The redesigned 2024 BMW 5 Series sedan has another qualification to recommend it: a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The mildly refreshed 2024 X5 SUV, however, misses the mark.
To qualify as a Top Safety Pick+, the agency’s highest designation, a vehicle must earn top marks in three different frontal crash tests as well as a side impact test. Additionally, all available headlights must meet illumination requirements, and a crash prevention system that passes both daytime and nighttime pedestrian detection tests has to be at least available as an option. IIHS rates crash protection and headlight illumination on a scale of poor, marginal, acceptable or good; crash prevention systems are rated basic, advanced or superior.
The 2024 5 Series turned in qualifying performances in all four crash tests, and all available headlights also earned top marks. Additionally, the standard crash prevention system earned a superior rating in both pedestrian detection exercises.
In announcing the 5 Series’ award, IIHS also said the 2024 X5 qualified for a Top Safety Pick award in all crash tests and the crash prevention evaluations; however, the SUV’s standard headlights only rated marginal due to inadequate illumination, keeping it from earning either a Top Safety Pick+ or lesser Top Safety Pick award. IIHS noted the standard headlights on the X5 M60i rated acceptable
