2017 BMW 5 Series Earns Top IIHS Safety Award+ +VIDEO

ARLINGTON, Va. — The redesigned 2017 BMW 5 series offers good protection in a small overlap front crash, in contrast to the previous generation of the large luxury car, which didn't hold up well during the small overlap test.

The 2017 5 series qualifies for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ award, thanks to across-the-board good crashworthiness, an optional front crash prevention system with a superior rating, and available good-rated headlights.

In the small overlap test of the 2017 model, the driver space was maintained well, with maximum intrusion of 5 inches at the footrest. The airbags and safety belt worked well together to control the dummy's movement, and measures taken from the dummy indicated a low risk of any significant injuries in a real-world crash of the same severity.

In contrast, when the earlier model was tested, maximum intrusion reached 12 inches at the footrest, and the steering column was pushed back 3 inches toward the driver. Measures taken from the dummy indicated that injuries to the left lower leg would be likely in a real-world crash, with possible injuries to the left foot as well.

In order to earn the 2017 Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must have good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as an available front crash prevention system with an advanced or superior rating and headlights that earn an acceptable or good rating.

The 2017 5 series has two different optional front crash prevention systems, both earning a superior rating. In IIHS track tests, cars equipped with each system avoided collisions at 12 mph and 25 mph.

The 5 series also has two different headlight systems available. The headlights that come with the optional lighting or premium package earn a good rating, while the standard ones are rated marginal.