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2009 BMW 5-Series Safety Review

June 28, 2009

SAFETY | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Three stars, driver-side front impacts; five stars, passenger front impacts; five stars, side impacts
NHTSA

Marginal, side-impact protection
IIHS

visibility is only average
ConsumerGuide

The 2009 BMW 5-Series performed poorly in side-impact crash tests and in driver-side front impact tests—remarkably so for such an expensive vehicle, leading to its very low safety score.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the BMW 5-Series only three stars for driver front-impact protection—a result so surprising, it was widely reported in the non-automotive press. The bad news didn't end there; the insurance-industry-supported Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found the 5-Series sedan to be just "marginal" in side protection and "acceptable" for the sedan and wagon in the seat-based rear-impact test.

However, the 2009 BMW 5-Series incorporates an enviable list of safety standards. Edmunds says the 5-Series’ standard safety equipment includes “stability control, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags and front-and-rear side-curtain airbags. Rear-seat side airbags are optional and, due to safety concerns, you must specifically request that your dealer activate the bags if you order this option.”

According to Autoblog, there’s also some active and passive safety equipment worth noting: "Lane Departure Warning system provides an immediate but discreet notification when the car crosses into another lane without turn signals...[while the] body structure [is] engineered for excellent occupant protection in full and offset frontal impacts, side impacts and rear impacts,"

ConsumerGuide says "visibility is only average over the shoulder and to the rear." Edmunds also notes that the all-wheel-drive 5-Series comes with Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control.

Conclusion

The 2009 BMW 5-Series has plenty of safety features, but it's a severe underachiever in crash tests.

SAFETY | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Three stars, driver-side front impacts; five stars, passenger front impacts; five stars, side impactsNHTSAMarginal, side-impact protectionIIHSvisibility is only averageConsumerGuide The 2009 BMW 5-Series performed poorly in side-impact crash tests and in driver-side front impact tests—remarkably so for such an expensive vehicle, leading to its very low safety score. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the BMW 5-Series only three stars for driver front-impact protection—a result so surprising, it was widely reported in the non-automotive press. The bad news didn't end there; the insurance-industry-supported Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found the 5-Series sedan to be just "marginal" in side protection and "acceptable" for the sedan and wagon in the seat-based rear-impact test. However, the 2009 BMW 5-Series incorporates an enviable list of safety standards. Edmunds says the 5-Series’ standard safety equipment includes “stability control, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags and front-and-rear side-curtain airbags. Rear-seat side airbags are optional and, due to safety concerns, you must specifically request that your dealer activate the bags if you order this option.” According to Autoblog, there’s also some active and passive safety equipment worth noting: "Lane Departure Warning system provides an immediate but discreet notification when the car crosses into another lane without turn signals...[while the] body structure [is] engineered for excellent occupant protection in full and offset frontal impacts, side impacts and rear impacts," ConsumerGuide says "visibility is only average over the shoulder and to the rear." Edmunds also notes that the all-wheel-drive 5-Series comes with Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. ConclusionThe 2009 BMW 5-Series has plenty of safety features, but it's a severe underachiever in crash tests. 2009 BMW 5-SERIES STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: “wolf in a flamboyant sheep's clothing,” Cars and Driver: "somewhat unconventional" Kelley Blue Book: "the overall air of firm luxury remains" The 2009 BMW 5-Series features styling that may not appeal to everyone, but it’s still ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The chief competitor to the 2009 BMW 5-Series's sedan is the Mercedes E-Class, and the Audi A6 Avant is the Sports Wagon's closest rival. The E-Class has more of an emphasis on comfort than the 5, with a roomier-feeling interior and a softer ride. The Avant only comes with the 255-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 engine, not the larger, 350-horsepower V-8 available on the sedan. As with the Sports Wagon, all-wheel drive is standard, though the Avant has a slightly softer ride, and its handling isn't as sharp as that of the 5-Series, nor does it offer such advanced technology features. The Cadillac STS brings plenty of high-tech options and respectable performance, but it doesn't have the prestige of the 5-Series. The Saab 9-5 SportCombi is now a quite dated design. It comes with front-wheel drive and turbocharged four-cylinder power, and its powertrains aren't as refined as those of the other rivals, but it's packaged well, with excellent seats, plenty of headroom, and more useful cargo space. There's also the Infiniti M35 and M45, which bring brisk performance and some rival high-tech features such as a lane-departure system, but their cabins aren't as quiet and refined as those of the 5-Series models.

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See the BMW 5-Series in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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