The BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle far outperformed a number of SUVs in a recent 5 MPH bumpter test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The X5 received a rating of "acceptable" by the institute; it is the only utility vehicle ever tested to achieve a rating that high. "It is the only SUV in this group with halfway decent bumpers," said Brian O'Neill, president of the IIHS. "The rear bumper is good. It allowed only $200 in the pole impact, which usually is the toughest of our four bumper tests."

Although it is a light truck, the X5 uses the same bumper technology as BMW passenger cars, including collapsible tubes, front and rear, which are designed to limit body damage up to 9 MPH.