The 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a hallmark of luxury and engineering, is often scrutinized for its safety performance in addition to its comfort and style. For prospective owners and automotive enthusiasts alike, understanding the safety ratings of this vehicle is crucial. This article delves into the crash test results for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, providing a detailed analysis based on evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It’s important to note that these ratings specifically apply to models manufactured after December 2002, which incorporated structural enhancements to improve occupant protection in frontal offset crashes.
The IIHS, a reputable organization for vehicle safety testing, subjected the Mercedes-Benz E-Class to a 40 mph frontal offset crash test. This rigorous assessment evaluates how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a common type of serious collision. Let’s break down the findings for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled. During rebound, the dummy’s head moved partway out the open window and hit the B-pillar and window frame. | A |
The table above summarizes the crashworthiness evaluations. The 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class achieved an overall evaluation of “Good” (G), the highest rating possible. This speaks volumes about the vehicle’s ability to protect its occupants in a frontal offset crash.
Action shot from the IIHS frontal offset crash test demonstrating the structural integrity of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
A critical aspect of crash safety is the structure and safety cage of the vehicle. The 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class earned a “Good” rating in this category. This indicates that the structural design effectively maintained its integrity during the impact, providing a protective shell for the occupants. A robust safety cage is fundamental in preventing serious injuries by minimizing intrusion into the passenger compartment.
Post-crash dummy position in the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class showing well-maintained survival space for the driver.
Driver injury measures are meticulously assessed to understand the potential for harm to specific body regions. The 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class received “Good” ratings across all categories for driver injury measures, including Head/Neck, Chest, and Leg/Foot (both left and right). These “Good” ratings suggest a low risk of significant injuries to these critical areas in a similar real-world frontal offset crash.
Greasepaint on the B-pillar and window frame of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class indicating head contact but low head acceleration.
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics evaluate how well the seatbelts and airbags control the occupant’s movement during a crash. For the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, this aspect was rated as “Acceptable” (A). The evaluation noted that “Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled,” but also pointed out that “During rebound, the dummy’s head moved partway out the open window and hit the B-pillar and window frame.” Despite this head contact, the IIHS reported that “Head acceleration from this hit was low,” minimizing the potential for serious head injury.
Indicators showing low forces on the legs and feet of the crash test dummy in the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, suggesting low injury risk.
To provide a more technical perspective, let’s examine the technical measurements recorded during the crash test.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEF0308 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 3 |
| Left (cm) | 7 |
| Center (cm) | 9 |
| Right (cm) | 4 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 5 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 1 |
| Rearward (cm) | -2 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 1 |
Occupant compartment intrusion measurements quantify the extent to which the structural components of the vehicle intruded into the driver’s space. Lower numbers generally indicate better structural performance. The measurements for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class demonstrate relatively low intrusion levels, suggesting good maintenance of the driver’s survival space. For example, the maximum footwell intrusion was 9 cm at the center, and the instrument panel showed no rearward movement.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEF0308 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 230 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 40 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.4 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 24 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.30 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 35 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 2.8 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 2.4 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.45 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.71 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 1.7 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 3.8 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 48 |
| Right | 60 |
The driver injury measures provide specific numerical data related to potential injury risks. For head injury, the HIC-15 (Head Injury Criterion) score was 230, well below the threshold indicating a higher risk of serious head injury. Similarly, neck forces and chest compression were within acceptable limits. Leg and foot measurements, such as Femur force and Tibia index, were also low, further supporting the “Good” ratings for leg and foot injury measures.
In conclusion, the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, specifically models built after December 2002, demonstrates robust crashworthiness in frontal offset collisions, as evidenced by the IIHS evaluations. Its “Good” overall rating, strong structural performance, and low driver injury measures highlight its commitment to occupant safety. While the “Acceptable” rating for driver restraints indicates a minor area for potential improvement, the overall safety performance of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class positions it as a safe choice in its vehicle class, especially considering the safety standards at the time of its production. This detailed analysis provides valuable insights for anyone considering a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and prioritizing vehicle safety.
