Applies to 2012-15 models
| Overall evaluation |
G
|
| Structure and safety cage |
G
|
| Driver injury measures |
| Head/neck |
G
|
| Torso |
G
|
| Pelvis/leg |
G
|
| Head protection |
G
|
| Rear passenger injury measures |
| Head/neck |
G
|
| Torso |
G
|
| Pelvis/leg |
G
|
| Head protection |
G
|
| Side crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories. |
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class was redesigned for the 2012 model year and renamed the GLE-Class beginning with 2016 models.
Beginning with 2014 models, side torso airbags became optional for rear seat occupants (they were standard in 2012-13 models). Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on two tests conducted by Mercedes-Benz as part of side crash test verification.
The first test was conducted on a 2012 model ML 550 V8 (including the standard rear side torso airbags) and the second test on a 2014 model ML 350 Bluetec diesel V6 without the optional rear side torso airbags. The ratings for these vehicles are combined because the presence or lack of rear side torso airbags made little difference for rear occupant protection in the tests. (Rear occupants still receive the benefit of the standard side curtain airbags.) This is because for a large vehicle with a long wheelbase (115 inches in this case), the intruding barrier impacts the vehicle relatively far from the rear seat.
The vehicle specifications shown below are based on the 2014 model. (The 2012 model tested is over 300 pounds lighter but obtains poorer gas mileage. Wheelbase, length, and width are identical.)
Injury measures
Driver — In both tests, measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Passenger — In both tests, measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Head protection
Driver — In both tests, the dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.
Passenger — In both tests, the dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.
Tested vehicle specifications
| Tested vehicle |
2014 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 Bluetec 4-door 4wd |
| Weight |
4,861 lbs. |
| Side airbags |
standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags |
| Wheelbase |
115 in. |
| Length |
189 in. |
| Width |
76 in. |
| Engine |
3.0 L turbocharged diesel V6 |
| EPA ratings |
20 mpg city / 28 mpg highway |
How this test is conducted
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID |
VTS1115 |
VTS1313 |
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
-20.0 |
-19.0 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID |
VTS1115 |
VTS1313 |
| Head HIC-15 |
64 |
52 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
1.0 |
0.7 |
| Compression (kN) |
0.3 |
-0.2 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
26 |
28 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
1.2 |
1.0 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
31 |
27 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
28 |
25 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
2.47 |
2.70 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
0.32 |
0.33 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
1.2 |
0.7 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
1.7 |
1.4 |
| Combined force (kN) |
2.9 |
2.1 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
0.8 |
1.0 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
16 |
20 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
125 |
139 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID |
VTS1115 |
VTS1313 |
| Head HIC-15 |
81 |
104 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
0.3 |
0.3 |
| Compression (kN) |
0.3 |
0.3 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
5 |
11 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
0.4 |
0.7 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
28 |
29 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
20 |
20 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
2.61 |
3.23 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
0.26 |
0.38 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
0.2 |
0.3 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
0.7 |
0.9 |
| Combined force (kN) |
0.9 |
1.2 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
0.4 |
0.3 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
31 |
15 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
59 |
45 |