The 2017 Mercedes-benz Glc marked its second year in production, replacing the GLK model and bringing Mercedes-Benz’s luxury and safety standards to the compact SUV market. For those prioritizing safety, understanding vehicle crash test performance is crucial. This article delves into the safety ratings of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC, providing a detailed analysis based on evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test is designed to simulate what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or a narrow object like a tree or pole. The driver-side small overlap test for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC yields insightful results.
Rating:
- Overall Evaluation: Good
- Structure and Safety Cage: Good
- Driver Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good
- Chest: Good
- Hip/Thigh: Good
- Lower Leg/Foot: Good
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Acceptable
While the structural performance and injury measures for the driver were rated “Good,” the “Acceptable” rating for driver restraints and dummy kinematics indicates an area for slight concern. Specifically, during the test, the dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but then rolled to the left. This movement occurred because the seat belt allowed excessive forward motion of the head and torso, causing the head to move towards the gap between the frontal and side curtain airbags. Despite this, the side curtain airbag did deploy effectively, offering sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from side structure and external objects.
Technical Measurements – Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Crash Test
| Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max Intrusion (cm) | 1 |
| Footrest Intrusion (cm) | 10 |
| Left Toepan Intrusion (cm) | 7 |
| Brake Pedal Intrusion (cm) | 3 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average Intrusion (cm) | 1 |
| Steering Column Intrusion (cm) | 0 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max Intrusion (cm) | 1 |
| Upper Dash Intrusion (cm) | 2 |
| Lower Instrument Panel Intrusion (cm) | 2 |
These measurements show minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment, reinforcing the “Good” rating for structure and safety cage.
Driver Injury Measures – Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Crash Test
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) | 224 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 10 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 23 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.64 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.41 |
These injury measures are all within acceptable limits, contributing to the “Good” ratings for driver injury measures.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
The passenger-side small overlap test is equally important for overall vehicle safety assessment. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC also underwent this test, with the results reflecting robust passenger protection.
Rating:
- Overall Evaluation: Good
- Structure and Safety Cage: Good
- Passenger Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good
- Chest: Good
- Hip/Thigh: Good
- Lower Leg/Foot: Good
- Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Good
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC achieved a “Good” rating across all categories in the passenger-side small overlap test, indicating excellent protection for front-seat passengers in this type of collision. The airbags and safety systems performed as intended, maintaining the passenger’s survival space effectively.
Technical Measurements – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Crash Test
| Measure | Institute Test Measurement | Mercedes-Benz Test Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max Intrusion (cm) | 2 | 2 |
| Footrest Intrusion (cm) | 16 | 8 |
| Right Toepan Intrusion (cm) | 8 | 3 |
| Center Toepan Intrusion (cm) | 4 | 3 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average Intrusion (cm) | 0 | 0 |
| Center Dash Intrusion (cm) | 1 | 1 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max Intrusion (cm) | 2 | 3 |
| Upper Dash Intrusion (cm) | 4 | 3 |
| Right Lower Dash Intrusion (cm) | 4 | 4 |
These measurements from both the IIHS and Mercedes-Benz tests show consistent and low levels of intrusion into the passenger compartment.
Passenger Injury Measures – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Crash Test
| Injury Measure | Institute Test Measurement | Mercedes-Benz Test Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) | 122 | 53 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 | 0.9 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 17 | 11 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 18 | 19 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.81 | 0.15 |
While there are some variations between the Institute and Mercedes-Benz tests, the injury measures generally indicate a low risk of significant injuries for the passenger.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
In the moderate overlap front test, a significant portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a deformable barrier. This test is a common scenario in real-world frontal collisions.
Rating:
- Overall Evaluation: Good
- Structure and Safety Cage: Good
- Driver Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good
- Chest: Good
- Leg/Foot, Left: Good
- Leg/Foot, Right: Good
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Good
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC achieved the highest rating of “Good” in all aspects of the moderate overlap front test. This result demonstrates excellent frontal crash protection for the driver.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
| Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Footrest Intrusion (cm) | 1 |
| Left Footwell Intrusion (cm) | 1 |
| Center Footwell Intrusion (cm) | 0 |
| Right Footwell Intrusion (cm) | 0 |
| Brake Pedal Intrusion (cm) | 1 |
| Left Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (cm) | 0 |
| Right Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (cm) | -1 |
| Steering Column Upward Movement (cm) | -2 |
| Steering Column Rearward Movement (cm) | -7 |
| A-Pillar Rearward Movement (cm) | 0 |
The minimal intrusion measurements further support the “Good” rating for structural integrity.
Driver Injury Measures – Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) | 131 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 13 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 25 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 0.7 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.17 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.27 |
All injury measures are low, indicating a minimal risk of significant injuries in a moderate overlap frontal crash.
Side Impact Crash Test
Side impacts are a significant concern in vehicle safety. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC was evaluated in the original side impact test.
Rating:
- Overall Evaluation: Good
- Structure and Safety Cage: Good
- Driver Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good
- Torso: Good
- Pelvis/Leg: Good
- Driver Head Protection: Good
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures:
- Head/Neck: Good
- Torso: Good
- Pelvis/Leg: Good
- Rear Passenger Head Protection: Good
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC earned “Good” ratings across the board in the side impact test, for both driver and rear passenger protection. This signifies robust side impact safety performance.
Technical Measurements – Side Impact Crash Test
| Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| B-Pillar to Longitudinal Centerline of Driver’s Seat (cm) | -24.0 |
This measurement indicates the amount of crush stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, demonstrating effective structural resistance in a side impact.
Driver Injury Measures – Side Impact Crash Test
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) | 133 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 2.2 |
| Left Femur L-M Force (kN) | 0.6 |
Passenger Injury Measures – Side Impact Crash Test
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) | 137 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 36 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 1.9 |
| Left Femur L-M Force (kN) | 0.4 |
The injury measurements for both driver and passenger are low, indicating a low risk of significant injuries in a side impact collision.
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is crucial for rollover protection. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC’s roof strength was also evaluated.
Rating:
- Overall Evaluation: Good
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: 6.04
With a “Good” rating and a strength-to-weight ratio of 6.04, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC demonstrates strong roof integrity, offering good protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection is a key aspect of rear-end collision safety, and head restraints play a vital role.
Rating:
- Overall Evaluation: Good
- Dynamic Rating: Good
- Seat/Head Restraint Geometry: Good
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC’s power leather seats and head restraints received “Good” ratings for dynamic performance and geometry, indicating effective whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats
| Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 38 |
| Distance Below Top of Head (mm) | -14 |
| Max T1 Acceleration (g) | 16.1 |
| Max Neck Shear Force (N) | 21 |
| Max Neck Tension (N) | 464 |
Headlights
Headlight performance is a critical factor in preventing nighttime accidents. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC headlight ratings vary depending on the trim level and headlight type.
Trim Level: GLC 300 with Premium 3 Package (LED Projector Headlights)
- Overall Rating: Good
Trim Level: GLC 300 with Premium 1 & 2 and LED Headlamps and Taillamps Packages (LED Projector/Reflector Headlights)
- Overall Rating: Acceptable
Trim Level: GLC 300 (Halogen Reflector Headlights)
- Overall Rating: Marginal
The headlight ratings range from “Good” for the Premium 3 package with LED projectors to “Marginal” for the base GLC 300 with halogen reflectors. The LED projector headlights in the Premium 3 package offer the best visibility, while the halogen headlights provide less effective illumination, especially on curves. Buyers should consider the headlight options when prioritizing safety.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems can significantly reduce or prevent frontal collisions. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC offers two front crash prevention system variations.
System: Optional Pre-Safe Brake with Pedestrian Recognition (Premium 3 Package)
- Overall Evaluation: Superior
System: Standard Collision Prevention Assist Plus
- Overall Evaluation: Superior
Both the standard and optional systems earned “Superior” ratings, demonstrating effective automatic emergency braking capabilities. Both systems successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests. However, the optional Pre-Safe Brake system meets forward collision warning requirements, while the standard system does not.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchor ease of use is important for proper child restraint installation.
Rating: Acceptable
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC received an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH ease of use. While it has LATCH hardware in multiple rear seating positions, some anchors may be difficult to maneuver around.
Conclusion
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC demonstrates strong overall safety performance, achieving primarily “Good” ratings in IIHS crash tests. It excels in moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength tests. The driver-side small overlap test was rated “Acceptable” in terms of restraints, and headlight performance varies by trim level, with LED projector options being superior to halogen reflectors. The front crash prevention systems are rated “Superior.” For families, the child seat anchors are rated “Acceptable.”
Overall, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC is a safe vehicle choice in the compact SUV segment, offering robust crash protection and advanced safety features. Potential buyers should consider the headlight options and be aware of the driver-side small overlap restraint performance when making their purchase decision.
