Mercedes E class

2003-06 models mfg. after Dec. 2002

FRONTAL OFFSET TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Good

Structure/safety cage	Injury measures				Restraints/dummy kinematics
Structure/safety cage	Head/neck	Chest	Leg/foot, left	Leg/foot, right	Restraints/dummy kinematics

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Test details:

The Mercedes E Class was redesigned for the 2003 model year. 2003 E Class models manufactured after December 2002 include structural changes to improve occupant protection in frontal offset crashes. (Note: Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door.)

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of an E Class with the structural changes in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head moved partway out the open window and hit the B-pillar and window frame.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity. Head acceleration from the B-pillar/window frame hit was low.

Left to right:

Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test. Larger photo
The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well. Larger photo
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the B-pillar and window frame. Head acceleration from this hit was low. Larger photo
Forces on the legs and feet were low, indicating that significant injury was unlikely. Larger photo

Additional features:

Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Rollover sensor: designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover
Automatically adjusting head restraints in front seats move up or down as seats are adjusted forward or rearward
Electronic stability control
Antilock brakes
Daytime running lights

Tested vehicle specifications:

2003 Mercedes E 500 4-door
Class: Large luxury car
Weight: 3,942 lbs.
Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase: 112 in.
Length: 190 in.
Width: 71 in.
Engine: 5.0 L V8
EPA ratings: 16 mpg city | 23 mpg highway

See all test results for Mercedes E class

Last updated: November 3, 2006