The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, a popular luxury compact car, underwent redesigns for the 2008 model year. Significant safety enhancements were introduced over the years, including a driver’s knee airbag in 2010 to bolster frontal crash protection. For the 2013 models onwards, specifically those manufactured after December 2012, Mercedes-Benz implemented a crucial update to the side curtain airbags. This reprogramming aimed to improve occupant safety in small overlap frontal crashes, a particularly challenging scenario. Identifying the manufacturing date of a specific vehicle can be done by checking the certification label, usually located on or near the driver’s side door.
To evaluate the effectiveness of these updates, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted two small overlap frontal crash tests on the C-Class. The first test involved a 2012 model, while the second utilized a 2013 model produced after the airbag reprogramming. Notably, in the initial test, the driver’s side curtain airbag did not deploy as expected. However, in the subsequent test with the updated model, the airbag deployed correctly. The safety ratings and vehicle specifications detailed below are based on the results of this second test. It’s important to note that while the airbag system was modified, the vehicle’s structural design remained consistent across both test models. Consequently, the structural rating considers data from both tests to provide a comprehensive assessment.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Small Overlap Frontal Test | Marginal |
| Structure and safety cage | Poor |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Poor |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
The IIHS small overlap frontal test is designed to simulate a collision where the front corner of the vehicle impacts an object like a tree or pole. This type of crash is particularly demanding on a vehicle’s structure and safety systems. The “Marginal” rating in the small overlap frontal test for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reflects areas where occupant protection could be improved. The “Poor” rating for the structure and safety cage indicates significant deformation in this critical area during the crash.
Analysis of the crash test dummy’s position after the impact reveals crucial insights into driver safety. The dummy’s position relative to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel, combined with the observed footwell intrusion, suggests that the driver’s survival space was compromised in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class during the small overlap test. This intrusion is a key factor in the lower leg/foot injury rating.
Despite the structural challenges, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class demonstrated effective performance in other aspects of occupant protection. In the second test, the coordinated action of the frontal and side curtain airbags played a vital role in safeguarding the driver’s head. These airbags effectively prevented the head from making dangerous contact with жесткие structures or external objects within the vehicle, contributing to the “Good” rating for head and neck injury measures.
However, a persistent issue identified in both crash tests was the extensive intrusion into the driver’s side footwell of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. This footwell intrusion significantly elevates the risk of injuries to the lower legs. The tests indicated a “high risk of injury to the left lower leg and at least a significant risk to the right lower leg.” Furthermore, in both tests, the dummy’s right foot became trapped by intruding structural elements and the brake pedal as the left front wheel was forced rearward and inward upon impact. This foot entrapment further underscores the footwell’s vulnerability in small overlap crashes for this model.
Technical measurements from the tests provide a more granular view of the crash dynamics.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1211 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 9 |
| Footrest (cm) | 32 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 24 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 21 |
| Parking brake (cm) | 14 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 0 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 4 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 9 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 11 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 11 |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1327 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 248 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 9 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.15 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 4.9 |
| Right | 3.2 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 3 |
| Right | 3 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 3 |
| Right | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 2.14 |
| Right | 1.13 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 10.6 |
| Right | 4.1 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 147 |
| Right | 98 |
These measurements quantify the extent of intrusion into the occupant compartment and the forces experienced by the crash test dummy. Higher intrusion measurements, particularly in the footwell area (footrest, toepan, brake pedal), correlate with the increased risk of lower leg injuries. Driver injury measures like the Tibia Index further substantiate the “Poor” lower leg/foot injury rating.
In conclusion, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class demonstrates a mixed performance in the IIHS small overlap frontal crash test. While the updated side curtain airbag system shows improvement in head protection, the structural performance and significant footwell intrusion remain areas of concern, leading to a “Marginal” overall rating for this specific test. Prospective buyers should consider these findings in their vehicle safety assessments.
