The 2020 Mercedes Glc has become a popular choice in the compact luxury SUV market, blending performance with sophisticated design. For prospective buyers and current owners alike, understanding the safety ratings of the 2020 Mercedes GLC is crucial. This article delves into a comprehensive breakdown of the safety evaluations conducted on the Mercedes-Benz GLC, providing detailed insights into its crashworthiness and preventative safety features.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test Analysis
The small overlap front crash test represents a particularly challenging scenario, simulating a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts another vehicle or a rigid object. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts these tests to assess vehicle performance in such demanding conditions.
Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
The Mercedes-Benz GLC, from model years 2016-2022, underwent a driver-side small overlap front test. The results offer a detailed view of how the vehicle protects the driver in this type of accident.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Acceptable |
The structural integrity of the 2020 Mercedes GLC held up well in the driver-side small overlap test, earning a “Good” rating for structure and safety cage. Measures taken on the dummy indicated a low risk of injury to the head, neck, chest, hip, thigh, and lower leg/foot areas, all receiving “Good” ratings.
Action shot during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, demonstrating the impact on a 2020 Mercedes GLC.
However, the driver restraints and dummy kinematics were rated as “Acceptable.” The test revealed that while the dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag, it subsequently rolled to the left due to excessive forward movement allowed by the seat belt. This movement caused the head to move towards the gap between the frontal and side curtain airbags, a point of potential vulnerability. Despite this, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively, providing sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from side structure and external objects.
Dummy position after the driver-side small overlap crash, indicating the well-maintained survival space within the 2020 Mercedes GLC.
Detailed view of the dummy’s head interaction with airbags during the driver-side small overlap test of a 2020 Mercedes GLC, highlighting head roll.
Assessment of leg and foot injury risk for the driver in a 2020 Mercedes GLC driver-side small overlap crash, showing low injury probability.
Technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test provide further detail:
Technical Measurements – Driver-Side Small Overlap
| Measurement Category | Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | Lower hinge pillar max | 1 cm |
| Footrest | 10 cm | |
| Left toepan | 7 cm | |
| Brake pedal | 3 cm | |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 1 cm | |
| Steering column | 0 cm | |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 1 cm | |
| Upper dash | 2 cm | |
| Lower instrument panel | 2 cm | |
| Driver Injury Measures | Head HIC-15 | 224 |
| Neck Tension | 1.2 kN | |
| Neck Extension bending moment | 10 Nm | |
| Chest maximum compression | 23 mm | |
| Femur (Left) | 1.1 kN | |
| Femur (Right) | 1.0 kN | |
| Tibia axial force (Left) | 3.0 kN | |
| Tibia axial force (Right) | 1.8 kN |
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
Recognizing the importance of passenger safety, the IIHS also conducted passenger-side small overlap front tests on the 2020 Mercedes GLC. Two tests were performed on a 2018 model, one by the IIHS and another by Mercedes-Benz, with ratings based on both.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Passenger injury measures – Chest | Good |
| Passenger injury measures – Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Passenger injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
The 2020 Mercedes GLC achieved a “Good” overall rating in the passenger-side small overlap test, mirroring the driver-side performance in structural integrity. All passenger and driver injury measures, as well as passenger and driver restraints and kinematics, were rated “Good.” This indicates robust protection for both front occupants in this challenging crash scenario.
Action from the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test of a 2020 Mercedes GLC, illustrating the impact dynamics.
Post-crash dummy positioning in the passenger-side small overlap test, confirming the survival space for passengers in the 2020 Mercedes GLC.
Effectiveness of frontal and side curtain airbags in preventing head injury during the passenger-side small overlap test of the 2020 Mercedes GLC.
Assessment of leg and foot injury risks for the passenger in the 2020 Mercedes GLC passenger-side small overlap crash, generally indicating low risk.
Technical measurements from the passenger-side small overlap test are detailed below, combining results from both the IIHS and Mercedes-Benz tests:
Technical Measurements – Passenger-Side Small Overlap
| Measurement Category | Criteria | IIHS Test (CEP1712) | Mercedes-Benz Test (VTP1702) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side) | Lower hinge pillar max | 2 cm | 2 cm |
| Footrest | 16 cm | 8 cm | |
| Right toepan | 8 cm | 3 cm | |
| Center toepan | 4 cm | 3 cm | |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 0 cm | 0 cm | |
| Center dash | 1 cm | 1 cm | |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 2 cm | 3 cm | |
| Upper dash | 4 cm | 3 cm | |
| Right lower dash | 4 cm | 4 cm | |
| Passenger Injury Measures | Head HIC-15 | 122 | 53 |
| Neck Tension | 0.7 kN | 0.9 kN | |
| Neck Extension bending moment | 17 Nm | 11 Nm | |
| Chest maximum compression | 18 mm | 19 mm | |
| Femur (Right) | 1.2 kN | 0.0 kN | |
| Tibia axial force (Right) | 4.7 kN | 0.5 kN | |
| Driver Injury Measures | Head HIC-15 | 105 | 42 |
| Neck Tension | 0.7 kN | 0.8 kN | |
| Chest maximum compression | 21 mm | 18 mm | |
| Femur (Right) | 0.9 kN | 1.1 kN | |
| Tibia axial force (Right) | 0.7 kN | 1.5 kN |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
In the moderate overlap front crash test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier. This test is a more traditional frontal crash assessment. The 2020 Mercedes GLC’s performance in this test is also rated as “Good.”
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Left | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Right | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
The 2020 Mercedes GLC demonstrated “Good” performance across all categories in the moderate overlap front test, indicating a high level of protection for the driver in a more common frontal collision.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front
| Measurement Category | Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | Footrest | 1 cm |
| Left Footwell | 1 cm | |
| Center Footwell | 0 cm | |
| Right Footwell | 0 cm | |
| Brake pedal | 1 cm | |
| Instrument panel rearward movement (Left) | 0 cm | |
| Instrument panel rearward movement (Right) | -1 cm | |
| Steering column movement (Upward) | -2 cm | |
| Steering column movement (Rearward) | -7 cm | |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 cm | |
| Driver Injury Measures | Head HIC-15 | 131 |
| Neck Tension | 1.1 kN | |
| Neck Extension bending moment | 13 Nm | |
| Chest maximum compression | 25 mm | |
| Femur force – Left | 0.8 kN | |
| Femur force – Right | 0.7 kN | |
| Tibia axial force – Left | 1.9 kN | |
| Tibia axial force – Right | 2.8 kN |
Side Crash Test
Side impacts are another significant real-world collision type. The Mercedes-Benz GLC was subjected to the IIHS side crash test to evaluate occupant protection in such events.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Torso | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | Good |
| Driver head protection | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Torso | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | Good |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good |
The 2020 Mercedes GLC earned a “Good” rating in every category of the side crash test, for both driver and rear passenger protection. This demonstrates excellent engineering for side-impact scenarios.
Technical Measurements – Side Crash
| Measurement Category | Criteria | Measurement (VTS1625) |
|---|---|---|
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -24.0 cm |
| Driver Injury Measures | Head HIC-15 | 133 |
| Neck Tension | 1.0 kN | |
| Neck Compression | 0.3 kN | |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection | 25 mm | |
| Shoulder Lateral force | 1.0 kN | |
| Torso Maximum deflection | 32 mm | |
| Torso Average deflection | 29 mm | |
| Pelvis Combined force | 2.2 kN | |
| Left femur L-M force | 0.6 kN | |
| Passenger Injury Measures | Head HIC-15 | 137 |
| Neck Tension | 0.4 kN | |
| Neck Compression | 0.6 kN | |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection | 38 mm | |
| Shoulder Lateral force | 1.1 kN | |
| Torso Maximum deflection | 36 mm | |
| Torso Average deflection | 16 mm | |
| Pelvis Combined force | 1.9 kN | |
| Left femur L-M force | 0.4 kN |
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is a critical factor in rollover accidents. The 2020 Mercedes GLC again achieved a “Good” rating in this evaluation.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Curb weight | 4,026 lbs |
| Peak force | 24,311 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 6.04 |
The strength-to-weight ratio of 6.04 significantly exceeds the IIHS requirement, indicating a robust roof structure capable of withstanding forces in a rollover.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection is assessed through head restraint and seat evaluations. The 2020 Mercedes GLC’s seat design also received a “Good” rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Dynamic rating | Good |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good |
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats
| Measurement Category | Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Geometry | Backset | 38 mm |
| Distance below top of head | -14 mm | |
| Seat design parameters | Max T1 acceleration | 16.1 g |
| Head contact time | 57 ms | |
| Neck forces | Max neck shear force | 21 N |
| Max neck tension | 464 N |
Headlights Evaluation
Headlight performance is vital for accident prevention, particularly at night. The 2020 Mercedes GLC offers different headlight options, with varying ratings.
LED Projector Headlights (with Exterior Lighting package)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
The LED projector headlights available with the Exterior Lighting package on the 2020 Mercedes GLC earned a “Good” overall rating. Both low and high beams provided good visibility on straightaways and curves, with high-beam assist compensating for any low-beam limitations. Glare was never exceeded.
LED Reflector Headlights (All trims)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Poor |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
The standard LED reflector headlights on the 2020 Mercedes GLC, available on all trims, received a “Poor” overall rating. Low beam visibility was inadequate on the right side of the road and on curves. High beam performance was also limited, especially on left curves.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle & Pedestrian
The 2020 Mercedes GLC offers optional front crash prevention systems that are highly effective in mitigating or avoiding collisions.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Superior |
| System Details | Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function |
| Package Name | Optional Driver Assistance Package |
With the optional Active Brake Assist, the 2020 Mercedes GLC achieved a “Superior” rating in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. The system successfully avoided a collision in a 12 mph test and significantly reduced impact speed in a 25 mph test.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Day)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Superior |
| System Details | Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function |
| Package Name | Optional Driver Assistance 2 Package |
Similarly, with the optional Active Brake Assist, the 2020 Mercedes GLC earned a “Superior” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention (daytime). The system avoided collisions in lower speed tests and significantly reduced impact speed in higher speed scenarios, demonstrating robust pedestrian detection and braking capabilities.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
For families, child seat anchor ease of use is important. The 2020 Mercedes GLC received an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH system usability.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Acceptable |
| Vehicle trim | GLC 300 |
| Seat type | leatherette |
The GLC has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor. While generally acceptable, the lower anchors were noted as being not too deep but difficult to maneuver around.
Child Seat Anchor Details by Seating Position
| Position | Tether Anchor Rating | Lower Anchors Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Good (easy-to-find location) | Acceptable (not too deep, difficult to maneuver) |
| 2 | Good (easy-to-find location) | Not Available |
| 3 | Good (easy-to-find location) | Acceptable (not too deep, difficult to maneuver) |
Conclusion
Overall, the 2020 Mercedes GLC demonstrates strong safety performance in crash tests, achieving “Good” ratings in most categories, including the challenging small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength tests. While the driver-side small overlap test revealed an “Acceptable” rating for restraints due to dummy head movement, injury measures remained “Good.” The optional front crash prevention systems are “Superior,” and headlight ratings vary, with the optional LED projectors achieving a “Good” rating, while standard LED reflectors are rated “Poor.” The 2020 Mercedes GLC stands as a safe and well-protected vehicle in the luxury SUV segment, particularly when equipped with optional safety packages and upgraded headlights.
