The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a symbol of luxury and performance, underwent a significant redesign for the 2003 model year. Specifically, models manufactured after December 2002 incorporated structural enhancements aimed at bolstering occupant protection in frontal offset collisions. This article delves into the safety performance of a 2004 Mercedes E-Class, drawing upon rigorous crash testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The IIHS subjected a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 500 4-door, representing the redesigned 2004 E-Class built post-December 2002, to a demanding 40 mph frontal offset crash test against a deformable barrier. This test rigorously evaluates a vehicle’s crashworthiness, and the E-Class demonstrated commendable results.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/Foot, Left | G |
| Leg/Foot, Right | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | A |
The E-Class achieved an overall “Good” rating, the highest possible, indicating robust crashworthiness. Critically, the structure and safety cage of the 2004 Mercedes E-Class also earned a “Good” rating, signifying that the vehicle effectively maintained its structural integrity during the impact. Analysis of driver injury measures further reinforced this positive assessment, with “Good” ratings across the board for head/neck, chest, and leg/foot protection.
Action shot from the frontal offset crash test demonstrating the structural integrity of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
In terms of driver restraints and dummy kinematics, the 2004 Mercedes E-Class received an “Acceptable” rating. While dummy movement was generally well-controlled, the test indicated that during rebound, the dummy’s head made contact with the B-pillar and window frame after moving partially out of the open window. Despite this contact, head acceleration remained low, mitigating potential injury risk.
Post-crash test dummy position in a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, illustrating excellent maintenance of driver survival space.
The post-crash dummy positioning confirmed that the driver’s survival space was exceptionally well-maintained. This is a crucial factor in occupant safety, as it indicates that the vehicle’s structure effectively protected the occupant compartment from collapse.
Greasepaint smear on the B-pillar and window frame of a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, showing minor head contact during rebound.
Leg and foot force indicators from a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class crash test, confirming low injury likelihood in these areas.
Detailed technical measurements from the crash test provide further insight. Intrusion into the driver side footwell was minimal, with maximum intrusion at the center footwell measuring 9 cm. Crucially, rearward movement of the instrument panel and steering column was negligible, further demonstrating the structural robustness of the 2004 Mercedes E-Class. Driver injury measures, such as Head Injury Criterion (HIC) and chest compression, were also low, reinforcing the “Good” ratings.
In conclusion, the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, specifically models built after December 2002, exhibits a high level of crashworthiness, as evidenced by its “Good” overall rating in the IIHS frontal offset crash test. While a minor head contact during rebound was observed, the vehicle demonstrated excellent structural integrity and occupant protection, making it a safe choice in its class. This detailed analysis underscores the safety engineering incorporated into the 2004 E-Class, providing valuable information for prospective owners and automotive enthusiasts alike.
