For discerning drivers, safety is paramount when choosing a luxury vehicle. The 2019 Mercedes-benz C-class stands as a compelling option, blending sophisticated design with advanced safety features. Understanding its safety ratings is crucial for making an informed decision. This comprehensive guide delves into the crash test performance and safety evaluations of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, providing you with the insights you need.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class underwent a redesign in 2015, and the 2019 model year benefits from these structural enhancements and safety technologies. Let’s explore the results of rigorous testing conducted to assess its safety capabilities.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object, such as a tree or pole. This is a particularly challenging test because it concentrates crash forces on a limited area, bypassing some of the vehicle’s main energy-absorbing structures.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door model (representative of the 2015-21 design) was subjected to the driver-side small overlap test. The results are categorized by evaluation criteria and ratings:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | A |
Rating Scale: G = Good, A = Acceptable, M = Marginal, P = Poor
The “Good” rating for structure and safety cage indicates that the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class effectively maintained its structural integrity during the crash. All driver injury measures also received “Good” ratings, signifying a low risk of significant injuries in these areas.
However, the driver restraints and dummy kinematics earned an “Acceptable” rating. The test analysis noted that while the dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag, it rolled to the left due to excessive forward movement allowed by the seat belt. Despite this, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively, offering sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from side structure and external object contact.
Action shot during the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.
Dummy position after the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, showing survival space maintenance.
Head movement of the crash test dummy in the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class driver-side small overlap test, indicating airbag contact and potential gap exposure.
Driver’s side space maintenance in the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class small overlap frontal crash test, showing low leg and foot injury risk.
Technical measurements provide further detail on the vehicle’s performance in this test:
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Footrest (cm) | 10 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 5 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 8 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 2 |
| Steering column | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 4 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 4 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 4 |
These measurements indicate the extent of intrusion into the occupant compartment, with lower numbers generally representing better performance. The intrusion levels for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class are relatively low, reinforcing the “Good” structure rating.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 161 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 5 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 21 |
| Femur (kN) Left | 1.2 |
| Femur (kN) Right | 1.3 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Left | 3 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Right | 5 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Left | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.50 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.43 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Left | 2.8 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Right | 2.4 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Left | 80 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Right | 73 |
These metrics quantify the forces and accelerations experienced by the crash test dummy, providing objective data to support the “Good” injury ratings.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
Recognizing that passenger safety is equally vital, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class was also evaluated for passenger-side small overlap performance. This test, conducted by Mercedes-Benz and assessed by the Institute, provides a comprehensive safety picture.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class achieved a “Good” rating in all categories for the passenger-side small overlap test. This includes overall evaluation, structure, passenger injury measures, passenger restraints, driver injury measures, and driver restraints. This outstanding performance demonstrates robust protection for both the driver and front passenger in this demanding crash scenario.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 6 |
| Footrest (cm) | 12 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 8 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 5 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 3 |
| Center dash (cm) | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 4 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 4 |
Similar to the driver-side, passenger-side intrusion measurements are low, confirming the structural integrity on the passenger side.
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 109 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 12 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 25 |
| Femur (kN) Left | 0.2 |
| Femur (kN) Right | 0.0 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Left | 0 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Left | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.37 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.60 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Left | 1.8 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Right | 1.7 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Left | 51 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Right | 77 |
Driver Injury Measures (Passenger Side Test)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 68 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur (kN) Left | 0.3 |
| Femur (kN) Right | 0.7 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Left | 1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Left | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.24 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.26 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Left | 0.6 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Right | 2.4 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Left | 26 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Right | 62 |
These passenger and driver injury measurements from the passenger-side small overlap test are also very low, reinforcing the “Good” ratings and indicating excellent occupant protection.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
The moderate overlap front crash test involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacting a deformable barrier. This test represents a significant portion of real-world frontal crashes.
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door 4wd (again representative of the 2015-21 design) underwent this test, and the 2019 model maintains these structural characteristics.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class achieved “Good” ratings across the board in the moderate overlap front test. This comprehensive “Good” performance highlights its ability to protect occupants in a common type of frontal collision.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Footrest (cm) | 1 |
| Left (cm) | 1 |
| Center (cm) | 1 |
| Right (cm) | 1 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 2 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Left (cm) | 0 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement Upward (cm) | 3 |
| Steering column movement Rearward (cm) | -7 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
Minimal intrusion measurements in the footwell and occupant compartment further support the “Good” structure rating.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 148 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 16 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 22 |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 1.6 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.3 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 2 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.40 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.31 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.3 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 2.5 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Left | 36 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Right | 53 |
These injury measures are again low, consistent with the “Good” ratings for driver injury protection.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Test
Side impacts are another significant real-world crash scenario. The side crash test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in a side collision. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C 400 4-door 4wd, equipped with standard side airbags, was tested, and the results apply to the 2019 C-Class model as well due to structural carryover.
| 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 |
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class earned “Good” ratings across all categories in the side impact test, for both driver and rear passenger protection. This indicates excellent performance in side collision scenarios.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Test ID | VTS1417 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -20.5 |
The negative intrusion measurement indicates that the structural deformation stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, demonstrating effective side structure resistance.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 228 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 40 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 35 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.56 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.51 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 2.4 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 3.6 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 36 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 74 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 225 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 34 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 18 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 1.94 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.19 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 2.4 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.0 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 4.2 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 33 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 51 |
These injury measurements for both driver and passenger are within low ranges, supporting the “Good” safety ratings in side impacts.
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is critical for rollover protection. The roof strength test measures how much force a vehicle’s roof can withstand before collapsing.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,522 lbs |
| Peak force | 24,642 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 7.00 |
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class achieved a “Good” rating in roof strength, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 7.00. This signifies that the roof can withstand over 7 times the vehicle’s weight, providing excellent rollover protection.
Head Restraints & Seats
Head restraints and seats play a crucial role in preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class with power leather seats received “Good” ratings for both dynamic performance and seat/head restraint geometry. This indicates effective whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Technical Measurements
| Seat type | Power leather seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry Backset (mm) | 38 |
| Geometry Distance below top of head (mm) | -14 |
| Seat design parameters Pass/fail | Pass |
| Seat design parameters Max T1 acceleration (g) | 16.1 |
| Seat design parameters Head contact time (ms) | 57 |
| Seat design parameters Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces Max neck shear force (N) | 21 |
| Neck forces Max neck tension (N) | 464 |
These measurements further detail the head restraint and seat performance, confirming good whiplash protection capabilities.
Headlights
Headlight performance is a vital aspect of nighttime safety. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers different headlight variations, and their ratings vary accordingly.
Trim level: C300 trim equipped with Adaptive High Beam Assist package
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | G |
This trim with Adaptive High Beam Assist package achieves a “Good” overall headlight rating.
Trim level: C300 trim (Standard)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | A |
The standard C300 trim headlights receive an “Acceptable” overall rating.
Trim level: C300 trim equipped with Exterior Lighting package
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | A |
The Exterior Lighting package equipped headlights also achieve an “Acceptable” overall rating.
While some headlight configurations achieve “Good” and “Acceptable” ratings, it’s important to note the differences between trim levels when considering headlight performance for nighttime driving.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are designed to mitigate or prevent collisions with other vehicles. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers two front crash prevention system variations.
System: Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function (Driver Assistance Package)
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
With the optional Driver Assistance Package, the 2019 C-Class achieves a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. It successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and meets forward collision warning requirements.
System: Standard Active Brake Assist
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
The standard Active Brake Assist system also earns a “Superior” rating. It too avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and includes forward collision warning. Both systems demonstrate excellent vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention capabilities.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian detection and prevention systems are increasingly important for urban safety. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers two pedestrian front crash prevention systems.
System: Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function (Driver Assistance package)
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
The optional system earns a “Superior” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention. It avoided collisions with a crossing child and adult in 12 mph and 25 mph tests. In the parallel adult scenario, it significantly reduced impact speed.
System: Standard Active Brake Assist
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Basic |
The standard Active Brake Assist system achieves a “Basic” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention. While it provided some speed reduction in crossing child and adult scenarios, its performance was less robust than the optional system, and it failed to slow in the parallel adult test.
For optimal pedestrian protection, opting for the Driver Assistance Package with Active Brake Assist and Cross-Traffic Function is recommended.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors (LATCH) make it easier to securely install child safety seats.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class achieves a “Good” rating for child seat anchors (LATCH). It has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor. The LATCH system is rated as easy to use.
Details by Seating Position:
Positions 1 and 3 have both tether and lower anchors, with easy-to-find locations and user-friendly hardware. Position 2 has a tether anchor but relies on borrowed lower anchors.
Conclusion: The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class – A Safe and Secure Choice
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving predominantly “Good” and “Superior” ratings in various crash tests and safety evaluations. From structural integrity in demanding small overlap crashes to robust side impact and roof strength performance, the C-Class is designed to protect occupants in a range of collision scenarios.
While headlight ratings vary by trim and the standard pedestrian front crash prevention system is “Basic,” the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class overall presents itself as a safe and secure luxury vehicle choice. For buyers prioritizing the highest levels of safety technology, considering trims with the Adaptive High Beam Assist package and the Driver Assistance Package with Active Brake Assist and Cross-Traffic Function is advisable. By understanding these safety ratings, potential owners can confidently assess the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class’s safety features and make an informed decision for their peace of mind on the road.
