The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class represents a significant model year in the vehicle’s lifecycle, carrying forward the redesign introduced in 2015 while incorporating key updates. For prospective buyers and safety-conscious drivers, understanding the safety performance of the 2019 C-Class is crucial. This article provides a detailed analysis of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class safety ratings, drawing from rigorous testing and technical data to offer a comprehensive overview of its safety capabilities.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test simulates a challenging real-world scenario where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts another vehicle or a narrow object. This test is particularly demanding as it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the car.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, in the driver-side small overlap test, demonstrated robust structural integrity and effective occupant protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Driver-Side Small Overlap Impact: Action from the driver-side small overlap front crash test of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, highlighting the vehicle’s response to this demanding scenario.
The C-Class earned a “Good” rating for the structure and safety cage, indicating that the structural elements effectively maintained their integrity during the crash. All driver injury measures for head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot also received “Good” ratings, signifying a low risk of significant injuries in these areas. 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 rolled to the left due to excessive forward movement allowed by the seat belt. The side curtain airbag deployed effectively, providing adequate forward coverage.
Post-Crash Dummy Position: The position of the crash test dummy inside the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class after the driver-side small overlap test, showing the maintained survival space.
Post-crash analysis showed that the driver’s survival space was maintained well, with minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment. Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver side are detailed below:
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 5 |
| Footrest | 10 |
| Left toepan | 5 |
| Brake pedal | 8 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 2 |
| Steering column | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 4 |
| Upper dash | 4 |
| Lower instrument panel | 4 |
Airbag Deployment Analysis: Close-up view of the airbag deployment in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class during the small overlap front crash test, indicating effective but not perfect head protection.
Technical measurements for driver injury metrics are as follows:
| Driver Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 161 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 5 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 21 |
| Femur – Left (kN) | 1.2 |
| Femur – Right (kN) | 1.3 |
| Left Maximum tibia index | 0.50 |
| Right Maximum tibia index | 0.43 |
Driver Space Integrity: The maintained driver’s side space within the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class after the small overlap front crash, demonstrating good structural performance.
Overall, the driver-side small overlap test of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class indicates a strong level of protection, with room for improvement in restraint systems to further enhance occupant safety.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
The passenger-side small overlap test assesses the protection offered to the front passenger in a similar crash scenario as the driver-side test. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class passenger-side evaluation was conducted by Mercedes-Benz and assigned by the Institute.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class achieved a “Good” rating across the board in the passenger-side small overlap test. This includes overall evaluation, structural performance, all passenger injury measures, passenger restraints, and even driver injury measures (although focused on the passenger side test). This consistent “Good” rating underscores the robust safety design of the C-Class for both front occupants.
Technical measurements for occupant compartment intrusion on the passenger side are as follows:
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 6 |
| Footrest | 12 |
| Right toepan | 8 |
| Center toepan | 5 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 3 |
| Center dash | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 5 |
| Upper dash | 4 |
| Right lower dash | 4 |
Passenger and driver injury measures recorded in this test are detailed below:
| Passenger Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 109 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 12 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 25 |
| Femur – Left (kN) | 0.2 |
| Femur – Right (kN) | 0.0 |
| Left Maximum tibia index | 0.37 |
| Right Maximum tibia index | 0.60 |
| Driver Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 68 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur – Left (kN) | 0.3 |
| Femur – Right (kN) | 0.7 |
| Left Maximum tibia index | 0.24 |
| Right Maximum tibia index | 0.26 |
The passenger-side small overlap performance of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is exemplary, indicating a high level of safety for front passengers in this type of severe frontal crash.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Evaluation
The moderate overlap front test is another critical assessment, representing a significant portion of real-world frontal collisions. In this test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a deformable barrier.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, consistent with its overall safety profile, achieved a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | 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 “Good” ratings across all categories – overall, structure, driver injury measures, and restraints – confirm the C-Class’s ability to protect occupants in a moderate frontal impact.
Technical measurements from the moderate overlap front test are:
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest | 1 |
| Left Footwell | 1 |
| Center Footwell | 1 |
| Right Footwell | 1 |
| Brake pedal | 2 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Left | 0 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Right | 0 |
| Steering column movement – Upward | 3 |
| Steering column movement – Rearward | -7 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 |
| Driver Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 148 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 16 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 22 |
| Femur force – Left (kN) | 1.6 |
| Femur force – Right (kN) | 1.3 |
| Left Maximum tibia index | 0.40 |
| Right Maximum tibia index | 0.31 |
The moderate overlap front test results for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reinforce its strong frontal impact protection.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Evaluation
Side impacts are another common and dangerous type of collision. The side crash test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in a side impact scenario.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class again earned the highest rating of “Good” in the side impact test, demonstrating excellent side-impact protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | 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 C-Class demonstrated “Good” protection for both driver and rear passenger across all injury measures and head protection, highlighting its comprehensive side-impact safety features, including standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
Key technical measurements from the side impact test include:
| Measurement | Driver | Passenger |
|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 228 | 225 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 | 0.7 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 40 | 34 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 | 1.1 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 35 | 22 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 32 | 18 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 2.4 | 2.4 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.2 | 2.0 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 3.6 | 4.2 |
The side impact test results confirm the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class as a vehicle providing robust protection in side collision scenarios for both front and rear occupants.
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is a crucial factor in rollover accidents. The roof strength test measures the vehicle’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover scenario, protecting occupants from roof crush injuries.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class achieved a “Good” rating in roof strength, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 7.00.
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,522 lbs |
| Peak force | 24,642 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 7.00 |
This “Good” rating signifies that the roof of the 2019 C-Class is structurally sound and provides substantial protection in the event of a rollover.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
Head restraints and seats play a vital role in preventing whiplash and other neck injuries in rear-end collisions. The evaluation includes both dynamic testing and geometric assessment.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class with power leather seats received a “Good” overall rating for head restraints & seats.
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good |
Technical measurements for head restraint and seat performance are:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 38 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | -14 |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 16.1 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 57 |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 21 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 464 |
The “Good” rating in this category indicates that the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class provides effective head and neck protection in rear impacts.
Headlight Performance Evaluation
Headlight performance is a critical safety feature, particularly for nighttime driving. The IIHS evaluates headlights based on visibility and glare. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class headlight ratings vary depending on the trim level and headlight package.
Headlight Rating: Adaptive High Beam Assist Package
For the C300 trim equipped with the Adaptive High Beam Assist package, the headlight system received a “Good” overall rating.
| 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 |
Low beams provided good visibility on straightaways and fair visibility on curves, with some glare noted. High beams offered good visibility on straightaways and most curves, with high-beam assist compensating for low beam limitations on curves.
Headlight Rating: Standard C300 Trim
The standard C300 trim headlights received an “Acceptable” overall rating.
| 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 |
Similar to the “Good” rated headlights, low beams provided good straightaway visibility but fair curve visibility with some glare. High beams were also good on straightaways and most curves.
Headlight Rating: Exterior Lighting Package
The C300 trim with the Exterior Lighting package also received an “Acceptable” overall rating.
| 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 |
Low beams offered good visibility on straightaways and most curves, with some glare. High beams were good on straightaways and all curves. High-beam assist helped compensate for low beam limitations on left curves.
While headlight ratings vary, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers at least “Acceptable” headlight performance across trims, with the Adaptive High Beam Assist package achieving a “Good” rating.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle Evaluation
Front crash prevention systems are increasingly important in mitigating or preventing frontal collisions. The IIHS tests vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention in two scenarios: 12 mph and 25 mph.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class achieved a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention with both its optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function (Driver Assistance Package) and standard Active Brake Assist systems.
| System | Overall Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function | Superior |
| Standard Active Brake Assist | Superior |
Both systems met forward collision warning requirements and avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, demonstrating “Superior” front crash prevention capabilities.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day) Evaluation
Pedestrian detection and prevention systems are vital for urban safety. The pedestrian front crash prevention test evaluates system performance in scenarios involving child crossing, adult crossing, and adult parallel walking.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class pedestrian front crash prevention ratings differ based on the system:
| System | Overall Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function (Driver Assistance Package) | Superior |
| Standard Active Brake Assist | Basic |
The optional system achieved a “Superior” rating, avoiding collisions with crossing child and adult scenarios at both 12 mph and 25 mph. It also significantly reduced speed in the parallel adult scenario. The standard system received a “Basic” rating, showing speed reduction in crossing scenarios but failing to slow in the parallel adult scenario.
For pedestrian safety, opting for the Driver Assistance Package with Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function provides significantly enhanced protection.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH) Evaluation
Child seat anchors (LATCH – Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) are evaluated for ease of use. The IIHS LATCH system ratings range from Good+ to Poor.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class received a “Good” rating for its LATCH system.
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good |
The C-Class has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and one additional position with a tether anchor. The LATCH system was found to be easy to use, contributing to the “Good” rating.
Conclusion: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Safety Performance
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class demonstrates robust safety performance across a wide range of crash tests and safety evaluations. It consistently achieves “Good” ratings in most crashworthiness categories, including small overlap front (passenger side), moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraints & seats. While the driver-side small overlap test revealed an “Acceptable” rating for driver restraints, the overall structural integrity and injury measures remained “Good.”
In terms of crash avoidance and mitigation, the 2019 C-Class excels with “Superior” ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention systems. Pedestrian front crash prevention is also strong, particularly with the optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function. Headlight performance is rated from “Acceptable” to “Good” depending on the trim and package, with the Adaptive High Beam Assist package providing the best visibility. The LATCH system is user-friendly, earning a “Good” rating for child seat installation.
Overall, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a safe vehicle choice, offering excellent occupant protection and advanced crash prevention technologies, making it a strong contender in its class for safety-conscious buyers.
