For those prioritizing safety in a luxury SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV 2018 stands out as a vehicle worthy of consideration. Built on the foundation of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the GLE SUV continues the legacy of safety and performance. This article delves into the side impact safety rating of the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV, drawing on data from rigorous testing to provide you with a clear understanding of its protective capabilities.
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class, a precursor to the GLE, underwent a significant redesign in 2012. By 2016, this model evolved and was rebranded as the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. The safety evaluations conducted on the M-Class models between 2016-2019 are directly applicable to the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV, providing valuable insights into its structural integrity and occupant protection in side impact collisions.
Understanding the Side Impact Test
The side impact rating for the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV is derived from tests originally performed on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These tests simulate a common type of severe crash: a vehicle being struck in the side by another vehicle or object.
It’s important to note that while rear side torso airbags became optional starting with the 2014 models (and were standard in 2012-2013), the side impact ratings are combined from tests conducted on models both with and without these optional airbags. This is because the test results indicated that the presence or absence of rear side torso airbags had minimal impact on rear occupant protection in these specific tests. Crucially, all models tested were equipped with standard side curtain airbags, which provide significant protection for occupants in side crashes, especially in a large SUV like the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV with its substantial wheelbase.
Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV Side Impact Rating: “Good”
The Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV achieved an overall “Good” rating in side impact evaluations. This is the highest rating possible from the IIHS and signifies that the vehicle provides excellent protection in this type of crash scenario. The detailed breakdown of the evaluation criteria further illustrates the robust safety performance of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
This table, illustrating the side impact safety ratings for the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV, shows “Good” ratings across all critical categories, reinforcing its strong safety performance.
As the table shows, the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV 2018 earned a “Good” rating (“G”) across all measured aspects of side impact safety. This includes:
- Overall Evaluation: The top-level rating confirms comprehensive good performance.
- Structure and Safety Cage: A “Good” rating here means the GLE SUV’s structure effectively resists intrusion during a side impact, maintaining the occupant space.
- Driver and Rear Passenger Injury Measures: For both front and rear occupants, all body regions (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg) received “Good” ratings, indicating a low risk of significant injuries in a side collision.
- Driver and Rear Passenger Head Protection: “Good” ratings confirm effective head protection for both driver and rear passengers, largely thanks to the standard side curtain airbags.
Technical Measurements: Driver and Passenger Safety
The technical data from the side impact tests provides a deeper dive into how the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV 2018 performs in protecting its occupants. These measurements quantify occupant compartment intrusion and potential injury metrics.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion
| Test ID | VTS1115 | VTS1313 |
|---|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -20.0 | -19.0 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
This table details the minimal occupant compartment intrusion in side impact tests for the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV, demonstrating the vehicle’s robust structural integrity.
The measurements show negative values for B-pillar intrusion relative to the driver’s seat centerline. This indicates that in both tests (VTS1115 and VTS1313), the structural deformation stopped short of reaching the driver’s seat centerline. These are very small intrusion figures, highlighting the robust safety cage of the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV 2018 and its effectiveness in maintaining survival space for occupants during a side impact.
Driver Injury Measures in Detail
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1115 |
| Head HIC-15 | 64 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.47 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.32 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.9 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.8 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 16 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 125 |
Examining the driver injury measures from side impact tests, this table provides a comprehensive look at the safety performance of the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV in protecting the driver.
This detailed table presents the driver injury measures, showing low values across the board, consistent with a “Good” rating. For example, Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) scores are low (64 and 52), indicating a low risk of head injury. Neck, shoulder, torso, pelvis, and femur measurements also show forces and deflections within safe limits. These data points reinforce the “Good” rating and demonstrate the effective safety systems in place to protect the driver of a Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV 2018 during a side impact.
Rear Passenger Injury Measures in Detail
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1115 |
| Head HIC-15 | 81 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.3 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 5 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 0.4 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 20 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.61 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.26 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 0.7 |
| Combined force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 31 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 59 |
This table outlines the rear passenger injury measures from side impact testing, showcasing the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV’s commitment to protecting rear occupants as well.
Similarly, the rear passenger injury measurements are also low and within acceptable safety parameters. While slightly higher than driver injury measures in some categories (which is typical in side impact tests), the values remain well within the “Good” rating threshold. This confirms that the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV 2018 provides robust side impact protection not only for the driver but also for rear seat passengers.
Conclusion: A Safe Choice in the Luxury SUV Segment
The data from side impact testing clearly demonstrates that the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV 2018 is a safe vehicle, earning a top “Good” rating. Its strong structural design, coupled with effective safety features like standard side curtain airbags, ensures excellent protection for occupants in side collision scenarios. For buyers in the market for a Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV 2018, these safety ratings offer peace of mind, making it a compelling choice in the luxury SUV segment. When considering your next vehicle, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV’s safety performance should be a significant factor in your decision.
