BMW 1 Series scores four stars in ANCAP safety testing

The BMW 1 Series has received a four-star ANCAP safety rating under the latest 2023-2025 testing protocols. The premium hatchback delivered strong results in Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection and Safety Assist testing. However, its Adult Occupant Protection score of 78% fell just below the 80% threshold required for a five-star ANCAP rating.

ANCAP announced the result alongside ratings for the closely related BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, as well as the Toyota Hilux BEV, Subaru Trailseeker and Subaru Uncharted. According to ANCAP, the BMW 1 Series performed well in crash-avoidance testing, but its overall rating was limited by its frontal crash-test performance.

BMW 1 Series safety score breakdown

Adult Occupant Protection – 78%

The BMW 1 Series achieved an Adult Occupant Protection score of 78% (31.24/40). In the Mobile Progressive Deformable Barrier (MPDB) frontal offset crash test, ANCAP identified an elevated risk of chest injury for the driver. Dashboard structures also posed a potential upper-leg injury risk to both front-seat occupants.

The full-width frontal crash test revealed an increased risk of chest injuries for both the driver and a rear passenger. Despite these findings, the BMW 1 Series scored strongly in other crash assessments. It achieved the maximum six points in side-impact testing and pole-impact testing, while also earning four points for far-side impact protection.

Read more: Tesla Model Y L earns top-tier ANCAP rating

Child Occupant Protection – 86%

The BMW 1 Series scored 86% (42.37/49) for Child Occupant Protection. ANCAP awarded 15.57 points for dynamic frontal crash performance and the maximum eight points for dynamic side-impact performance. The vehicle also scored 11.81 points for child restraint installation and seven points for on-board child safety features.

Vulnerable Road User Protection – 85%

The BMW 1 Series achieved an 85% (53.92/63) score for Vulnerable Road User Protection.

Its strongest results included:

• Head protection for pedestrians, cyclists and children: 12.53 points
• Femur protection: 4.50 points
• Pelvis protection: 4.17 points
• Knee and tibia protection: 8.59 points
• AEB Cyclist: 8.57 points
• AEB Motorcycle: 6.00 points

The BMW did not score points in ANCAP’s AEB Pedestrian Backover assessment.

Read more: MG4 EV Urban earns 5-star ANCAP rating

Safety Assist – 81%

The BMW 1 Series scored 81% (14.61/18) for Safety Assist. Its strongest result came in front-to-rear Autonomous Emergency Braking testing, where it earned 3.75 points. Junction and crossing assistance scored 3.47 points, while the lane support system achieved the maximum three points.

Additional scores included:

• Seatbelt reminders: 1.00 point
• Driver monitoring: 0.25 points
• Speed Assistance System: 2.15 points
• Head-on collision avoidance: 1.00 point

Standard safety equipment of the BMW 1 Series

The BMW 1 Series comes standard with:

• Dual frontal airbags
• Side chest-protecting airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Front centre airbag
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK)
• Speed Assistance System (SAS)
• Traffic Sign Recognition

Read more: 2026 ANCAP safety protocols testing to officially start soon

Final words

The BMW 1 Series came close to achieving a five-star ANCAP rating, missing the required Adult Occupant Protection benchmark by just two percentage points. While its frontal crash test performance ultimately limited the overall result, the hatchback performed strongly across child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection and active safety assessments.

For buyers considering a premium small hatchback, the BMW 1 Series still offers a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, though it falls just short of ANCAP’s highest safety benchmark.

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