The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, specifically the 2012 model, stands as a testament to automotive engineering and safety. This article delves into the side impact safety performance of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, drawing upon rigorous testing and evaluations to provide a clear picture of its protective capabilities. It’s important to note that the safety rating discussed here applies to models manufactured between 2010 and 2016, built after April 2010, encompassing the 2012 model year.
The evaluation was conducted on a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E 350 4-door, a vehicle fundamentally similar in structure and safety features to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This testing provides valuable insights into how the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2012 is designed to protect occupants in the challenging scenario of a side impact collision.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted the side impact test, assessing various critical aspects of vehicle safety. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class achieved an overall evaluation of “Good”, the highest rating possible. This rating reflects the vehicle’s robust structural design and effective safety systems working in concert to minimize injury risk.
Key evaluation criteria included the integrity of the structure and safety cage, and the injury measures for both the driver and rear passenger. In all categories, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2012 demonstrated “Good” ratings. This means the vehicle’s structure effectively resisted intrusion during the side impact, maintaining the occupant survival space.
Specifically, driver injury measures for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg were all rated “Good”. Similarly, rear passenger injury measures for the same body regions also received “Good” ratings. This consistent performance across both front and rear occupants highlights the comprehensive approach Mercedes-Benz took to side impact protection in the E-Class 2012. Furthermore, both driver and rear passenger head protection were deemed “Good”, largely thanks to the standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags equipped in the vehicle.
Technical measurements from the crash test provide further detail. For instance, measurements of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side showed a negative value, indicating that the crush stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, a positive sign of structural integrity. Driver and passenger injury measures, such as Head Injury Criterion (HIC) scores, neck tension and compression, shoulder deflection and force, torso deflection, pelvis forces, and femur forces, were all recorded and analyzed. These detailed measurements underpin the “Good” ratings by demonstrating low injury risk levels.
The smeared greasepaint on the driver and rear passenger dummies’ heads, as depicted in the test images, visually confirms the effectiveness of the side airbags in preventing head contact with hard structures. This visual evidence, alongside the quantitative data, reinforces the “Good” rating for head protection.
In conclusion, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2012 exhibits a commendable “Good” rating in side impact safety. This rating is supported by both overall evaluations and detailed injury measurements, affirming the vehicle’s design and safety features effectively protect occupants in side collision scenarios. For those prioritizing safety in a luxury vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2012 presents a strong option, particularly when considering side impact protection.
