The 2018 Mercedes-benz Gle is a luxury SUV that offers a blend of performance, comfort, and advanced safety features. For potential buyers and current owners, understanding the safety ratings of the GLE is crucial. This article delves into the side impact safety of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE, providing an analysis based on established safety testing standards.
It’s important to note that while the 2018 GLE model was released as part of the GLE-Class generation starting in 2016, the safety ratings are based on tests conducted on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the GLE’s predecessor. Specifically, the ratings apply to Mercedes-Benz models from 2016 to 2019, which fall under the GLE-Class designation, and are informed by tests performed on 2012 and 2014 M-Class vehicles.
Side Impact Crashworthiness: A “Good” Rating
The Mercedes-Benz GLE, under the safety testing parameters applicable to 2016-19 models, achieved a “Good” rating in side impact crashworthiness. This is the highest rating possible and indicates a strong level of protection for occupants in the event of a side collision.
This overall “Good” rating is derived from assessments across several key areas, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of vehicle safety performance. These evaluation criteria include:
- Overall Evaluation: The combined assessment of all factors, resulting in the “Good” rating.
- Structure and Safety Cage: This assesses the integrity of the vehicle’s structural components in maintaining occupant space during a side impact. The GLE also achieved a “Good” rating in this critical area, signifying a robust safety cage design.
- Driver Injury Measures: Evaluates potential injuries to the driver, focusing on:
- Head/Neck: Rated “Good”, indicating a low risk of injury to these critical areas.
- Torso: Rated “Good”, showing effective protection for the driver’s chest and abdomen.
- Pelvis/Leg: Rated “Good”, demonstrating good protection for the lower body.
- Driver Head Protection: Also rated “Good”, highlighting the effectiveness of safety features in preventing head injuries.
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures: Mirrors the driver assessment for the rear passenger, evaluating:
- Head/Neck: Rated “Good”.
- Torso: Rated “Good”.
- Pelvis/Leg: Rated “Good”.
- Rear Passenger Head Protection: Rated “Good”, ensuring safety for all occupants.
These “Good” ratings across all categories for both driver and rear passenger demonstrate the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE’s commitment to providing a high level of side impact protection.
Technical Insights from Crash Testing
To further understand the “Good” rating, it’s helpful to consider some of the technical measurements from the crash tests. These measurements provide objective data points that underpin the safety evaluations.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion:
Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side reveal how well the vehicle structure resists deformation during a side impact. The B-pillar displacement relative to the driver’s seat centerline was measured in two tests (VTS1115 and VTS1313). Negative values indicate the extent to which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline, meaning less intrusion into the occupant space is better.
| Measurement | Test ID VTS1115 | Test ID VTS1313 |
|---|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -20.0 | -19.0 |
These measurements indicate minimal intrusion into the driver’s side occupant space during the side impact tests, contributing to the “Good” rating for structural integrity and safety cage.
Driver and Passenger Injury Measures (Examples):
Detailed measurements are taken to assess potential injury levels. For example, Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) is a measure of head injury risk. Lower HIC values are better, indicating less risk of head injury.
| Injury Measure | Test ID VTS1115 | Test ID VTS1313 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Head HIC-15 | 64 | 52 |
| Passenger Head HIC-15 | 81 | 104 |
| Driver Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 31 | 27 |
| Passenger Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 28 | 29 |
These are just a few examples from a comprehensive set of measurements. All measurements for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE (based on M-Class testing) were within acceptable limits, supporting the overall “Good” side impact rating.
Conclusion: Solid Side Impact Safety for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE
The “Good” side impact safety rating for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE provides assurance to drivers and passengers. Based on rigorous testing and evaluation, the GLE demonstrates robust structural design and effective safety systems to mitigate injuries in side impact collisions. This rating, derived from testing on predecessor models but applicable to the 2016-2019 GLE-Class, underscores Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to safety in its luxury SUV lineup. For those prioritizing safety in their vehicle choice, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE stands out as a strong contender.
