The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE, a luxury SUV, stands as a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to safety. This analysis delves into the side impact safety performance of the GLE 2017 model, drawing insights from rigorous testing and evaluations conducted for models within the 2016-19 range, which are applicable to the 2017 Benz GLE. Understanding these safety aspects is crucial for prospective buyers and automotive enthusiasts alike.
The safety assessment is based on tests originally performed on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the predecessor to the GLE. It’s important to note that the M-Class was rebranded as the GLE-Class starting with the 2016 models. The data presented here combines results from tests conducted on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 550 V8 and a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 Bluetec diesel V6. This combined data is relevant to the Benz Gle 2017 due to the vehicle’s structural similarities and the consistent safety performance observed across these model years in side impact scenarios.
Comprehensive Side Impact Evaluation
The Mercedes-Benz GLE 2017 achieved an overall “Good” rating in side impact evaluations. This top rating signifies robust protection for occupants in the event of a side collision. The evaluation criteria and the corresponding ratings are detailed below:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G (Good) |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G (Good) |
| Torso | G (Good) |
| Pelvis/Leg | G (Good) |
| Driver Head Protection | G (Good) |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G (Good) |
| Torso | G (Good) |
| Pelvis/Leg | G (Good) |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | G (Good) |
As shown in the table, every aspect of side impact protection for both the driver and rear passenger in the Benz GLE 2017 is rated as “Good”. This includes the structural integrity of the vehicle’s safety cage and the protection offered to critical body regions like the head, neck, torso, and pelvis/leg. The “Good” rating for head protection indicates effective performance of the standard side curtain airbags in preventing head injuries.
Technical Insights from Crash Tests
To further understand the GLE 2017’s side impact performance, it’s helpful to examine the technical measurements from the crash tests. These measurements provide objective data on vehicle intrusion and potential injury levels.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Measurement | Test ID | VTS1115 | VTS1313 |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -20.0 | -19.0 | |
| Negative numbers indicate crush stopped short of seat centerline. |
This data reveals minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment on the driver’s side during the side impact tests. The negative values indicate that the deformation stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, suggesting a strong safety cage that effectively resists intrusion and maintains survival space for the occupant.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement | Test ID | VTS1115 | VTS1313 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 64 | 52 | ||
| Neck | ||||
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 | 0.7 | ||
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 | -0.2 | ||
| Shoulder | ||||
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 26 | 28 | ||
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 | 1.0 | ||
| Torso | ||||
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 31 | 27 | ||
| Average deflection (mm) | 28 | 25 | ||
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.47 | 2.70 | ||
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.32 | 0.33 | ||
| Pelvis | ||||
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.2 | 0.7 | ||
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.7 | 1.4 | ||
| Combined force (kN) | 2.9 | 2.1 | ||
| Left Femur | ||||
| L-M force (kN) | 0.8 | 1.0 | ||
| L-M moment (Nm) | 16 | 20 | ||
| A-P moment (Nm) | 125 | 139 |
These driver injury measurements are all within acceptable limits, reinforcing the “Good” rating. Lower HIC (Head Injury Criterion) values, along with controlled forces and deflections in the neck, shoulder, torso, pelvis, and femur, indicate a low risk of significant injuries to the driver in a side impact collision in a Benz GLE 2017.
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement | Test ID | VTS1115 | VTS1313 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 81 | 104 | ||
| Neck | ||||
| Tension (kN) | 0.3 | 0.3 | ||
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 | 0.3 | ||
| Shoulder | ||||
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 5 | 11 | ||
| Lateral force (kN) | 0.4 | 0.7 | ||
| Torso | ||||
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 28 | 29 | ||
| Average deflection (mm) | 20 | 20 | ||
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.61 | 3.23 | ||
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.26 | 0.38 | ||
| Pelvis | ||||
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.2 | 0.3 | ||
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 0.7 | 0.9 | ||
| Combined force (kN) | 0.9 | 1.2 | ||
| Left Femur | ||||
| L-M force (kN) | 0.4 | 0.3 | ||
| L-M moment (Nm) | 31 | 15 | ||
| A-P moment (Nm) | 59 | 45 |
Similarly, the rear passenger injury measurements are also low, consistent with the “Good” rating for rear passenger protection. The data points to minimal risk of significant injuries for rear occupants in side impact scenarios in the Benz GLE 2017.
Conclusion
The Mercedes-Benz GLE 2017 demonstrates excellent side impact safety performance, earning a “Good” overall rating. Both driver and rear passenger injury measures are well-controlled, indicating a low risk of significant injuries in a side collision. This robust safety performance, substantiated by detailed crash test data, makes the Benz GLE 2017 a safe and reliable choice in the luxury SUV segment, particularly for those prioritizing occupant protection. The consistent “Good” ratings across all evaluated categories provide peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.
