The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has long been synonymous with luxury and performance, but for discerning UK buyers, safety is paramount. This detailed analysis, based on rigorous testing, delves into the safety performance of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, providing a comprehensive overview of its crashworthiness and preventative safety features. Understanding these ratings is crucial for making an informed decision when considering a pre-owned Mercedes 2019 C-Class.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test is designed to simulate what happens when the corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or a fixed object like a tree or pole. This is a particularly challenging test for vehicle structures.
Driver-Side Impact Performance
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door model was evaluated in the driver-side small overlap front test. The results are highly informative for prospective owners of a Mercedes 2019 C-Class, as the rating applies to models from 2015-2021.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 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 |
Action shot during the Mercedes 2019 C-Class driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, highlighting vehicle deformation and safety systems deployment.
The C-Class demonstrated a “Good” rating in the critical areas of structure and safety cage integrity, as well as driver injury measures for the head, neck, chest, hip, and thigh. This indicates a robust design that effectively protects occupants in this type of severe frontal crash.
Post-crash position of the dummy in the Mercedes 2019 C-Class driver-side small overlap test, illustrating the effective maintenance of the driver’s survival space.
Analysis of the dummy’s position after the crash revealed that the driver’s survival space was well-maintained. This is a crucial factor in preventing serious injuries. However, the driver restraints and dummy kinematics received an “Acceptable” rating. This was due to the dummy’s head contacting the frontal airbag and then rolling to the left. This movement occurred because the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the head and torso. Despite this, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively, providing sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contacting side structures and external objects.
Close-up view of the dummy’s head interaction with airbags during the Mercedes 2019 C-Class driver-side small overlap crash, showing airbag deployment and head movement.
Footwell area of the Mercedes 2019 C-Class after the driver-side small overlap crash test, demonstrating minimal intrusion and low injury risk to lower extremities.
Technical measurements further support the “Good” ratings for occupant compartment intrusion and driver injury measures, as shown in the tables below.
Technical Measurements – Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max | 5 |
| Footrest | 10 |
| Left toepan | 5 |
| Brake pedal | 8 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 2 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment | |
| Steering column | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 4 |
| Upper dash | 4 |
| Lower instrument panel | 4 |
Technical Measurements – Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 161 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 5 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum compression (mm) | 21 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 1.2 |
| Right | 1.3 |
| Knee Displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 3 |
| Right | 5 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index | |
| Left | 0.50 |
| Right | 0.43 |
| Tibia Axial Force (kN) | |
| Left | 2.8 |
| Right | 2.4 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 80 |
| Right | 73 |
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
Recognizing that passenger safety is equally critical, the passenger-side small overlap test assesses protection for the front passenger in a similar collision scenario.
Passenger-Side Impact Performance
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door was tested for passenger-side small overlap performance, and the rating applies to 2019-2021 models, directly relevant to those considering a Mercedes 2019 C-Class.
| Evaluation Criteria | 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 |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good |
The Mercedes 2019 C-Class achieved a “Good” rating across all evaluation criteria in the passenger-side small overlap test. This encompasses overall evaluation, structural integrity, passenger injury measures, passenger restraints, and even driver injury measures (as the test assesses the impact on the driver’s side as well, albeit from the passenger side impact). This comprehensive “Good” rating underscores the vehicle’s commitment to protecting all front occupants.
Technical Measurements – Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max | 6 |
| Footrest | 12 |
| Right toepan | 8 |
| Center toepan | 5 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 3 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment | |
| Center dash | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 5 |
| Upper dash | 4 |
| Right lower dash | 4 |
Technical Measurements – Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 109 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 12 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum compression (mm) | 25 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.2 |
| Right | 0.0 |
| Knee Displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index | |
| Left | 0.37 |
| Right | 0.60 |
| Tibia Axial Force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.8 |
| Right | 1.7 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 51 |
| Right | 77 |
Technical Measurements – Driver Injury Measures (Passenger Side Test)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 68 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.3 |
| Right | 0.7 |
| Knee Displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index | |
| Left | 0.24 |
| Right | 0.26 |
| Tibia Axial Force (kN) | |
| Left | 0.6 |
| Right | 2.4 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 26 |
| Right | 62 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
The moderate overlap front test involves 40% of the vehicle’s front width impacting a deformable barrier at 40 mph. This test is representative of a significant portion of real-world frontal crashes.
Overall Frontal Crash Performance
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door 4wd was tested, and the “Good” rating applies to 2015-2021 models of the Mercedes 2019 C-Class.
| Evaluation Criteria | 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 Mercedes 2019 C-Class earned a “Good” rating in every category of the moderate overlap front test. This includes overall performance, structural integrity, all driver injury measures, and restraint system effectiveness. This further confirms the vehicle’s strong frontal crash protection.
Technical Measurements – Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footwell Intrusion | |
| Footrest | 1 |
| Left | 1 |
| Center | 1 |
| Right | 1 |
| Brake pedal | 2 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Steering Column Movement | |
| Upward | 3 |
| Rearward | -7 |
| A-pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
Technical Measurements – Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 148 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 16 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum compression (mm) | 22 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 1.6 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.3 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 2 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.40 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.31 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.3 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 2.5 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 36 |
| Right | 53 |
Side Impact Crash Test
Side impacts are another significant source of injury in accidents. This test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in a side collision.
Side Crashworthiness
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C 400 4-door 4wd, equipped with standard side and curtain airbags, was tested. The side impact rating applies to 2015-2021 Mercedes 2019 C-Class models.
| Evaluation Criteria | 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 Mercedes 2019 C-Class achieved a “Good” rating across the board in the side impact test, for both driver and rear passenger protection. This encompasses structural performance, injury measures for all body regions, and head protection. This demonstrates excellent side impact crashworthiness.
Technical Measurements – Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Test ID | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -20.5 |
Technical Measurements – Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 228 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 40 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 35 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.56 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.51 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 2.4 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Combined force (kN) | 3.6 |
| Left Femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 36 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 74 |
Technical Measurements – Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 225 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 34 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 18 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 1.94 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.19 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 2.4 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.0 |
| Combined force (kN) | 4.2 |
| Left Femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 33 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 51 |
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is vital in rollover accidents. A strong roof can prevent roof crush and reduce the risk of serious injury.
Rollover Protection
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door was evaluated for roof strength, and the rating applies to 2015-2021 models, including the Mercedes 2019 C-Class.
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Roof Strength | Good |
| Curb weight | 3,522 lbs |
| Peak force | 24,642 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 7.00 |
The Mercedes 2019 C-Class achieved a “Good” rating for roof strength. The strength-to-weight ratio of 7.00 significantly exceeds the minimum requirement, indicating excellent rollover protection.
Head Restraints & Seats
Effective head restraints and seat design are crucial for preventing whiplash and other neck injuries in rear-end collisions.
Rear Impact Protection
The Mercedes 2019 C-Class with power leather seats received a “Good” rating for head restraints and seats.
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Head Restraints & Seats | Good |
| Dynamic rating | Good |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good |
The C-Class demonstrated “Good” dynamic performance and seat/head restraint geometry, resulting in an overall “Good” rating. This signifies effective protection against neck injuries in rear impacts.
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats
| Seat Type | Power leather seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 38 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | -14 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 16.1 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 57 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 21 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 464 |
Headlights
Headlight performance is a critical aspect of nighttime driving safety. Ratings consider visibility and glare for oncoming drivers.
Headlight System Performance
The Mercedes 2019 C-Class headlight ratings vary depending on the trim level and headlight package. Three different headlight variations were tested.
1. C300 trim with Adaptive High Beam Assist package:
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Good |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
This headlight configuration achieved an overall “Good” rating. The high-beam assist feature compensates for some limitations of the low beams, particularly on curves.
2. C300 trim (Standard Headlights):
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Acceptable |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
The standard headlights on the C300 trim received an “Acceptable” rating. While visibility was generally good, there were some limitations, especially on curves.
3. C300 trim with Exterior Lighting package:
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Acceptable |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
The headlights with the Exterior Lighting package also received an “Acceptable” rating. While curve-adaptive and with high-beam assist, glare was a more significant issue with this configuration.
For UK buyers of a Mercedes 2019 C-Class, it is important to check which headlight system is equipped to understand the visibility performance. The Adaptive High Beam Assist package provides the best headlight performance with a “Good” rating.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Forward collision prevention systems are increasingly important in avoiding accidents. These systems use sensors to detect potential collisions and can warn the driver or automatically brake.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention
The Mercedes 2019 C-Class offers two front crash prevention systems.
1. Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function (Driver Assistance Package):
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Vehicle-to-Vehicle | Superior |
This optional system earns a “Superior” rating. It successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and meets forward collision warning requirements.
2. Standard Active Brake Assist:
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Vehicle-to-Vehicle | Superior |
The standard Active Brake Assist system also achieves a “Superior” rating. It too avoided collisions in both test scenarios and includes forward collision warning.
The Mercedes 2019 C-Class excels in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, with both standard and optional systems earning the highest “Superior” rating.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian detection systems are designed to mitigate or prevent collisions with pedestrians, further enhancing safety, especially in urban environments.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention
The Mercedes 2019 C-Class pedestrian front crash prevention system ratings differ based on the system equipped.
1. Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function (Driver Assistance Package):
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian (Day) | Superior |
The optional system again earns a “Superior” rating in pedestrian (day) front crash prevention. It avoided collisions with a crossing child and adult in 12 mph and 25 mph tests. It also significantly reduced speed in the parallel adult scenario.
2. Standard Active Brake Assist:
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian (Day) | Basic |
The standard Active Brake Assist system receives a “Basic” rating for pedestrian (day) front crash prevention. While it reduced speed in some pedestrian crossing scenarios, it did not avoid collisions in all tests and failed to slow in the parallel adult scenario.
For pedestrian safety, the optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function provides significantly better performance than the standard system.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Ease of use of child seat anchors (LATCH – Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) is an important factor for families.
LATCH System Ease of Use
The Mercedes 2019 C-Class LATCH system is rated “Good”.
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Child Seat Anchors | Good |
The C-Class has 2 rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor. The lower anchors are easy to locate and maneuver around, contributing to the “Good” rating.
Technical Measurements – Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Seat Position 21 (Outboard)
| Lower Anchor A | Details |
|---|---|
| Open access rated | Yes |
| Depth | Visible |
| Force (lbs) | 3 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 69 |
| Lower Anchor B | Details |
| Open access rated | Yes |
| Depth | Visible |
| Force (lbs) | 2 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 61 |
| Tether Anchor | Details |
| Location | Rear deck |
| Confusing hardware present | No |
Seat Position 22 (Center)
| Lower Anchor A | Details |
|---|---|
| Lower latch | No lower latch for this position |
| Lower Anchor B | Details |
| Lower latch | No lower latch for this position |
| Tether Anchor | Details |
| Location | Rear deck |
| Confusing hardware present | No |
Seat Position 23 (Outboard)
| Lower Anchor A | Details |
|---|---|
| Open access rated | Yes |
| Depth | Visible |
| Force (lbs) | 4 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 56 |
| Lower Anchor B | Details |
| Open access rated | Yes |
| Depth | Visible |
| Force (lbs) | 5 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 70 |
| Tether Anchor | Details |
| Location | Rear deck |
| Confusing hardware present | No |
Conclusion: The Mercedes 2019 C-Class – A Safe Choice for UK Drivers
The Mercedes 2019 C-Class demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving predominantly “Good” ratings in crash tests and offering advanced preventative safety technologies. While the driver-side small overlap test restraint system was rated “Acceptable” and headlight performance varies by trim, the overall safety profile is impressive.
For UK buyers prioritizing safety, the Mercedes 2019 C-Class is a compelling option, particularly models equipped with the optional Driver Assistance Package for enhanced front crash prevention and the Adaptive High Beam Assist package for optimal headlight performance. Thoroughly checking the specific equipment of any prospective purchase is recommended to ensure it meets your safety expectations.
