while back when it introduced the small overlap test. Most cars of the time failed it, since the manufacturers were used to creating vehicles that would withstand side, full frontal and rear collisions but weren’t prepared to take on such an event.
Over the years, most of them improved their cars but it looks like some models still have problems with this particular test. In the most recent batch of cars tested, the BMW 5 Series received just the Marginal rating which is basically one short step above ‘Poor’.
What does that mean?
Simply put: you’re not too well protected in case your car gets into such an accident. According to the IIHS in case of the 5 Series the driver space was not maintained well in case of a small overlap incident.
Maximum intrusion of the interior was of 30 cm at the footrest and 14 cm at the instrument panel level. Furthermore, the steering column was pushed 8 cm towards the chest of the driver. That translates into injuries to the left lower part of your legs in case of such a crash.
Is there any good news?
There is. The F10 5 Series received the highest rating in all other tests. Therefore, for moderate overlap front crashes as well as the ones happening from the sides and if the car lands of the roof, you’ll be well protected.
Front crash prevention was also praised being rated as ‘Superior’ but only with optional equipment. That includes Collision Warning with braking function and the Driver Assistance Plus package that includes automatic cruise control with stop & go function and active driving assistant.
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