The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC marked a significant step in the evolution of the luxury SUV, replacing the GLK with enhanced features and a focus on safety. For prospective buyers and current owners alike, understanding the safety performance of the Benz Glc 2017 is paramount. This detailed analysis delves into the crashworthiness and safety features of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC, drawing upon rigorous testing and data to provide a comprehensive overview.
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 an object. The driver-side small overlap test of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4-door 4wd provides crucial insights into occupant protection in such collisions.
Rating: Good
| 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 |
The structural performance of the benz glc 2017 in this demanding test was commendable, earning a “Good” rating for structure and safety cage integrity. This signifies that the vehicle’s fundamental structure effectively resisted intrusion, maintaining crucial survival space for the driver. Injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot also received “Good” ratings, indicating a low risk of significant injuries in these areas.
However, the driver restraints and dummy kinematics were rated “Acceptable”. The test data revealed that while the dummy’s head made contact with the frontal airbag, it subsequently rolled to the left. This movement was attributed to excessive forward excursion of the head and torso due to seat belt slack. Despite this, the side curtain airbag deployed appropriately, offering sufficient forward coverage to shield the head from contact with side structures and external objects.
Technical Measurements – Driver-Side Small Overlap Frontal Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 1 |
| Footrest | 10 |
| Left toepan | 7 |
| Brake pedal | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 1 |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 1 |
| Upper dash | 2 |
| Lower instrument panel | 2 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 224 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 10 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 23 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 1.1 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 1.0 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 2 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 3 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.64 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.41 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 3.0 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 1.8 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 86 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 61 |
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
Extending the safety assessment, the passenger-side small overlap frontal test evaluates protection for the front passenger in a similar collision scenario. Two tests were conducted on a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, one by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and another by Mercedes-Benz. The ratings are based on the results of both tests, providing a robust evaluation.
Rating: Good
| 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 2017 benz glc, as represented by the 2018 model tested, achieved a “Good” overall rating in the passenger-side small overlap test. Both structural integrity and all injury measures for both the passenger and driver dummies were rated “Good”. This indicates excellent protection for occupants on both sides of the vehicle in this type of frontal collision. Notably, the passenger restraints and dummy kinematics also earned a “Good” rating, highlighting effective airbag and seatbelt performance.
Technical Measurements – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Frontal Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side | Measurement (cm) – IIHS Test | Measurement (cm) – Mercedes-Benz Test |
|---|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 2 | 2 |
| Footrest | 16 | 8 |
| Right toepan | 8 | 3 |
| Center toepan | 4 | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 0 | 0 |
| Center dash | 1 | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 2 | 3 |
| Upper dash | 4 | 3 |
| Right lower dash | 4 | 4 |
| Passenger injury measures | Measurement – IIHS Test | Measurement – Mercedes-Benz Test |
|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 122 | 53 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 | 0.9 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 17 | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 18 | 19 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 1 | 1 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 0 | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 0 | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.21 | 0.17 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.81 | 0.15 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 1.1 | 0.2 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 4.7 | 0.5 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 68 | 41 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 109 | 60 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement – IIHS Test | Measurement – Mercedes-Benz Test |
|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 105 | 42 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 7 | 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.12 | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 21 | 18 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.9 | 1.1 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 2 | 1 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 3 | 3 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 0 | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.18 | 0.27 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.49 | 0.26 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 0.7 | 1.5 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 23 | 25 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 47 | 53 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Assessment
The moderate overlap front test represents a more traditional frontal collision scenario. Ratings for the 2017 benz glc are based on a test conducted by Mercedes-Benz and evaluated by the IIHS.
Rating: Good
| 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 |
In the moderate overlap front test, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC demonstrated “Good” performance across all evaluated metrics. The structural integrity was maintained, and injury measures for the driver’s head/neck, chest, and legs/feet were all rated “Good”. Driver restraints and dummy kinematics also performed well, earning a “Good” rating. This comprehensive “Good” performance in the moderate overlap test reinforces the robust frontal crash protection of the benz glc 2017.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Frontal Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest | 1 |
| Left footwell | 1 |
| Center footwell | 0 |
| Right footwell | 0 |
| Brake pedal | 1 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Left | 0 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Right | -1 |
| Steering column movement – Upward | -2 |
| Steering column movement – Rearward | -7 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 131 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 13 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.21 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 25 |
| Femur force – Left (kN) | 0.8 |
| Femur force – Right (kN) | 0.7 |
| Knee displacement – Left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement – Right (mm) | 2 |
| Maximum tibia index – Left | 0.17 |
| Maximum tibia index – Right | 0.27 |
| Tibia axial force – Left (kN) | 1.9 |
| Tibia axial force – Right (kN) | 2.8 |
| Foot acceleration – Left (g) | 45 |
| Foot acceleration – Right (g) | 68 |
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Evaluation
Side impacts are a significant concern in vehicle safety. The side impact test evaluates the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in a side collision. Similar to the moderate overlap test, side impact ratings for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC are based on a test performed by Mercedes-Benz and assessed by the IIHS.
Rating: Good
| 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 2017 benz glc achieved a “Good” rating in the side impact test, demonstrating strong side impact protection for both front and rear occupants. All injury measures for the driver and rear passenger, including head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg, were rated “Good”. Both driver and rear passenger head protection systems also received “Good” ratings, indicating effective mitigation of head injuries in side collisions.
Technical Measurements – Side Impact Crash Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -24.0 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 133 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 25 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.44 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.53 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.2 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 41 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 46 |
| Passenger injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 137 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 38 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 36 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 16 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.39 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.43 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 0.1 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.9 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 1.9 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 46 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 50 |
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is a critical factor in rollover accidents. The roof strength test evaluates the vehicle’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover scenario, protecting occupants from roof crush injuries.
Rating: Good
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,026 lbs |
| Peak force | 24,311 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 6.04 |
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC achieved a “Good” rating in roof strength, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 6.04. This signifies that the roof can withstand over six times the vehicle’s weight before significant crush, providing robust protection in rollover accidents.
Head Restraints and Seats
Head restraints and seats play a crucial role in preventing whiplash and other neck injuries in rear-end collisions. The IIHS evaluates both the dynamic performance and geometry of head restraints and seats.
Rating: Good
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good |
The 2017 benz glc received a “Good” overall rating for head restraints and seats. Both the dynamic performance and seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good”. This indicates effective design and performance in mitigating whiplash injuries in rear impacts.
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints and Seats
| Seat type | Power leather seat |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 38 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | -14 |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 16.1 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 57 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 21 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 464 |
Headlight Evaluations
Headlight performance is a crucial aspect of nighttime driving safety. The IIHS evaluates headlight effectiveness in providing illumination while minimizing glare. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC was evaluated with three different headlight variations.
1. Premium 3 Package (LED Projector Headlights)
Rating: Good
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Good |
The GLC 300 trim equipped with the Premium 3 package and LED projector headlights achieved a “Good” overall rating. Low beams provided good visibility on straightaways and curves, with some glare noted. High beams offered fair to good visibility, and high-beam assist compensated for low beam limitations on curves.
2. Premium 1 & 2 Packages with LED Headlamps and Taillamps (LED Projector/Reflector Headlights)
Rating: Acceptable
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Acceptable |
GLC 300 trims with Premium 1 and 2 packages, featuring LED projector low beams and LED reflector high beams, received an “Acceptable” overall rating. Low beams provided good to fair visibility, with some glare. High beams offered good to fair visibility.
3. Standard GLC 300 Trim (Halogen Reflector Headlights)
Rating: Marginal
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Marginal |
The standard GLC 300 trim with halogen reflector headlights received a “Marginal” overall rating. Low beams provided fair visibility on straightaways but inadequate visibility on left curves, with some glare. High beams offered good visibility on straightaways but inadequate visibility in curves.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are increasingly important in mitigating or preventing frontal collisions. The IIHS evaluates vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention systems. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC was assessed with two system variations.
1. Optional Pre-Safe Brake with Pedestrian Recognition (Premium 3 Package)
Rating: Superior
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Forward collision warning | Meets requirements |
| 12 mph test | Collision avoided |
| 25 mph test | Collision avoided |
With the optional Pre-Safe Brake system, the 2017 benz glc earned a “Superior” rating. The system met forward collision warning requirements and successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests.
2. Standard Collision Prevention Assist Plus
Rating: Superior
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Forward collision warning | Does not meet requirements |
| 12 mph test | Collision avoided |
| 25 mph test | Collision avoided |
The standard Collision Prevention Assist Plus system also achieved a “Superior” rating, although it did not meet the forward collision warning requirements. However, it successfully avoided collisions in both the 12 mph and 25 mph tests.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease the secure installation of child restraints. The IIHS evaluates the ease of use of LATCH systems.
Rating: Acceptable
| Overall evaluation | Acceptable |
|---|---|
| Vehicle trim | GLC 300 |
| Seat type | leatherette |
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC received an “Acceptable” rating for child seat anchors. It has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor. While functional, the system was noted as having lower anchors that were not too deep in the seat but difficult to maneuver around.
Technical Measurements – Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
| Seat Position | Rating Details |
|---|---|
| Position 1 | Tether anchor: easy-to-find, no confusing hardware. Lower anchors: not too deep, low force, difficult to maneuver around. |
| Position 2 | Tether anchor: easy-to-find, no confusing hardware. Lower anchors: none available. |
| Position 3 | Tether anchor: easy-to-find, no confusing hardware. Lower anchors: not too deep, low force, difficult to maneuver around. |
Conclusion: 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Safety Performance
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving predominantly “Good” ratings in IIHS crash tests. It offers robust protection in frontal, side, and rollover crashes. While the driver-side small overlap test revealed an “Acceptable” rating for restraints, the overall safety performance of the benz glc 2017 positions it as a safe choice in the luxury SUV segment. Prospective buyers can be assured of a high level of occupant protection across various collision scenarios, especially when equipped with the optional front crash prevention and premium headlight packages.
