For those considering a used luxury sedan, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class often appears on the shortlist. Renowned for its blend of sophistication and performance, a crucial aspect to consider is safety. This detailed analysis delves into the safety ratings of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, drawing upon rigorous crash tests to provide a comprehensive overview for prospective buyers. Understanding these ratings is vital in making an informed decision, ensuring peace of mind on the road.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test represents a challenging scenario where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier. This test is particularly important as it simulates crashes with objects like trees or poles, impacting the vehicle outside the main structural support.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted small overlap front crash tests on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, focusing on both a 2012 model and a 2013 model manufactured after December 2012. A critical detail emerged: Mercedes-Benz reprogrammed the side curtain airbags for 2013 models built after December 2012 to deploy in small overlap frontal crashes.
Initial Test (Pre-December 2012 Models)
The initial test, conducted on a 2012 model, revealed a Marginal overall rating for the small overlap front test. The key issues were structural integrity and airbag deployment.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | M |
| Structure and safety cage | P |
| Driver injury measures: Head/neck | G |
| Driver injury measures: Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures: Hip/thigh | G |
| Driver injury measures: Lower leg/foot | P |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | M |
The structure and safety cage of the 2012 model received a Poor rating, indicating that the occupant survival space was compromised. While head, neck, chest, and hip/thigh injury measures were rated Good, the lower leg/foot protection was poor. Driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also deemed Marginal because the side curtain airbag did not deploy, and the dummy’s head moved excessively forward.
Technical measurements from this test (CEN1211) further illustrated the extent of intrusion into the driver’s side occupant compartment. For example, footrest intrusion measured 32 cm, and left toepan intrusion was 24 cm. Lower leg injury measures showed a Maximum Tibia Index of 2.01 for the left leg and 1.87 for the right leg, indicating a high risk of lower leg injuries.
Improved Test (Post-December 2012 Models)
A subsequent test was performed on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class built after December 2012, incorporating the airbag reprogramming. This test showed improvements, but the structural issues persisted. The overall rating remained Marginal.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | M |
| Structure and safety cage | P |
| Driver injury measures: Head/neck | G |
| Driver injury measures: Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures: Hip/thigh | G |
| Driver injury measures: Lower leg/foot | P |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
While the structure and safety cage still received a Poor rating, driver restraints and dummy kinematics improved to Good. This improvement is attributed to the reprogrammed side curtain airbags deploying as intended, offering better head protection. Injury measures for head/neck, chest, and hip/thigh remained Good, but lower leg/foot protection was still rated Poor.
Technical measurements (CEN1327) showed even greater intrusion in some areas compared to the 2012 model. Footrest intrusion increased to 50 cm, and left toepan intrusion reached 29 cm. Lower leg injury risks remained high, with a Maximum Tibia Index of 2.14 for the left leg and 1.13 for the right leg.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Assessment
In contrast to the small overlap test, the moderate overlap front crash test involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacting a deformable barrier. This test is more representative of common frontal collisions.
The 2010-2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class models achieved a Good rating in the moderate overlap front crash test. This rating applies to the original test conducted by Mercedes-Benz and assessed by the IIHS.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures: Head/neck | G |
| Driver injury measures: Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures: Leg/foot, left | G |
| Driver injury measures: Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Technical measurements (VTF0905) indicated minimal occupant compartment intrusion. Footrest intrusion was only 1 cm, and brake pedal intrusion was 3 cm. Driver injury measures were also low, with a Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) of 173 and Chest maximum compression of 32 mm, all within safe parameters.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Evaluation
The side impact test evaluates the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in side collisions. The 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class models with standard side and head curtain airbags earned a Good rating in the side impact test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures: Head/neck | G |
| Driver injury measures: Torso | G |
| Driver injury measures: Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures: Head/neck | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures: Torso | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures: Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Measurements (CES0842) showed minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment during the side impact. Driver and passenger injury measures were low across all categories, indicating effective protection from the side airbags.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test assesses the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. The 2008-2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class models received a Good rating for roof strength.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,510 lbs |
| Peak force | 18,826 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.36 |
The strength-to-weight ratio of 5.36 significantly exceeds the IIHS requirement, indicating a strong roof capable of providing good protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
Head restraints and seats are crucial in preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class with power leather seats and Active Head Restraints (AHR) earned a Good rating in this category.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Technical measurements confirmed effective head restraint geometry and dynamic performance, minimizing neck strain in rear impacts.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle System
For models equipped with the optional Driver Assistance Package and Pre-Safe Brake system (available on 2013-14 models), the Mercedes-Benz C-Class achieved a Superior rating for front crash prevention.
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Forward collision warning | Yes |
| 12 mph test impact speed reduction | 10 mph |
| 25 mph test impact speed reduction | 13 mph |
The system effectively reduced impact speeds in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and met the requirements for forward collision warning, showcasing advanced preventative safety features.
Conclusion: Balancing Safety Considerations for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class presents a mixed safety profile. While it excels in moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, achieving “Good” ratings, the small overlap front crash test reveals a significant weakness, resulting in a “Marginal” rating, primarily due to structural issues. Notably, models built after December 2012 show improvement in occupant kinematics due to reprogrammed airbags, but structural concerns persist.
For prospective buyers, especially those prioritizing small overlap crash protection, it is crucial to be aware of the production date. While the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers robust protection in many crash scenarios and features advanced preventative safety technologies when equipped, the marginal performance in the small overlap test should be carefully considered, particularly for driver-side safety. Always prioritize vehicles with strong structural integrity and comprehensive airbag systems to maximize safety on the road. Consulting the vehicle’s certification label can help determine the production date and understand the specific safety features of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class you are considering.
