The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, redesigned in 2015, continues to be a benchmark in the luxury compact car segment, particularly the 2019 model. This article delves into a detailed analysis of the safety ratings for the Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class, providing a comprehensive overview for potential buyers and automotive enthusiasts. We will explore various crash test evaluations, including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraint assessments, all conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end (25 percent) on the driver’s side strikes a rigid object. This is a particularly challenging test that evaluates how well the vehicle structure holds up and protects the driver in a severe frontal impact.
Rating: Acceptable
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Acceptable |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Acceptable |
Action shot from the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test of a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, highlighting vehicle deformation and airbag deployment.
In the driver-side small overlap test of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the structural performance was rated “Good,” indicating that the safety cage maintained its integrity well. All driver injury measures for head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were also rated “Good,” signifying a low risk of significant injuries in these areas.
Post-crash dummy position inside the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class after the driver-side small overlap test, demonstrating good survival space maintenance.
However, the “Driver restraints and dummy kinematics” were rated “Acceptable.” The test results indicated that while the dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag, it subsequently rolled to the left. This movement occurred because the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the head and torso, causing the head to move towards the gap between the frontal and side curtain airbags.
Close-up view of the dummy head movement in the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class driver-side small overlap test, showing head roll and potential gap in airbag coverage.
Footwell area of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class after the driver-side small overlap test, demonstrating maintained driver space and low risk of lower extremity injuries.
Despite the head movement issue, the driver’s survival space was generally maintained well, and the risk of injuries to the legs and feet remained low.
Technical Measurements – Driver Side Small Overlap
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Footrest (cm) | 10 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 5 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 8 |
| Parking brake (cm) | – |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 2 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 4 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 4 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 4 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 161 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 5 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 21 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 1.2 |
| Right | 1.3 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 3 |
| Right | 5 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.50 |
| Right | 0.43 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 2.8 |
| Right | 2.4 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 80 |
| Right | 73 |
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
Introduced later, the passenger-side small overlap test assesses occupant protection on the passenger side, mirroring the driver-side test in severity and conditions. The rating for the passenger-side small overlap front crash test applies to 2019-21 models of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, including the Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class.
Rating: Good
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
The Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class achieved a “Good” rating in the passenger-side small overlap test. All evaluation criteria, including structure and safety cage, passenger injury measures, passenger restraints and kinematics, as well as driver injury measures and restraints (evaluated in this test as well), were rated “Good”. This indicates robust protection for occupants on both sides of the vehicle in this type of severe frontal crash.
Technical Measurements – Passenger Side Small Overlap
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 6 |
| Footrest (cm) | 12 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 8 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 5 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 3 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Center dash (cm) | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 4 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 4 |
| Passenger injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 109 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 12 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 25 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.2 |
| Right | 0.0 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.37 |
| Right | 0.60 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.8 |
| Right | 1.7 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 51 |
| Right | 77 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 68 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.3 |
| Right | 0.7 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.24 |
| Right | 0.26 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 0.6 |
| Right | 2.4 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 26 |
| Right | 62 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
The moderate overlap front test involves 40 percent of the vehicle’s front width striking a deformable barrier. This test is designed to represent a typical frontal collision between two vehicles.
Rating: Good
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Leg/foot, left | Good |
| Leg/foot, right | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
The Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class demonstrates “Good” performance in the moderate overlap front test. All aspects of the evaluation, including structural integrity and driver injury measures, received the highest rating. This reinforces the vehicle’s capability to protect occupants in a common type of frontal collision.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 1 |
| Left (cm) | 1 |
| Center (cm) | 1 |
| Right (cm) | 1 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 2 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 3 |
| Rearward (cm) | -7 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 148 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 16 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 22 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 1.6 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.3 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 2 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.40 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.31 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.3 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 2.5 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 36 |
| Right | 53 |
Side Impact: Original Test
The side impact test evaluates the protection provided to the driver and rear passenger when struck by a moving barrier that simulates another vehicle.
Rating: Good
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/leg | Good |
| Driver head protection | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/leg | Good |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good |
The Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class, when equipped with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags, achieved a “Good” rating in the side impact test. Both driver and rear passenger injury measures, as well as head protection, were rated “Good,” demonstrating effective occupant protection in side collisions.
Technical Measurements – Side Impact
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -20.5 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 228 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 40 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 35 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.56 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.51 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 2.4 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Combined force (kN) | 3.6 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 36 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 74 |
| Passenger injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 225 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 34 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 18 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 1.94 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.19 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 2.4 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.0 |
| Combined force (kN) | 4.2 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 33 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 51 |
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test measures how much force a vehicle’s roof can withstand before crushing, which is crucial in rollover accidents.
Rating: Good
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Curb weight | 3,522 lbs |
| Peak force | 24,642 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 7.00 |
The Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class received a “Good” rating for roof strength, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 7.00. This indicates that the roof is more than capable of supporting several times the vehicle’s weight, providing significant protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Evaluations of head restraints and seats focus on their ability to protect against whiplash in rear-end collisions.
Rating: Good
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Dynamic rating | Good |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good |
The Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class with power leather seats achieved a “Good” overall rating for head restraints & seats. Both the dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good,” indicating effective whiplash protection.
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats
| Seat type | Power leather seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 38 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | -14 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 16.1 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 57 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 21 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 464 |
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime visibility and accident prevention. The IIHS evaluates headlights based on visibility and glare. Ratings vary depending on the headlight type and trim level.
Headlight Ratings for Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class Trim Levels:
- C300 trim with Adaptive High Beam Assist package: Good
- C300 trim: Acceptable
- C300 trim with Exterior Lighting package: Acceptable
The Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class offers different headlight options, with ratings ranging from “Good” to “Acceptable”. The best-performing headlights are on the C300 trim equipped with the Adaptive High Beam Assist package, earning a “Good” rating. Other trims with LED reflector or LED projector headlights (with or without Exterior Lighting package) achieve “Acceptable” ratings. The primary issues noted were some glare in low beams and varying visibility on curves.
Headlight Technical Measurements Examples:
(For C300 trim equipped with Adaptive High Beam Assist package – Good Rating)
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) | Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 102.1 m | 8.4% |
| Straightaway left edge | 65.0 m | 8.4% |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 57.8 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, right edge | 64.9 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 46.5 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 52.4 m | None |
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 179.1 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 167.4 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 69.0 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 75.6 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 51.4 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 57.6 m |
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems aim to mitigate or prevent collisions with other vehicles. IIHS tests vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention in two scenarios: 12 mph and 25 mph.
Rating: Superior
The Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class earns a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention with both its standard Active Brake Assist and optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function. In both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, the vehicle avoided a collision, demonstrating highly effective automatic emergency braking capabilities.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian front crash prevention systems are designed to detect and mitigate collisions with pedestrians. IIHS tests pedestrian detection in various scenarios during daylight conditions.
Rating: Superior (with optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function) / Basic (with standard Active Brake Assist)
The Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class achieves different ratings for pedestrian front crash prevention depending on the system. With the optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function, it earns a “Superior” rating, avoiding collisions in crossing child and adult scenarios and significantly reducing speed in parallel adult scenarios. The standard Active Brake Assist system receives a “Basic” rating, providing some speed reduction in pedestrian scenarios but not always avoiding collisions.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention Performance Examples:
(Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function – Superior)
- Crossing child (12 mph & 25 mph): Collision avoided
- Crossing adult (12 mph & 25 mph): Collision avoided
- Parallel adult (25 mph): Speed reduced by 24 mph
(Standard Active Brake Assist – Basic)
- Crossing child (12 mph): Speed reduced by 8 mph
- Crossing child (25 mph): Speed reduced by 16 mph
- Crossing adult (12 mph): Collision avoided
- Crossing adult (25 mph): Speed reduced by 18 mph
- Parallel adult (25 mph & 37 mph): Failed to slow
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) is evaluated for ease of use when installing child safety seats.
Rating: Good
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good |
The Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class has a “Good” rating for child seat anchors (LATCH). It features two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor. The LATCH system is evaluated as easy to use, with anchors that are readily accessible and maneuverable.
LATCH System Details:
- 2 rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware
- 1 additional seating position with tether anchor only
Conclusion
Overall, the Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class demonstrates strong safety performance across a range of IIHS crash tests and safety evaluations. It achieves “Good” ratings in most crashworthiness categories, with a notable “Acceptable” rating in the driver-side small overlap test due to dummy kinematics. Its vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system is “Superior”, and pedestrian front crash prevention varies from “Basic” to “Superior” depending on the equipped system. Headlight ratings are also trim-dependent, ranging from “Acceptable” to “Good”. For families, the “Good” rated LATCH system adds to the vehicle’s appeal as a safe choice. Prospective buyers of a Mercedes-Benz 2019 C-Class should consider these detailed safety ratings to make an informed decision, especially regarding headlight options and the desired level of pedestrian front crash prevention.
