The 2018 Mercedes-benz E-class, a luxury vehicle synonymous with sophistication and performance, also stands out for its commitment to safety. Redesigned for the 2017 model year, this generation of the E-Class (models 2017-2023) has undergone rigorous testing to ensure occupant protection in various collision scenarios. This article delves into the safety ratings of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, providing a comprehensive overview of its crash test performance and safety features, based on evaluations conducted by leading safety organizations.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Driver-Side Excellence
In the driver-side small overlap frontal test, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class demonstrated exceptional structural integrity and occupant protection. The evaluation, conducted by Mercedes-Benz and verified by the Institute, resulted in a “Good” overall rating.
The key findings from the driver-side small overlap test are detailed below:
- Structure and Safety Cage: The structure and safety cage of the 2018 E-Class earned a “Good” rating, indicating robust construction to withstand the forces of a small overlap crash.
- Driver Injury Measures: All driver injury measures were rated “Good,” signifying a low risk of significant injuries to the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot regions.
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: The performance of the restraints and dummy kinematics was also rated “Good,” indicating that the safety systems effectively controlled the dummy’s movement during the crash, minimizing potential injuries.
Technical Measurements: Driver-Side Small Overlap Frontal Test
The technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test provide a deeper insight into the vehicle’s performance:
| Measurement Category | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 2 |
| Footrest | 6 |
| Left Toepan | 3 |
| Brake Pedal | 3 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 1 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Steering Column | 0 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 2 |
| Upper Dash | 2 |
| Lower Instrument Panel | 2 |
| Injury Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 173 |
| Peak gs at Hard Contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 38 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.35 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum Compression (mm) | 28 |
| Femur (Left/Right) | 1.4 kN / 1.0 kN |
| Knee Displacement (Left/Right) | 2 mm / 2 mm |
| Tibia Index (Left/Right) | 0.43 / 0.40 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Left/Right) | 3.0 kN / 2.0 kN |
| Foot Acceleration (Left/Right) | 101 g / 98 g |
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Passenger-Side Performance
The passenger-side small overlap frontal test is crucial for evaluating the safety provided to front-seat passengers. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class achieved a “Good” overall rating in this assessment as well.
Key highlights from the passenger-side small overlap test include:
- Overall Evaluation and Structure: The overall evaluation and structural performance were both rated “Good,” mirroring the driver-side results and indicating consistent structural strength across the front of the vehicle.
- Passenger Injury Measures: Similar to the driver-side, all passenger injury measures for head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were rated “Good.”
- Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: The passenger restraints and dummy kinematics were rated “Acceptable.” While the frontal airbag performed well, there was an indication of the dummy’s head moving too far to the right, towards the gap between airbags. However, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively, providing adequate head protection.
- Driver Injury Measures & Restraints: Importantly, driver injury measures and restraints were also assessed in the passenger-side test and received “Good” ratings, confirming consistent safety performance for the driver even in a passenger-side impact scenario.
Technical Measurements: Passenger-Side Small Overlap Frontal Test
| Measurement Category | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 5 |
| Footrest | 14 |
| Right Toepan | 7 |
| Center Toepan | 4 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 0 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Center Dash | 2 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 6 |
| Upper Dash | 6 |
| Right Lower Dash | 5 |
| Injury Measure (Passenger/Driver) | Value (Passenger) / Value (Driver) |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 205 / 78 |
| Peak gs at Hard Contact | No Contact / No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.7 / 0.7 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 21 / 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 / 0.14 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum Compression (mm) | 23 / 22 |
| Femur (Left/Right) | 0.8 kN / 2.0 kN / 0.2 kN / 1.0 kN |
| Knee Displacement (Left/Right) | 4 mm / 2 mm / 1 mm / 1 mm |
| Tibia Index (Left/Right) | 0.55 / 0.52 / 0.25 / 0.39 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Left/Right) | 1.9 kN / 1.9 kN / 0.2 kN / 2.8 kN |
| Foot Acceleration (Left/Right) | 72 g / 111 g / 26 g / 85 g |
Moderate Overlap Frontal Test: Excellent Performance
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class also excelled in the moderate overlap frontal test, another critical evaluation of frontal crashworthiness, securing a “Good” overall rating.
The moderate overlap test results highlight:
- Overall Evaluation and Structure: Consistent with the small overlap tests, the overall evaluation and structural performance were rated “Good.”
- Driver Injury Measures: All driver injury measures for head/neck, chest, and leg/foot (left and right) were rated “Good,” demonstrating comprehensive protection in a more common type of frontal collision.
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: The driver restraints and dummy kinematics again received a “Good” rating, reinforcing the effectiveness of the E-Class’s safety systems in managing crash forces.
Technical Measurements: Moderate Overlap Frontal Test
| Measurement Category | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footwell Intrusion | |
| Footrest | 1 |
| Left | 1 |
| Center | 1 |
| Right | 0 |
| Brake Pedal | 1 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Steering Column Movement | |
| Upward | -3 |
| Rearward | -6 |
| A-Pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
| Injury Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 180 |
| Peak gs at Hard Contact | 13 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 6 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.26 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum Compression (mm) | 34 |
| Femur Force (Left/Right) | 0.7 kN / 0.9 kN |
| Knee Displacement (Left/Right) | 1 mm / 1 mm |
| Tibia Index (Left/Right) | 0.27 / 0.31 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Left/Right) | 1.9 kN / 2.7 kN |
| Foot Acceleration (Left/Right) | 40 g / 61 g |
Side Impact and Roof Strength: Top Safety Marks
Beyond frontal crashes, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class demonstrates robust protection in side-impact and rollover scenarios.
Side Impact Test:
- Overall Evaluation and Structure: The 2018 E-Class earned a “Good” overall and structural rating in the side impact test.
- Driver and Rear Passenger Injury Measures: All driver and rear passenger injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg) were rated “Good.”
- Driver and Rear Passenger Head Protection: Both driver and rear passenger head protection were rated “Good,” signifying effective head-protecting airbags and structure.
Roof Strength Test:
- Overall Evaluation: The roof strength of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was rated “Good,” indicating a strong roof capable of withstanding significant force in a rollover.
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: The E-Class achieved an impressive strength-to-weight ratio of 6.18.
Technical Measurements: Side Impact Test
| Measurement Category | Driver Value | Passenger Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 158 | 108 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Shoulder Lateral Deflection (mm) | 28 | 12 |
| Shoulder Lateral Force (kN) | 1.2 | 0.7 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 32 | 9 |
| Torso Average Deflection (mm) | 27 | 7 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 3.53 | 1.07 |
| Torso Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 0.45 | 0.05 |
| Pelvis Iliac Force (kN) | 1.0 | 1.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum Force (kN) | 1.6 | 0.5 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 2.6 | 1.8 |
| Left Femur L-M Force (kN) | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Left Femur L-M Moment (Nm) | 37 | 33 |
| Left Femur A-P Moment (Nm) | 71 | 80 |
Head Restraints and Seats: Whiplash Protection
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class’s seat and head restraint design also contributes to its safety profile, earning a “Good” rating for whiplash protection in rear-end collisions.
- Overall Evaluation and Dynamic Rating: Both the overall evaluation and dynamic rating for head restraints & seats were “Good.”
- Seat/Head Restraint Geometry: The seat and head restraint geometry also received a “Good” rating, indicating proper design for whiplash prevention.
Technical Measurements: Head Restraints & Seats
| Measurement Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Geometry Backset (mm) | 22 |
| Distance Below Top of Head (mm) | -30 |
| Max T1 Acceleration (g) | 15.7 |
| Head Contact Time (ms) | 60 |
| Force Rating | 1 |
| Max Neck Shear Force (N) | 0 |
| Max Neck Tension (N) | 480 |
Headlight Performance: Variations Based on Trim
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime safety. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers different headlight systems depending on the trim level.
Premium II and Premium III Packages (LED Projector Headlights):
- Overall Rating: “Good”
- Low and High Beam Type: LED Projector
- Curve-Adaptive and High-Beam Assist: Yes
Base Trim (LED Reflector High Beams, LED Projector Low Beams):
- Overall Rating: “Acceptable”
- Low Beam Type: LED Projector
- High Beam Type: LED Reflector
- Curve-Adaptive and High-Beam Assist: No
While both headlight systems provide LED technology, the premium packages offer superior performance with curve-adaptive features and high-beam assist, resulting in a “Good” rating, while the base trim achieves an “Acceptable” rating.
Front Crash Prevention: Superior Rating
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class boasts superior front crash prevention systems, further enhancing its safety credentials.
- Overall Evaluation: “Superior” for both standard and optional Active Brake Assist systems.
- Forward Collision Warning: Both systems meet requirements for forward collision warning.
- Automatic Emergency Braking: In both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle tests, the E-Class avoided collisions with both standard and optional systems.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH): Ease of Use
For families, child seat anchor ease of use is a significant safety consideration. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class received a “Good” rating for its LATCH system.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”
- Number of LATCH Positions: 2 rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware, and 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor.
- Ease of Use: The LATCH system is designed for ease of use, with anchors that are not too deep in the seat and easy to maneuver around.
Conclusion: The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class – A Safe and Secure Luxury Choice
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class demonstrates exceptional safety performance across a range of crash tests and safety evaluations. From “Good” ratings in small overlap, moderate overlap, side impact, roof strength, and head restraint tests, to a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention and a “Good” rating for LATCH, the 2018 E-Class prioritizes occupant safety. While headlight performance varies by trim, the availability of a “Good” rated LED projector system in premium packages further enhances visibility and safety. For those seeking a luxury vehicle that doesn’t compromise on safety, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class stands as a compelling choice.
