The Mercedes-Benz M-Class, a pioneer in the luxury SUV market, made its debut in 1998. For those considering a 2000 Benz Suv, specifically the ML 320 model, understanding its safety features is crucial. It’s important to note that Mercedes-Benz implemented structural enhancements in all M-Class models manufactured after March 1999 to bolster occupant protection in frontal collisions. This review focuses on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML 320, tested after these crucial structural changes were introduced, which directly applies to the safety performance you can expect from a 2000 Benz SUV ML 320.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rigorously evaluated the crashworthiness of a 1999 ML 320, equipped with these structural improvements, through a 40 mph frontal offset crash test against a deformable barrier. This standardized test provides valuable insights into how well the vehicle protects its occupants in a common type of collision. The results are particularly relevant for anyone interested in a 2000 Benz SUV and its safety pedigree.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | A |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML 320, representative of the 2000 Benz SUV models produced after March 1999, achieved an Overall evaluation of Good (G) from IIHS. This top rating signifies a strong performance in protecting occupants during the frontal offset crash test. Crucially, the Structure and safety cage also received a Good (G) rating. This indicates that the structural modifications made to the vehicle were effective in maintaining the integrity of the occupant compartment during a significant frontal impact, a key factor for safety in a 2000 Benz SUV.
Further examination of the Driver injury measures reveals a detailed breakdown of protection levels for specific body regions. For Head/neck protection, the rating was Acceptable (A), while Chest, Leg/foot (left), and Leg/foot (right) all achieved Good (G) ratings. These results suggest a good level of protection against serious injuries in these critical areas for the driver in a frontal crash scenario within this 2000 Benz SUV model range. The Driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also rated Good (G), indicating that the seatbelts and airbags performed effectively in controlling the dummy’s movement and minimizing potential injuries.
The assessment of occupant space maintenance is further supported by observations of the dummy’s position relative to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash. The IIHS noted that the dummy’s position indicated the driver’s survival space was “maintained well.” This is a positive sign for potential real-world crash scenarios involving a 2000 Benz SUV, suggesting that the vehicle’s structure effectively resists intrusion into the driver’s area.
It’s also worth noting a specific detail regarding the airbags in this 2000 Benz SUV model. The passenger airbag in the tested vehicle did not deploy because the sensor detected that the right front seat was unoccupied. This feature is a standard safety measure, preventing unnecessary airbag deployment and potential risks in cases where the passenger seat is empty or occupied by a specially designed child seat.
Furthermore, the IIHS highlighted that intrusion into the driver footwell area was “minimal.” This observation is corroborated by the technical measurements taken during the test.
Technical measurements for this test
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CF99012 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 12 |
| Left (cm) | 11 |
| Center (cm) | 6 |
| Right (cm) | 6 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 8 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 2 |
| Right (cm) | 1 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 3 |
| Rearward (cm) | 1 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 2 |
The technical measurements confirm the visual assessment of minimal intrusion. Footwell intrusion measurements ranged from 6cm to 12cm at different points, while instrument panel and steering column rearward movement were minimal, at 2cm or less. A-pillar rearward movement was also limited to 2cm. These measurements provide objective data supporting the “Good” rating for structural integrity and occupant space maintenance in this 2000 Benz SUV.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CF99012 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 308 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 66 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 2.4 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 34 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.42 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 42 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 3.5 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.8 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 7 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 8 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.48 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.40 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.7 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 1.5 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 69 |
| Right | 62 |
Detailed driver injury measures further quantify the level of protection. Head injury criteria (HIC-15) was 308, well below the threshold for concern. Neck tension, bending moment, and Nij measurements were also within acceptable limits. Chest compression was 42mm. Leg injury measures, including femur force, knee displacement, tibia index and axial force, and foot acceleration, all indicated a low risk of significant injuries to the lower extremities. These detailed measurements reinforce the overall safety performance of the 2000 Benz SUV ML 320 in this frontal offset crash test.
In conclusion, the IIHS crash test results for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML 320, applicable to 2000 Benz SUV models built after March 1999, demonstrate a robust level of safety performance in a frontal offset crash. The “Good” overall rating, coupled with detailed assessments of structural integrity and driver injury measures, suggests that this 2000 Benz SUV offers sound occupant protection in this type of collision. For buyers considering a 2000 Benz SUV, these safety ratings provide valuable insights into the vehicle’s crashworthiness.
