For drivers prioritizing safety, understanding vehicle crash test ratings is crucial. If you’re considering a Mercedes 2019 Gle, it’s important to know how this luxury SUV performs in safety evaluations, particularly in side impact scenarios. This article delves into the side impact safety ratings applicable to the Mercedes 2019 GLE models, providing you with a clear picture of its safety performance.
Understanding the Ratings: Mercedes-Benz GLE Side Impact Evaluation
The safety rating discussed here applies to the Mercedes 2019 GLE, as well as models from 2016 to 2019. It’s based on tests conducted on the earlier Mercedes-Benz M-Class, specifically a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 Bluetec 4-door 4wd. While the GLE-Class was introduced as a renaming of the M-Class starting in 2016, the structural and safety characteristics relevant to these side impact tests remained consistent for these model years.
The evaluation focuses on side impact crashes, a critical aspect of vehicle safety. These ratings are derived from tests performed by Mercedes-Benz, overseen and assigned by a reputable safety institute. Interestingly, the side ratings are a combination of two tests. The first test involved a 2012 model ML 550 V8, which included standard rear side torso airbags. The second test used a 2014 model ML 350 Bluetec diesel V6 without the optional rear side torso airbags.
Why Combine Results? Consistent Rear Passenger Protection
You might wonder why the results from these two different tests are combined. The key reason is that the presence or absence of rear side torso airbags showed minimal difference in rear occupant protection during the tests. This is attributed to the design of larger vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz GLE, which has a long wheelbase (115 inches). In side impact scenarios, the intruding barrier’s impact point is relatively far from the rear seating area. Crucially, all occupants, including those in the rear, benefit from standard side curtain airbags, which offer significant protection in side crashes.
Excellent “Good” Rating for Side Impact Safety
The combined assessment resulted in an overall “Good” rating for side impact protection for the Mercedes 2019 GLE and similar models (2016-19). This “Good” rating extends across all key evaluation criteria, indicating robust safety performance. Here’s a breakdown of the ratings:
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Driver Head Protection | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | G |
Key Takeaways from the Rating Table:
- “G” stands for “Good”: This is the highest possible rating, indicating excellent performance in the side impact test.
- Comprehensive “Good” Ratings: The Mercedes 2019 GLE achieved “Good” in every single category evaluated, from the structural integrity of the vehicle to specific injury measures for both the driver and rear passengers.
- Robust Structure: The “Good” rating for “Structure and Safety Cage” is fundamental, showing that the GLE’s structure effectively withstands side impacts, maintaining the occupant space.
- All-Around Protection: The “Good” ratings for driver and rear passenger injury measures (Head/Neck, Torso, Pelvis/Leg) demonstrate that the Mercedes 2019 GLE is designed to minimize injury risk to occupants in a side collision.
- Head Protection: “Good” ratings for both driver and rear passenger head protection are critical for preventing serious head injuries in side impacts.
Technical Data: Understanding the Measurements (Simplified)
While the detailed technical measurements might be more relevant for engineers, understanding the gist can be helpful. The tests involve measuring occupant compartment intrusion and injury measures on crash test dummies representing drivers and rear passengers.
For instance, “B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm)” measures how much the B-pillar (the pillar behind the driver’s door) intrudes into the occupant space. Negative numbers indicate the crush stopped short of the seat centerline, which is desirable. Lower numbers generally indicate better structural performance in preventing intrusion.
Similarly, injury measures like “Head HIC-15” (Head Injury Criterion) and forces on the neck, shoulder, torso, pelvis, and femur are measured on the dummies. Lower values in these measurements generally indicate lower risk of injury. The “Good” ratings are based on these measurements falling within acceptable safety thresholds.
Conclusion: Mercedes 2019 GLE – A Safe Choice for Side Impacts
The Mercedes 2019 GLE earns a strong recommendation for safety-conscious buyers, particularly concerning side impact protection. The “Good” rating across all evaluation metrics provides assurance that this SUV is engineered to protect occupants effectively in side collision scenarios. When considering a Mercedes 2019 GLE, you can be confident in its robust side impact safety performance, making it a reliable choice for you and your family.
