Safety
The X3 earned a 2009 Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the agency's highest award. That means it earned top scores in IIHS' frontal-offset, side-impact and rear crash tests. All X3s have standard electronic stability control and a full complement of airbags.
As of publication, the Q5, GLK350 and XC60 hadn't been tested by IIHS.
See also:
Driving pleasure
Driving the X6 M changed the way I looked at this vehicle.
Some of that gangly look disappeared as the vehicle's performance matured my
perception. It has a toughness, a meanness too that it didn' ...
Visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object can be
shown on the Control Display.
When the distance to an object is small, a red bar
is shown in front of the vehicle, as it is in the PDC
display.
...
Exterior
The exterior remains the same for 2009, and the X3 retains its awkward
angles, disjointed taillights and odd lower bodywork. It's not unattractive, but
it sure isn't as stylish as Mercedes' new GL ...