The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has long been synonymous with luxury and performance, but for discerning car owners, safety is just as paramount. If you’re considering a Benz E Class 2016, understanding its safety credentials is crucial. This article delves into the side impact crash test results for the 2010-2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models (specifically those built after April 2010), providing a comprehensive overview of its safety performance.
This evaluation is based on rigorous testing of a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E 350 4-door model, equipped with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags. It’s important to note that design enhancements were implemented in models built after April 2010 to the front and rear door trim, specifically to bolster occupant protection during side impact collisions. You can verify the manufacturing date of your vehicle on the certification label located on the driver’s side door or the adjacent B-pillar.
Exceptional Overall Safety Performance
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016 achieved the highest possible rating in the side impact crash test: Good (G). This overall evaluation speaks volumes about the vehicle’s ability to protect its occupants in a serious side collision. Let’s break down the key factors contributing to this impressive score.
Robust Structure and Safety Cage
A critical aspect of vehicle safety is the integrity of its structure. The Benz E Class 2016 demonstrated exceptional structural resilience, earning a Good rating for its “Structure and safety cage”. This means the fundamental framework of the vehicle effectively maintained its integrity during the side impact, providing a solid protective shell for the occupants.
Comprehensive Driver and Rear Passenger Protection
The crash test meticulously assesses injury measures for both the driver and the rear passenger. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016 excelled across all injury metrics, securing Good ratings in every category for both front and rear occupants:
- Head/Neck: Excellent protection for both driver and rear passenger’s head and neck regions.
- Torso: Robust safeguarding of the torso for both occupants.
- Pelvis/Leg: Effective measures to minimize injury to the pelvis and leg areas for both driver and rear passenger.
These consistent “Good” ratings across all body regions underscore the comprehensive safety design of the Benz E Class 2016, ensuring a high level of protection for all passengers in a side impact scenario.
Advanced Head Protection System
Beyond structural integrity and injury measures, head protection is paramount in side collisions. The Benz E Class 2016 is equipped with side airbags that play a crucial role in preventing head injuries. The evaluation specifically highlighted “Driver head protection” and “Rear passenger head protection,” both receiving a Good rating.
Side view of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016 and barrier just after the side impact crash test, demonstrating the moment of impact and initial deformation.
This “Good” rating is further substantiated by visual evidence from the crash test. Greasepaint applied to the dummy’s head clearly shows how the side airbags effectively cushioned the head, preventing contact with hard structures within the vehicle.
Post-crash view of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016 with doors removed, revealing deployed side airbags and the extent of occupant compartment damage after the side impact collision.
Close-up view using smeared greasepaint to illustrate how the side airbag protected the driver dummy’s head from impacting hard structures during the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016 side impact test.
Greasepaint markings on the rear passenger dummy’s head, indicating the effectiveness of the side airbag in preventing head injury during the side impact test of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016.
Technical Insights: Occupant Compartment Intrusion and Injury Measures
For a more technical perspective, the crash test provides precise measurements. In terms of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side, the B-pillar was pushed inward by -24.0 cm relative to the longitudinal centerline of the driver’s seat. The negative value indicates that the intrusion stopped short of reaching the seat centerline, demonstrating good resistance to cabin deformation.
Detailed injury measures for both driver and passenger dummies are also recorded, including Head Injury Criterion (HIC), neck tension and compression, shoulder deflection and force, torso deflection and viscous criterion, pelvis forces, and femur measurements. These detailed measurements, while technical, all fall within acceptable limits indicative of a “Good” safety rating, reinforcing the vehicle’s strong performance in protecting occupants from a range of potential injuries in a side impact.
Conclusion: A Safe Choice in the Luxury Segment
The side impact crash test results for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016 (2010-2016 models built after April 2010) unequivocally demonstrate its commitment to safety. Achieving a “Good” overall rating, with “Good” scores across all structural and injury measures for both driver and rear passenger, positions the Benz E Class 2016 as a safe and reliable choice within the luxury vehicle market. For those prioritizing safety alongside luxury and performance, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016 stands out as an excellent option, offering peace of mind for you and your passengers.
