The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, specifically models from 2010 to 2016 built after April 2010, underwent rigorous side impact testing to evaluate its safety performance. This analysis delves into the results of these tests, providing a comprehensive overview of the 2016 Mercedes E-Class’s side impact safety.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted the side impact crash test on a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E 350 4-door, a representative model within the 2010-2016 range. This model was equipped with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags, safety features crucial for occupant protection in side collisions. The testing methodology and results are directly applicable to the 2016 Mercedes E-Class and other models within this generation manufactured after the design enhancements implemented in April 2010. These enhancements involved modifications to the front and rear door trim, specifically aimed at bolstering occupant safety during side impact crashes. To ascertain the manufacturing date of a specific 2016 Mercedes E-Class vehicle, one can refer to the certification label typically located on the driver’s side door or the adjacent B-pillar.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class achieved an overall evaluation of “Good” in the side impact test, the highest rating awarded by the IIHS. This “Good” rating signifies that the vehicle provides robust protection in side impact crashes. The evaluation encompasses several critical aspects of vehicle safety, each contributing to the overall score.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
The structural integrity of the 2016 Mercedes E-Class, denoted as “Structure and safety cage,” also received a “Good” rating. This indicates that the vehicle’s safety cage effectively maintained its integrity during the side impact, crucial for preventing occupant compartment intrusion and minimizing injury risk.
Further detailed assessments focused on potential driver and rear passenger injuries. For driver injury measures, evaluations were conducted for the head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg regions. In all these categories, the 2016 Mercedes E-Class received a “Good” rating. Similarly, rear passenger injury measures for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg also earned “Good” ratings. Critically, both driver and rear passenger head protection were rated as “Good,” highlighting the effectiveness of the side airbag system in safeguarding occupants’ heads.
To provide a more granular understanding of the crash test performance, technical measurements were recorded. Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver side indicated a B-pillar displacement of -24.0 cm relative to the driver’s seat centerline. The negative value signifies that the structural crush stopped short of the seat centerline, demonstrating effective resistance to intrusion.
Driver injury measures included Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) of 177, and neck tension and compression forces of 1.0 kN and 0.4 kN respectively. Torso deflection measurements showed a maximum deflection of 38 mm and an average deflection of 32 mm. Pelvis injury measures indicated an iliac force of 1.9 kN and an acetabulum force of 2.0 kN.
Passenger injury measures revealed a Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) of 82, lower than the driver’s, indicating good head protection for rear passengers. Neck tension and compression forces were 0.4 kN and 0.3 kN. Torso maximum deflection was 28 mm and average deflection was 20 mm. Pelvis injury measures showed an iliac force of 0.6 kN and an acetabulum force of 1.8 kN.
In conclusion, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, as represented by the tested 2010 model and applicable to models built after April 2010, demonstrates a “Good” overall rating in side impact crash testing. This robust performance across all evaluation criteria underscores the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety in side collision scenarios, making the 2016 Mercedes E-Class a safe choice for drivers and passengers alike.
