The Mercedes-Benz GLC, introduced in 2016 as the successor to the GLK, has consistently set benchmarks in the luxury compact SUV segment. For prospective owners and safety-conscious drivers, understanding its safety performance is paramount. This detailed analysis focuses on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC model, evaluating its crashworthiness and safety features based on rigorous testing standards.
In-Depth Look at Small Overlap Frontal Crash Tests
The small overlap frontal test is particularly challenging, as it assesses vehicle performance when only a small portion of the front end, 25 percent, on either the driver or passenger side, strikes a rigid barrier at 40 mph. This type of crash bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the vehicle, concentrating crash forces on the outer edges of the car’s front structure.
Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4-door 4wd model underwent the driver-side small overlap frontal test. The results provide critical insights into how well the vehicle protects the driver in a severe frontal collision.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Acceptable (A) |
The structural performance of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 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 maintained its integrity, crucial for occupant survival space. Injury measures for the driver were also rated “Good” across all body regions assessed (head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot).
However, the “Acceptable” rating for driver restraints and dummy kinematics indicates an area for slight concern. While the dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag, it subsequently rolled to the left. This movement was attributed to the seat belt allowing excessive forward excursion of the head and torso, leading to the head moving towards the gap between the frontal and side curtain airbags. Despite this, the side curtain airbag deployed correctly and offered sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from impacts with side structures and external objects.
Technical measurements from the driver-side test provide further details:
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Location | 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 |
These measurements show minimal intrusion into the driver’s survival space, reinforcing the “Good” structural rating.
Driver Injury Measures
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 224 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 10 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 23 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.64 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.41 |
These injury measures are well within acceptable limits, indicating a low risk of significant injuries in a real-world crash scenario of similar severity.
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
The passenger-side small overlap test is equally critical for assessing occupant protection across the vehicle. Two tests were conducted on a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4-door 4wd, one by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and another by Mercedes-Benz. Ratings are based on the results of both tests to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures – Hip/Thigh | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good (G) |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The Mercedes-Benz GLC achieved a “Good” overall rating in the passenger-side small overlap test, mirroring its driver-side performance. Both structural integrity and occupant injury measures for both the passenger and driver (in the passenger-side test scenario, representing a potential secondary driver impact) were rated “Good”.
Technical measurements from both IIHS and Mercedes-Benz passenger-side tests provide a detailed view:
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side)
| Location | IIHS Test (cm) | Mercedes-Benz Test (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
While there are some variations in intrusion measurements between the two tests, particularly in the footrest area, the overall intrusion remains minimal, supporting the “Good” structural rating.
Passenger Injury Measures
| Measurement | IIHS Test | Mercedes-Benz Test |
|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 122 | 53 |
| 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 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.81 | 0.15 |
| Right Tibia Axial Force (kN) | 4.7 | 0.5 |
Driver Injury Measures (Passenger Side Test)
| Measurement | IIHS Test | Mercedes-Benz Test |
|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 105 | 42 |
| 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 |
| Right Tibia Axial Force (kN) | 0.7 | 1.5 |
Injury measures for both passenger and driver dummies are consistently low across both tests, further validating the “Good” rating for occupant protection. Notably, in the IIHS test, forces on the passenger’s right lower leg were marginally higher, indicating a potential, albeit minor, risk of injury, which was not observed in the Mercedes-Benz test.
Moderate Overlap Front Test: Original Assessment
In the moderate overlap front test, 40 percent of the vehicle’s front width impacts a deformable barrier at 40 mph. This test is representative of a common type of frontal collision. The Mercedes-Benz GLC’s rating for this test is based on a test conducted by Mercedes-Benz and evaluated by IIHS.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Left | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Right | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4-door 4wd achieved a “Good” rating across all categories in the moderate overlap front test. This signifies excellent protection for the driver in this common crash scenario.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Location | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest Intrusion | 1 |
| Left Footwell Intrusion | 1 |
| Center Footwell Intrusion | 0 |
| Right Footwell Intrusion | 0 |
| Brake Pedal Intrusion | 1 |
| Left Instrument Panel Rearward Movement | 0 |
| Right Instrument Panel Rearward Movement | -1 |
| Steering Column Upward Movement | -2 |
| Steering Column Rearward Movement | -7 |
| A-pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
Minimal intrusion measurements again confirm the structural integrity of the GLC.
Driver Injury Measures
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 131 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 13 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.21 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 25 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 0.7 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.17 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.27 |
All injury measures are low, indicating a very low risk of significant injuries in a moderate overlap frontal crash.
Side Impact Test: Original Assessment
The side impact test evaluates vehicle safety in a T-bone style collision. Ratings for the Mercedes-Benz GLC are based on a test conducted by Mercedes-Benz and evaluated by IIHS.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Torso | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | Good (G) |
| Driver head protection | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Torso | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good (G) |
The Mercedes-Benz GLC earned “Good” ratings across all categories in the side impact test, for both driver and rear passenger protection. This demonstrates robust side impact protection.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Measurement | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to Longitudinal Centerline of Driver’s Seat | -24.0 |
The negative value indicates that the crush stopped well short of the driver’s seat centerline, demonstrating strong resistance to side intrusion.
Driver Injury Measures
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 133 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 2.2 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 137 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 36 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 1.9 |
Injury measures for both driver and passenger are low, confirming excellent side impact protection.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test measures a vehicle’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Curb weight | 4,026 lbs |
| Peak force | 24,311 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 6.04 |
With a strength-to-weight ratio of 6.04, the Mercedes-Benz GLC comfortably achieves a “Good” rating in roof strength, indicating strong structural integrity in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection in rear-end collisions is assessed through dynamic tests and geometric evaluations of head restraints and seats.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Dynamic rating | Good (G) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good (G) |
The Mercedes-Benz GLC’s power leather seats and head restraints received “Good” ratings for both dynamic performance and geometry, offering excellent whiplash protection.
Headlight Ratings
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime visibility and accident prevention. The IIHS rates headlights as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC has been tested with three different headlight variations.
Advanced Lighting Package (LED Projector)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Good (G) |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
The GLC trim equipped with the Advanced Lighting 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, with high-beam assist compensating for low-beam limitations on curves.
LED Headlamps and Taillamps Package (LED Projector/Reflector)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Acceptable (A) |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
The GLC trim with the LED Headlamps and Taillamps package received an “Acceptable” rating. Low beams offered good to fair visibility, with some glare. High beams provided good to fair visibility.
Standard Headlights (Halogen Reflector)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Marginal (M) |
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
The standard halogen reflector headlights on the GLC received a “Marginal” rating. Low beams provided fair visibility on straightaways but inadequate visibility on left curves, with some glare. High beams offered good to inadequate visibility, depending on the scenario.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are evaluated for their ability to warn drivers and automatically brake to avoid or mitigate collisions with other vehicles.
Optional Pre-Safe Brake with Pedestrian Recognition
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| 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 Mercedes-Benz GLC earns a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention. The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and meets forward collision warning requirements.
Standard Collision Prevention Assist Plus
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| 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 also achieved a “Superior” rating for collision avoidance in 12 mph and 25 mph tests, although it does not meet forward collision warning requirements.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The ease of use of LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) systems for installing child safety seats is assessed.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Acceptable (A) |
The Mercedes-Benz GLC’s LATCH system received an “Acceptable” rating. It has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and one additional position with a tether anchor. While tether anchors are easy to find and not easily confused with other hardware, lower anchors are noted as being somewhat difficult to maneuver around in certain positions.
Conclusion
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC demonstrates strong safety performance across a range of rigorous crash tests. It earns “Good” ratings in most categories, reflecting its robust structural design and effective safety systems. While the driver-side small overlap test revealed an “Acceptable” rating for restraints due to dummy head movement, overall occupant protection is commendable. Headlight ratings vary significantly depending on the trim level, with the Advanced Lighting Package offering the best performance. Front crash prevention systems are rated “Superior”, and the LATCH system is rated “Acceptable”. For buyers prioritizing safety in a luxury compact SUV, the Mercedes-Benz Glc 2018 is a strong contender, particularly when equipped with optional safety and lighting packages.
