For those prioritizing safety in a luxury SUV, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 stands out as a compelling option. Understanding vehicle safety ratings is crucial when making informed decisions, and the GLE 350 has undergone rigorous testing to ensure occupant protection. This article delves into the side impact safety performance of the 2016 GLE 350, providing a comprehensive overview based on established safety standards.
Understanding the Side Impact Test & GLE-Class Rating
It’s important to note that the safety ratings for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, including the GLE 350 model, are based on tests conducted on its predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class. The M-Class was redesigned in 2012 and rebranded as the GLE-Class starting with the 2016 models. The side impact evaluations we’re discussing here apply to models from 2016 to 2019.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted the side impact tests that inform these ratings. Notably, the ratings are derived from two separate tests performed by Mercedes-Benz. The first test involved a 2012 ML 550 V8 equipped with standard rear side torso airbags. The second test utilized a 2014 ML 350 Bluetec diesel V6 without the optional rear side torso airbags.
A side view of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, highlighting its SUV body style relevant to side impact safety considerations.
Interestingly, the presence or absence of rear side torso airbags had minimal impact on rear occupant protection in these tests. This is attributed to the vehicle’s design as a large SUV with a long wheelbase (115 inches). In such vehicles, the impact barrier in side collisions affects the vehicle further away from the rear seating area. Crucially, all occupants in the 2016 GLE 350 benefit from standard side curtain airbags, which offer significant protection in side impact scenarios. The combined data from these tests allows for a comprehensive side impact safety rating for the 2016-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.
Detailed Safety Ratings Breakdown
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, and by extension the GLE 350, achieved a “Good” overall rating in side impact evaluations. This “Good” rating extends to critical aspects of the test, indicating robust protection for occupants. Here’s a breakdown of the ratings across different evaluation criteria:
| 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 |
In this table, “G” stands for “Good,” the highest rating possible. As you can see, the 2016 GLE 350 demonstrates “Good” protection across all measured body regions for both the driver and rear passenger. This consistent “Good” performance underscores the vehicle’s strong structural integrity and effective safety systems in side impact collisions.
Technical Insights from Safety Tests
Beyond the overall ratings, technical measurements from the side impact tests provide deeper insights into the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350‘s performance. These measurements quantify occupant compartment intrusion and potential injury levels. Below are selected technical measurements from the tests:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| 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.
An interior shot of a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, showcasing the cabin space and seating relevant to occupant safety in side impacts.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1115 |
| Head HIC-15 | 64 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.2 |
Passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1115 |
| Head HIC-15 | 81 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.3 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 0.2 |
Note: VTS1115 refers to the 2012 ML 550 test, and VTS1313 refers to the 2014 ML 350 test.
These technical measurements, while detailed, reinforce the “Good” ratings. Lower numbers generally indicate better performance in terms of occupant compartment intrusion and lower injury measures. For example, the negative B-pillar intrusion values indicate that the structural crush stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, contributing to occupant space preservation. Similarly, the relatively low Head HIC-15 values for both driver and passenger suggest a lower risk of head injury in a side impact.
Conclusion
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 earns a “Good” rating for side impact safety, reflecting robust occupant protection based on rigorous testing. This rating, derived from tests on the preceding M-Class models, underscores the strong structural design and effective safety features of the GLE-Class in side collision scenarios. For buyers prioritizing safety in a luxury SUV, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 provides demonstrable side impact protection, making it a confident choice for families and safety-conscious drivers.
