The 2009 Mercedes E-Class stands as a testament to luxury and engineering, but for discerning buyers, safety is paramount. If you’re considering a 2009 Mercedes E-Class, understanding its safety performance is crucial. This article delves into the safety ratings of the 2009 Mercedes E-Class, providing a comprehensive overview based on rigorous side-impact crash testing. Specifically focusing on models manufactured between 2007 and 2009, we unpack the details to give you a clear picture of what to expect in terms of occupant protection.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class underwent a significant re-engineering for the 2007 model year, with a strong emphasis on bolstering side-impact crash safety. Initial tests conducted on a 2007 model revealed an “Acceptable” rating. This was largely due to the high forces recorded on the driver dummy’s torso during the side impact test. Mercedes-Benz responded to this by implementing design changes to the front door trim panels in models manufactured after May 2007. These modifications were aimed at further enhancing occupant protection in side-impact collisions.
To assess the effectiveness of these improvements, a subsequent test was performed on a 2007 model incorporating the updated design. While this test demonstrated a reduction in the forces exerted on the driver dummy’s torso, it wasn’t substantial enough to elevate the torso injury rating or the overall vehicle safety rating. Consequently, the safety ratings for all 2007-2009 Mercedes E-Class models are based on the combined results of both the initial and the improved design tests.
Below is a summary of the safety ratings for the 2009 Mercedes E-Class, reflecting its performance in side-impact crash tests:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Acceptable |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Acceptable |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Torso | Marginal |
| Pelvis/Leg | Acceptable |
| Driver Head Protection | Good |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/Leg | Good |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | Good |
Image: Post-crash view of the 2009 Mercedes E-Class and the deformable barrier used in the side impact test, illustrating the forces involved.
The “Acceptable” overall rating for the 2009 Mercedes E-Class indicates a reasonable level of protection in side-impact crashes. The structural integrity of the safety cage was rated as “Acceptable,” suggesting that the vehicle’s structure held up reasonably well during the impact. For driver injury measures, the head and neck protection was rated “Good,” the highest possible rating, indicating excellent protection for these critical areas. However, the torso protection for the driver was rated “Marginal,” suggesting a higher risk of torso injury compared to other body regions. Pelvis and leg protection for the driver was “Acceptable.”
In contrast, rear passenger injury measures were generally more favorable. Head, neck, torso, pelvis, and leg protection for rear passengers were all rated “Good,” indicating a lower risk of injury for occupants in the rear seats during a side-impact collision. Rear passenger head protection was also rated “Good,” signifying effective protection from head injuries.
Image: Side view of the damaged 2009 Mercedes E-Class after the side impact crash test, with doors removed to reveal deployed side airbags and intrusion into the occupant compartment.
To provide a more technical perspective, let’s examine some key measurements taken during the crash tests. The following tables detail the occupant compartment intrusion and injury measures for both the driver and passenger sides.
Technical Measurements: Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Test ID | CES0630 | CES0719 |
|---|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -7.5 | -9.0 |
Note: Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.
This data shows the extent of intrusion into the occupant compartment on the driver’s side during two different tests (CES0630 and CES0719). The B-pillar intrusion measurements indicate how much the side structure of the vehicle was pushed inward towards the driver’s seat.
Technical Measurements: Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0630 |
| Head HIC-15 | 132 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 42 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 53 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 46 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 5.19 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 1.33 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 3.1 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.5 |
| Combined force (kN) | 5.5 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 147 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 52 |
This table presents detailed injury measurements for the driver dummy during both crash tests. Values like Head HIC-15 (Head Injury Criterion), neck tension and compression forces, shoulder deflection and force, torso deflection and viscous criterion, pelvis forces, and femur forces and moments provide a comprehensive picture of the potential injury risks to the driver in a side-impact collision.
Image: Close-up of the driver-side dummy’s head after the crash test, showing greasepaint marks indicating contact with the side airbag, confirming effective head protection.
Technical Measurements: Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0630 |
| Head HIC-15 | 42 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 1.0 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 15 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.59 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.32 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.5 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.8 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.7 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 88 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | -25 |
Similarly, this table details the injury measurements for the rear passenger dummy. Comparing these values to the driver injury measures can highlight differences in protection levels between front and rear occupants. Generally, the passenger injury measures are lower than those for the driver, aligning with the “Good” ratings for rear passenger protection.
Image: Close-up view of the rear passenger dummy’s head post-test, with greasepaint indicating contact with the side curtain airbag, demonstrating head protection for rear occupants.
Conclusion
The 2009 Mercedes E-Class offers a solid level of safety, particularly for rear passengers. While driver torso protection in side-impact crashes was rated as “Marginal,” head and neck protection for both front and rear occupants was “Good.” For prospective buyers of a 2009 Mercedes E-Class, understanding these safety ratings provides valuable insight. While the overall “Acceptable” rating is not the highest, it reflects a commitment to safety engineering, especially considering the improvements made during the 2007-2009 production run. When considering a used 2009 Mercedes E-Class, reviewing its safety performance in side-impact collisions, as detailed in these tests, is a vital part of making an informed decision.
