The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has long been synonymous with luxury and performance, but for discerning buyers, safety is paramount. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a model in the redesigned series from 2017-2023, stands out not just for its opulent features but also for its commitment to safety. This article delves into the comprehensive safety ratings of the E Class 2018 Mercedes, providing an in-depth look at how this vehicle performs in critical crash tests and safety evaluations. We’ll explore data-driven insights from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to give you a clear picture of the 2018 E-Class safety performance.
Decoding the Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
The small overlap front 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. For the e class 2018 mercedes, the driver-side small overlap frontal test, conducted by Mercedes-Benz and assessed by the IIHS, yielded impressive results.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The table above clearly indicates a “Good” rating across all evaluation criteria. This means the structure of the e class 2018 mercedes effectively maintained its integrity during the test, providing robust protection for the driver. Specifically, measurements of occupant compartment intrusion were minimal, with maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar at just 2cm and footrest intrusion at 6cm. Crucially, the steering column showed no intrusion.
Driver injury measures were also reassuringly low. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) was measured at 173, and there was no head contact with hard surfaces. Neck tension was minimal at 0.7 kN, and chest compression was 28mm. Femur and tibia forces were also low, demonstrating a minimal risk of lower leg injuries. These metrics confirm that the e class 2018 mercedes is engineered to protect drivers exceptionally well in challenging frontal offset collisions.
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Performance
Safety isn’t just for the driver; it extends to all occupants. The passenger-side small overlap front test evaluates how well the vehicle protects the front passenger in a similar collision scenario. The e class 2018 mercedes again achieved a “Good” overall rating in this demanding test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures – Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures – Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures – Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Acceptable (A) |
| Driver injury measures – Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
While the structure and injury measures remained “Good,” the passenger restraints and dummy kinematics received an “Acceptable” rating. The IIHS noted that while the dummy’s face largely remained in contact with the frontal airbag, the head moved too far to the right, towards the gap between the frontal and side curtain airbags. However, the side curtain airbag did deploy effectively, providing sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from side structure contact. This “Acceptable” rating in restraints is a minor point in an otherwise stellar safety performance for the e class 2018 mercedes in passenger-side small overlap crashes.
Intrusion measurements on the passenger side were slightly higher than the driver’s side, with lower hinge pillar intrusion at 5cm and footrest intrusion at 14cm. Despite these slightly higher intrusion figures, passenger injury measures remained within the “Good” range, demonstrating effective occupant protection.
Moderate Overlap Front: Robust Frontal Impact Safety
The moderate overlap front test simulates a head-on collision between two vehicles of similar weight. This is a common type of accident, and the e class 2018 mercedes once again demonstrated its safety prowess.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/foot, left | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/foot, right | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The e class 2018 mercedes earned a “Good” rating in every category of the moderate overlap front test. Minimal footwell intrusion was recorded, with a maximum of 1cm. Instrument panel and steering column movement were also negligible. Driver injury measures were low, with a HIC-15 of 180 and chest compression at 34mm. Leg and foot injury risks were also minimal. These results reinforce the strong frontal crashworthiness of the e class 2018 mercedes.
Side Impact: Comprehensive Side Collision Protection
Side impacts are particularly dangerous because they involve direct force to the occupant compartment. The side impact test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in such collisions. The e class 2018 mercedes excelled in the side: original test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Torso | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Driver head protection | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Torso | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good (G) |
The e class 2018 mercedes achieved a “Good” rating in all categories for both driver and rear passenger protection in the side impact test. Intrusion into the occupant compartment was minimal, measured at -23.0 cm for the B-pillar to the driver’s seat centerline, indicating the crush stopped well short of the occupant space. Driver and passenger injury measures were consistently low, underscoring the effectiveness of the side-impact protection systems in the e class 2018 mercedes.
Roof Strength: Rollover Protection
Roof strength is a critical factor in rollover accidents. A strong roof can prevent collapse and protect occupants during such events. The e class 2018 mercedes demonstrates excellent roof strength.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Curb weight | 3,803 lbs |
| Peak force | 23,517 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 6.18 |
The e class 2018 mercedes achieved a “Good” rating for roof strength, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 6.18. This means the roof can withstand over six times the vehicle’s weight, providing significant protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints and Seats: Whiplash Protection
Good head restraints and seats are crucial for preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The e class 2018 mercedes with power leather seats, the tested configuration, earned top marks in this evaluation.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Dynamic rating | Good (G) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good (G) |
The e class 2018 mercedes received a “Good” overall rating for head restraints and seats, encompassing both dynamic performance and seat geometry. This indicates that the seats and head restraints are well-designed to minimize the risk of whiplash injuries in rear impacts.
Headlights: Visibility and Safety
Effective headlights are essential for safe driving, especially at night. The IIHS evaluates headlight performance based on visibility and glare. The e class 2018 mercedes comes with different headlight options, and their ratings vary.
Premium Headlights (Premium II & III Packages)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | Good (G) |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
The e class 2018 mercedes equipped with the Premium II or Premium III package and LED projector headlights earned a “Good” overall rating. These headlights provide good visibility on straightaways and curves, with high-beam assist further enhancing performance on curves. Glare from low beams was noted to be minimal.
Standard Headlights (E 300 Trim)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | Acceptable (A) |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
The standard LED projector low beams and LED reflector high beams on the e class 2018 mercedes (E 300 trim) received an “Acceptable” rating. While low beams provided good visibility on the left side of the straightaway, visibility on curves and the right side of the straightaway was fair to inadequate. Glare was also noted. Upgrading to the Premium packages enhances headlight performance significantly.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle Safety Systems
Advanced front crash prevention systems can significantly reduce the risk of collisions. The e class 2018 mercedes offers both standard and optional systems.
Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function (Premium 3 Package)
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Superior |
With the optional Active Brake Assist and Premium 3 Package, the e class 2018 mercedes achieves a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention. This system avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and meets forward collision warning requirements.
Standard Active Brake Assist
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Superior |
The standard Active Brake Assist system in the e class 2018 mercedes also earns a “Superior” rating. Like the optional system, it avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and includes forward collision warning. This standard feature underscores Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to preventative safety.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH): Family-Friendly Safety
For families, child seat anchor accessibility and ease of use are crucial. The e class 2018 mercedes earns a “Good” rating for its LATCH system.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
The e class 2018 mercedes provides two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor. The LATCH system is rated “Good” for ease of use, with anchors that are easy to find and maneuver around, contributing to safer and more convenient child seat installation.
Conclusion: The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class – A Safety Leader
The e class 2018 mercedes stands as a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to safety. Consistently achieving “Good” ratings across the board in IIHS crash tests, with “Superior” ratings for front crash prevention systems, and a “Good” rating for LATCH, the 2018 E-Class provides exceptional occupant protection. While the passenger-side small overlap test and standard headlights received slightly lower ratings (“Acceptable”), the overall safety performance of the e class 2018 mercedes remains outstanding. For those prioritizing safety alongside luxury and performance, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a compelling choice, offering peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.
