Leading ADAS implementation sees BMW X3 crowned 2026’s safest car

Thatcham Research, which rates every car for safety, security and sustainable repair, has announced the winner of the 2026 What Car? Safety Award.

Following a rigorous judging process involving Thatcham Research experts and What Car? magazine, the BMW X3 has been crowned 2026’s safest car.

The X3 stood out to judges because of the “exemplary implementation” of its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) which can detect other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, Lane Keep Assist (LKA), an Intelligent Speed Limiter and Occupant Status Monitoring.

In addition to offering strong protection to occupants in a collision, the X3 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.

Richard Billyeald, chief research and operations officer at Thatcham Research commented: “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.”