Adult occupant
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact, the windscreen pillar moving rearwards less than 5mm. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both driver and passenger. BMW were able to demonstrate that occupants of different sizes, and those sat in different positions, would be similarly well protected. In the side barrier impact, the car scored maximum points, with good protection of all body regions. In the more severe side pole test, dummy readings indicated marginal chest protection. Protection against whiplash injuries in rear impacts was also rated as marginal.

Child occupant
Based on dummy readings, the X1 scored maximum points for its protection of the 1½ year old in the frontal and side barrier impacts. Forward movement of the head of the 3 year old, sat in a forward facing restraint, was well controlled in the frontal impact and, in the side impact, both dummies were properly contained by the restraints. The front passenger airbag can be disabled by BMW dealers to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. A label clearly warns of the dangers of using a rearward facing child seat in that seat without first disabling the airbag.

Pedestrian
The bumper scored maximum points for protection of pedestrians' legs. However, the front edge of the bonnet provided poor protection and scored no points in Euro NCAP's tests. In almost all areas where a child's head might strike, the bonnet offered good protection, even at the outer edges. The protection offered to the head of a struck adult was also good in some areas but was poor around the base of the windscreen.

Safety assist
The X1 is fitted with electronic stability control (ESC) as standard equipment on all variants. Likewise, a seatbelt reminder is standard for the driver and front passenger seats.