BMW i4 Just Shy Of A Perfect 5-Star Euro NCAP Crash Rating

The all-electric BMW i4 has been crash-tested by Euro NCAP and it has received a slightly less than perfect four out of five stars in the safety assessment. Slightly surprising, as most of BMW’s high-end offerings, including the larger iX SUV, have secured the full five stars in the stringent crash tests. 

The BMW i4 tested recently features all sorts of safety equipment, including at least 6 airbags, ISOFIX child-seat mounts and even Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The electric sedan secured 87 per cent in Adult Occupant and Child Occupant Protection (AOP and COP), 71 per cent in Vulnerable Road Users test and 64 per cent in Safety Assist. These numbers are slightly lesser than even the Polo that was tested in March 2022. 

The i4’s bodyshell was rated stable and its occupants were well shielded from impact. The knees and femurs of both the front occupants had good protection, while all critical body parts were adequately secure in the full width rigid-barrier impact. The i4 secured maximum points in the side barrier and side pole impact tests, where the occupants had good protection. And, when it comes to whiplash injuries, the head restraints for all the occupants offered good protection. 

In the COP test, protection for both the six- and 10-year-old dummies was good in the frontal offset and the side impact barrier tests. Plus, the co-driver’s airbag can be switched off if you place a child seat in the front seat. All of this has helped the i4 to secure maximum points in this particular assessment. 

The i4 also boasts a few features to protect pedestrians, such as an active bonnet that lifts the hood slightly to soften the blow for the pedestrian. The bumper also offers good protection to pedestrian’s legs, but the pelvis received poor protection. It also gets autonomous emergency braking, which performs adequately in response to pedestrians and cyclists. The i4 also received flak for not applying the brakes to avoid secondary collisions after a crash.

So, by the looks of it, the i4 might be a solidly built car, but the way its certain features work has resulted in it losing a star. The braking system not stopping the car to avoid a secondary collision is an example. In India, the electric sedan is priced from Rs 69.99 lakh (ex-showroom) and locks horns with the Kia EV6, Volvo XC40 Recharge, and the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5.