The new-generation BMW iX3 will be one of the first vehicles to face tougher crash-testing protocols introduced this year by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).
Speaking to childcareman.xyz at a media conference in Belgium, Euro NCAP technical director Richard Schram said the new mid-size electric SUV – which will be available in Australia in mid-2026 will become one of first models tested under the brand new safety assessment regime.
With both safety bodies working on the new 2026 protocols, Euro NCAP will share its test results with the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
I’m going to be testing in the next couple of weeks, starting with test series and then publication will be July.’ Mr Schram said ‘We’re testing – we’d say it was just about two weeks before our tests were started.
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“One of the cars I know at least is the BMW iX3, which I really look forward to,” he added.
“Because this is a car I know talking to BMW and driving the prototypes, really has built up this consumer acceptance element of [driver assist tech] just intervening when needed – let the driver go when they’re listening.
“This should be a really good example as far as IFC [Intelligent Front Camera] now.”
The iX3 is the first of BMW’s Neue Klasse models, which the German automaker has spent €10 billion ($16.5bn) developing.
It also introducing an artificial intelligence (AI) powered voice command-based BMW iDrive system as one of the most important electric vehicle (EV) that it has ever introduced, along with new advanced driver assist systems (ADAS)).
In this case, a key technology in this is ‘BMW Symbiotic Drive’ which mixes the AI data with ADAS functions to create what has been described as ‘an easier driving experience (fitting into Euro NCAP’s direction for future testing protocols including those that are planned on 2029).
The iX3 will be priced from $109,900 before on-road costs when it arrives in Australia, and offer a claimed 805km driving range on the WLTP cycle.
That means it will be both cheaper and longer-range than key rivals including the Audi Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan 4, Genesis Electrified GV70, and the first Mercedes-Benz GLC EV due to arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026 (October to December).
The second BMW Neue Klasse model has been confirmed as the i3, a mid-size electric sedan about the same size as BMW’s iconic 3 Series and boasting a claimed 900km range.
ANCAP protocols The first local crash test under the 2026 is likely to be held in about April/May, before the results are published in July.
While it’s not confirmed, the BYD Sealion 5 mid-size SUV is a strong candidate for the inaugural 2026-spec ANCAP test, after the Chinese brand prioritised a safety rating for its Sealion 8 seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV in 2025.
2026 ANCAP safety protocols are here: What you need to know
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