2026 What Car? Safety Award winner crowned
Thatcham Research has announced that the BMW X has been crowned winner of the 2026 What Car? Safety Award.
It rated every model on safety, security and sustainable repair.
The X3 stood out because of its ADAS features, including Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, an Intelligent Speed Limiter and Occupant Status Monitoring.
It also features a pop-up bonnet, a crucial passive safety feature for Vulnerable Road Users (VRU) such as pedestrians and cyclists. If involved in a front-end collision, the bonnet will lift, preventing VRUs from striking hard components within the engine bay.
Critical phase
Richard Billyeald, chief research and operations officer at Thatcham Research, said: “With many safety technologies now mandated by regulation, we’re entering a critical phase of adoption. Carmakers are working to meet ever tightening requirements while balancing a host of other design, performance and sustainability pressures.
“It’s an incredibly tough environment. But ultimately, the real test is whether these systems work with drivers in the real world. If drivers reject them and switch off the technology, the safety benefit is lost.
“The BMW X3 shows that it is possible to get the balance right. Its ADAS performance was consistently accurate in our assessments, avoided unnecessary interventions and delivered a genuinely collaborative driving experience. When technology earns a driver’s trust, we unlock an unrivalled opportunity to reduce collisions and save lives.”
Runner up was the Smart #5, which impressed judges with its intuitive, well-rounded safety systems which made it easier for drivers to engage with and benefit from in everyday use.
