The 2016 Mercedes-benz Gle marks a significant step in the evolution of Mercedes-Benz SUVs, inheriting the robust safety legacy of the M-Class while introducing a new name and enhanced features. For those prioritizing safety, understanding the crash test performance of the 2016 GLE is crucial. This article delves into the side crash test results for the 2016-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE models, providing a comprehensive overview of their safety capabilities.
The safety evaluation detailed here is based on tests conducted on a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 Bluetec 4-door 4wd. It’s important to note that the Mercedes-Benz M-Class was rebranded as the GLE-Class starting with the 2016 models. The data from these earlier tests are applicable to the 2016-2019 GLE models, providing valuable insights into their structural integrity and occupant protection.
Side Impact Performance of the 2016-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE
The Mercedes-Benz GLE, as evaluated through tests on the ML 350 Bluetec, received a “Good” overall rating in side crash evaluations. This top rating signifies the vehicle’s ability to effectively protect occupants in the event of a side impact collision. The assessment encompasses various critical aspects of vehicle safety, ensuring a holistic evaluation of crashworthiness.
Key Evaluation Criteria and Ratings
The side crash test rigorously assesses both the structural performance of the vehicle and the injury measures for both the driver and rear passenger. The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE, based on the ML 350 Bluetec tests, demonstrated “Good” performance across all individual evaluation criteria:
- 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)
These “Good” ratings across all categories underscore the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE’s commitment to providing superior occupant protection in side-impact collisions.
Understanding the Technical Measurements
In addition to the overall ratings, technical measurements from the crash tests offer a deeper understanding of the vehicle’s performance. These measurements quantify the extent of occupant compartment intrusion and potential injury risks.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion
The measurements for occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side indicate how well the vehicle structure resists deformation during a side impact. Negative values in the table below signify the amount by which the crush stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, demonstrating minimal intrusion into the occupant space.
| Test ID | VTS1115 | VTS1313 |
|---|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -20.0 | -19.0 |
Driver and Passenger Injury Measures
The tables below detail specific injury measures recorded during the crash tests for both the driver and rear passenger. Lower values generally indicate better performance and reduced injury risk. Key measurements include Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15), neck tension and compression forces, shoulder deflection and force, torso deflection and viscous criterion, pelvis forces, and femur forces and moments.
Driver injury measures
| 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 |
Passenger injury measures
| 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 |
Conclusion: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE – A Safe Choice
The side crash test results for the 2016-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE, derived from evaluations of the Mercedes-Benz ML 350 Bluetec, affirm its strong safety performance. Achieving a “Good” rating across all evaluation metrics demonstrates the vehicle’s robust structure and effective occupant protection systems. For those considering a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE, these safety ratings provide assurance of its capability to safeguard occupants in side-impact collisions, making it a safe and reliable choice in the luxury SUV market.
