The 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 SUV marked a significant entry into the luxury SUV market. For prospective owners and safety-conscious drivers, understanding the safety performance of this vehicle is crucial. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted rigorous crash tests on the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML 320, providing valuable insights into its safety capabilities, specifically for models manufactured after March 1999 which incorporated structural enhancements. This article delves into the findings of the IIHS crash test for the 1999 Mercedes Suv, highlighting key safety ratings and technical measurements.
1999 Mercedes ML 320 Safety Performance in IIHS Crash Test
The IIHS evaluated the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test. This test simulates a common type of real-world collision. The results for the 1999 Mercedes SUV were categorized based on various evaluation criteria, offering a comprehensive safety assessment.
Overall Good Rating for 1999 Mercedes SUV
The 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 achieved an overall evaluation of “Good”. This top rating from IIHS indicates a strong level of crashworthiness for this SUV. This rating is particularly relevant to models produced after March 1999, which included structural improvements specifically designed to enhance occupant protection in frontal crashes. It’s important to verify the manufacturing date, typically found on the certification label on or near the driver’s side door, to ensure the vehicle includes these safety upgrades.
Robust Structure and Safety Cage
A critical aspect of vehicle safety is the integrity of its structure. The IIHS evaluation of the 1999 Mercedes SUV awarded a “Good” rating for structure and safety cage. This “Good” rating signifies that the structural design of the Mercedes ML 320 effectively maintained its integrity during the frontal offset crash. A strong safety cage is vital in protecting occupants by preventing excessive deformation of the passenger compartment in a collision.
Driver Injury Measures: Head, Neck, Chest, and Legs
The crash test dummy, equipped with sensors, provided data on potential driver injuries. For head and neck protection, the 1999 Mercedes SUV received an “Acceptable” rating. While not the highest “Good” rating, “Acceptable” still indicates a reasonable level of protection for these critical areas.
In terms of chest protection, the 1999 Mercedes ML 320 earned a “Good” rating. This suggests that the restraint systems in the vehicle effectively minimized chest injury risk in a frontal crash scenario.
For leg and foot protection, both the left and right sides were rated “Good”. This indicates that the footwell area maintained its structural integrity well, minimizing the risk of lower extremity injuries to the driver.
Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
The effectiveness of the seatbelts and airbags in controlling the occupant’s movement during a crash is crucial for safety. The 1999 Mercedes SUV’s driver restraints and dummy kinematics were rated “Good”. This “Good” rating means the restraint systems performed effectively in managing the dummy’s motion during the crash, contributing to overall occupant protection.
Action shot illustrating the frontal offset crash test of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML 320, highlighting the impact dynamics.
Post-collision dummy positioning within the 1999 Mercedes ML 320, demonstrating maintained survival space and effective restraint system performance.
Image showing the passenger airbag of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 remaining undeployed due to sensor detection of an unoccupied front passenger seat.
Driver-side footwell of the 1999 Mercedes ML 320 after the crash test, exhibiting minimal intrusion and contributing to good leg/foot injury ratings.
Technical Measurements and Intrusion Details
Detailed technical measurements from the crash test provide further insight into the 1999 Mercedes SUV’s performance. Footwell intrusion measurements were minimal, with intrusions ranging from 6 to 12 cm at different points in the footwell. Instrument panel rearward movement was also limited to 1-2 cm, and steering column movement was 1 cm rearward and 3 cm upward. A-pillar rearward movement was measured at 2 cm. These minimal intrusion values corroborate the “Good” rating for structural integrity.
Driver injury measures, recorded by sensors on the crash test dummy, showed a Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) of 308 and peak G-force at hard head contact of 66g. Neck tension was 2.4 kN, and chest maximum compression was 42 mm. Femur forces and tibia indices for both legs were within acceptable limits, further supporting the “Good” leg/foot injury ratings.
Conclusion: 1999 Mercedes SUV Safety Rating
The IIHS crash test results for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 SUV (models built post-March 1999) indicate a solid safety performance for its time. Achieving an overall “Good” rating, with “Good” scores in key areas like structural integrity, chest and leg/foot protection, and restraint systems, positions this 1999 Mercedes SUV as a reasonably safe option, especially when considering vehicles of its era. While head and neck protection was rated “Acceptable,” the overall safety profile suggests that the 1999 Mercedes ML 320 incorporated effective safety design features for occupant protection in frontal crashes. For those considering a used 1999 Mercedes SUV, particularly the ML 320, these safety ratings provide valuable information for assessment.
