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Mercedes M class

2006 models

SIDE IMPACT TEST WITH STANDARD AND ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL SIDE AIRBAGS

OVERALL EVALUATION: Good

	Injury measures			Head protection	Structure/safety cage
	Head/neck	Torso	Pelvis/leg	Head protection	Structure/safety cage
Driver
Rear passenger

Important: Side impact crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle type and weight categories.

Good Good Acceptable Marginal Poor Poor

Test details:

The Mercedes M class was redesigned for the 2006 model year.

Injury measures:

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.

Rear passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Head protection:

Driver — 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 and a side airbag that deployed from the seat.

Rear passenger — 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.

Watch crash test footage for this vehicle on YouTube Tested model year and trim level only; see "Tested vehicle specifications" below

Left to right:

View of the vehicle and barrier just after the crash test.
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Additional features:

Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front and rear seat-mounted torso airbags (rear torso airbags standard beginning with 2007 models, optional in 2006 models)
Rollover sensor: designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover
Electronic stability control
Antilock brakes
Programmable daytime running lights

Tested vehicle specifications:

2006 Mercedes ML 350 4wd
Class: Midsize luxury SUV
Weight: 4,758 lbs.
Side airbags: standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front and optional rear seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase: 115 in.
Length: 188 in.
Width: 75 in.
Engine: 3.5 L V6
EPA ratings: 16 mpg city | 20 mpg highway

See all test results for Mercedes M class

Last updated: April 23, 2008