• BMW X3 has a five star Euro NCAP rating
• Lots of safety kit including airbags and active headrests

The BMW X3 was given a five-star rating by Euro NCAP when tested in 2011. It scored 88 percent for adult occupant protection, 83 percent for child occupant protection and 53 percent for pedestrian saftey.

There is plenty of kit on the X3 to protect you in the event of an accident. Front, side and curtain airbags have been fitted for the front seat occupants and head airbags for the second row.

BMW X3 safety is boosted by crash-active headrests at the front, crash sensors that prime the safety systems if it thinks an accident is imminent, a tyre defect indicator, anti-lock brakes, traction control, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control, hill-start assistant, hill descent control as standard.

Larger, wider and taller, the X3 is now more practical. Load space has been improved by 70 litres taking the maximum figure with seats in place to 550 litres. Fold the back row of seats and the luggage space expands to 1,600 litres. The X3 has got one over on its rivals with its flexibility. The seats have a 60/40 split as standard but there is a 40/20/40 seating arrangement available as an option.

This allows you (for example) to carry driver plus two passengers and three mountain bikes – that’s quite something. Roof rails now come standard and if you regularly tow the X3 will be a decent choice with a towing weight of between 2,000kg and 2,400kg.