BMW X2's Head Restraint System Keeps it From IIHS Award

While BMW's 2018 X2 compact luxury crossover scored top ratings in five of six rigorous crashworthiness tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway (IIHS) safety, it failed to capture an IIHS award due to earning only an acceptable rating in the head-restraint test.

The lack of a good head restraint rating isn't typical, and the X2 is one of only four 2018 vehicles with an acceptable rating, according to the institute. An additional 181 models earned a good rating.

BMW has notified IIHS of planned improvements, and a new test will be conducted in September.

The X2 performed well in the driver- and passenger-side small overlap front test, moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength tests — earning a good rating in all five trials. In addition, the X2 includes available front crash prevention systems that earn it an advanced rating. Both of its available headlight systems earn an acceptable rating.

However, the lack of a good rating in the head restraint test, which evaluates how well the seat and head restraint protect against whiplash in a rear crash, means the model missed the mark for capturing the IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award.

To earn the Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must get good ratings in five of the six IIHS crashworthiness tests, including the head restraint test, with the exception of the passenger-side test. It must also offer available front crash prevention that has an advanced or superior rating. Finally, the vehicle needs to have acceptable- or good-rated headlights.

For Top Safety Pick +, vehicles also need an acceptable or good rating in the passenger-side small overlap test and must have good-rated headlights.

Related Photos: BMW's 2018 X2 xDrive28i