The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class marked a significant redesign, bringing enhanced luxury and performance to the compact sedan segment. For prospective owners and safety-conscious drivers, understanding the vehicle’s safety performance is paramount. This comprehensive review delves into the safety ratings of the Mercedes Benz C 2016, drawing upon rigorous testing and evaluations to provide a detailed analysis.
This article provides an expert overview of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class safety features and crash test performance, based on authoritative safety assessments. We will explore how this model fares in various crash scenarios, its accident prevention technologies, and other crucial safety aspects.
Crashworthiness Ratings of the 2016 Mercedes Benz C-Class
Safety evaluations provide critical insights into how well a vehicle protects its occupants in the event of a collision. The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has undergone extensive testing in various crash scenarios. Let’s examine the results from these evaluations.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test
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 bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the car.
In the small overlap front test for the driver’s side, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door model received a “Good” rating, the highest possible. Key findings from this test include:
- Structure and Safety Cage: Rated “Good”, indicating that the structural integrity of the vehicle was maintained well during the crash.
- Driver Injury Measures: All injury measures for head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were rated “Good”, signifying a low risk of significant injuries in these areas.
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Rated “Acceptable”. While the dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag, it rolled to the left due to excessive forward movement allowed by the seat belt. However, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively, offering head protection.
Action shot of the 2016 Mercedes Benz C-Class during a small overlap frontal crash test.
Post-crash dummy positioning inside the 2016 Mercedes Benz C-Class, showing good survival space maintenance.
Close-up of the dummy’s head movement in the 2016 Mercedes Benz C-Class small overlap test, indicating airbag contact and some roll.
Driver’s side footwell area of the 2016 Mercedes Benz C-Class after the small overlap crash, showing good space maintenance and low injury risk.
Technical measurements from the small overlap test further detail the vehicle’s performance, showing minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment and low injury measures.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
The moderate overlap front test involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacting a barrier. This test is more traditional and represents a significant portion of real-world frontal collisions.
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door 4wd (used for this test) achieved an overall rating of “Good” in the moderate overlap front test. Key highlights include:
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”
- Structure and Safety Cage: “Good”
- Driver Injury Measures: “Good” ratings across all categories: head/neck, chest, and leg/foot (both left and right).
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: “Good”, indicating effective restraint systems and proper dummy movement during the impact.
Technical measurements from this test show minimal footwell intrusion and steering column movement, further confirming the robust safety performance of the Mercedes Benz C 2016 in moderate frontal impacts.
Side Impact Crash Test
Side impact crashes are another serious concern, and evaluating a vehicle’s performance in these scenarios is crucial. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C 400 4-door 4wd, equipped with standard airbags, was tested for side impact protection.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class earned an overall rating of “Good” in the side impact test, demonstrating strong protection for occupants in side collisions. Key findings include:
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”
- Structure and Safety Cage: “Good”
- Driver Injury Measures: “Good” ratings for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg.
- Driver and Rear Passenger Head Protection: “Good”, thanks to the standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags.
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures: Also rated “Good” across all categories (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg, and head protection), indicating excellent protection for rear occupants in side impacts.
Technical measurements from the side impact test reveal minimal B-pillar intrusion and low injury measures for both driver and passenger dummies.
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is vital in rollover accidents. A strong roof can prevent collapse and protect occupants during such events.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door model received a “Good” rating for roof strength. The strength-to-weight ratio of 7.00 significantly exceeds the requirement, indicating a robust roof structure capable of withstanding significant forces in a rollover.
Restraint and Safety Systems of the Mercedes Benz C 2016
Beyond crashworthiness, the effectiveness of a vehicle’s restraint systems and active safety features plays a crucial role in occupant protection.
Head Restraints & Seats
Head restraints are designed to minimize whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class with power leather seats received a “Good” overall rating for head restraints and seats. Both dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good”.
Front Crash Prevention
Front crash prevention systems are designed to help drivers avoid or mitigate frontal collisions. The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers two front crash prevention system configurations:
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Optional Pre-Safe Brake with Driver Assistance Package: This system earned a “Superior” rating. It meets forward collision warning requirements and successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle tests.
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Standard Collision Prevention Assist Plus: This system received an “Advanced” rating. While it avoided a collision in the 12 mph test, it only reduced impact speed by 14 mph in the 25 mph test and does not meet forward collision warning requirements.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
For families, child seat safety is a top priority. The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is equipped with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system, which received a “Good” rating for ease of use. It features two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor.
Headlight Performance: A Noteworthy Weakness
While the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class excels in many safety aspects, its headlight performance is an area of concern. Headlight ratings were assessed for three different trim levels, and all received a “Poor” overall rating.
Headlight Ratings Overview
Across all three headlight variations (Lighting package, Premium 2 package, and standard trim), the overall headlight rating was “Poor”. This indicates that the headlights provided inadequate illumination in various driving conditions, including straightaways and curves, for both low beams and high beams.
- Lighting Package (LED Projector, Curve-Adaptive, High-Beam Assist): Despite advanced features, the low beams provided inadequate visibility on both sides of the road, and high beams were only fair to good in straightaways.
- Premium 2 Package (LED Projector/Reflector, No Curve-Adaptive, No High-Beam Assist): Low beams were fair on the right straightaway but inadequate elsewhere. High beams were fair to inadequate across tests.
- Standard Trim (Halogen Reflector, No Curve-Adaptive, No High-Beam Assist): Provided the poorest performance, with inadequate low beam visibility in all scenarios and inadequate high beam performance on curves.
This “Poor” headlight rating is a significant point to consider for potential buyers, especially those who frequently drive at night or in poorly lit conditions.
Conclusion: 2016 Mercedes Benz C-Class Safety
Overall, the Mercedes Benz C 2016 demonstrates robust safety performance in crash tests, earning mostly “Good” ratings across various categories. It offers advanced front crash prevention systems and user-friendly child seat anchors. However, the “Poor” headlight ratings across all trim levels are a notable drawback.
For those considering a Mercedes Benz C 2016, it’s essential to weigh the excellent crash protection and safety features against the subpar headlight performance. If nighttime driving is a significant part of your routine, considering headlight upgrades or alternative models with better headlight ratings might be prudent. Always prioritize safety when choosing a vehicle, and understand the strengths and weaknesses highlighted by safety evaluations.
