Top Safety Pick +

2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

midsize luxury car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system	Superior
Standard system	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system	Superior
Standard system	Advanced
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)
Standard system	Basic
Optional system	Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Optional lane departure warning
Optional lane departure prevention
Optional rear automatic braking

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Mercedes-Benz C Class 4-door

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a C-Class conducted by Mercedes-Benz.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2205
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Footrest (cm)	6
Left toepan (cm)	3
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Upper dash (cm)	1
Lower instrument panel (cm)	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2205
Head
HIC-15	235
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.28
Chest maximum compression (mm)	27
Femur (kN)
Left	0.5
Right	0.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.30
Right	0.47
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.9
Right	1.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	58
Right	61

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Mercedes-Benz C Class 4-door

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a C-Class conducted by Mercedes-Benz.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2214
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Footrest (cm)	8
Right toepan (cm)	4
Center toepan (cm)	2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	1
Right lower dash (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2214
Head
HIC-15	121
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm)	22
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.31
Right	0.42
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.4
Right	3.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	65
Right	124

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2214
Head
HIC-15	95
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	5
Maximum Nij	0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm)	27
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.26
Right	0.29
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	23
Right	44

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a C-Class conducted by Mercedes-Benz.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2205
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	1
Left (cm)	1
Center (cm)	2
Right (cm)	1
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-3
Rearward (cm)	-8
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2205
Head
HIC-15	166
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.2
Femur force - right (kN)	1.0
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.48
Maximum tibia index - right	0.46
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.2
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	54
Right	59

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2022-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door 4wd

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a C-Class conducted by Mercedes-Benz.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS2215
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-14.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2215
Head HIC-15	92
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Compression (kN)	-0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	25
Lateral force (kN)	0.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	30
Average deflection (mm)	28
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.70
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.50
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.0
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.5
Combined force (kN)	2.3
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.6
L-M moment (Nm)	90
A-P moment (Nm)	29

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2215
Head HIC-15	169
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Compression (kN)	-0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	29
Lateral force (kN)	1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	14
Average deflection (mm)	10
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	1.20
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.10
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.7
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.6
Combined force (kN)	4.3
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.2
L-M moment (Nm)	29
A-P moment (Nm)	16

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Mercedes-Benz C Class 4-door

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 C-Class conducted by Mercedes-Benz.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2310
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-20.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2310
Head
HIC-15	238
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Compression (kN)	-0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	37
Lateral force (kN)	-1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	36
Average deflection (mm)	32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	5.67
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.67
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	4.7

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2310
Head
HIC-15	241
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Compression (kN)	-0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	22
Lateral force (kN)	-1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	19
Average deflection (mm)	16
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	1.64
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.12
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	2.7

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2022-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,894 lbs
Peak force	24,810 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	6.37

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	18
Distance below top of head (mm)	-20
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	13.7
Head contact time (ms)	59
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	304

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

Premium trim
Exclusive trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Premium trim Exclusive trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2022-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	93.8 m	None
Straightaway left edge	55.1 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	75.5 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	46.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	67.4 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	57.6 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	175.4 m
Straightaway left edge	162.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	80.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	74.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	68.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	60.1 m

Trim level(s)

Premium trim equipped with Digital Light package
Exclusive trim equipped with Digital Light package
Pinnacle trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Premium trim equipped with Digital Light package Exclusive trim equipped with Digital Light package Pinnacle trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2022-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	96.2 m	None
Straightaway left edge	38.4 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	70.1 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	42.9 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	64.1 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	39.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	167.6 m
Straightaway left edge	149.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	96.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	105.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	70.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	77.8 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function

Package name

Optional Driver Assistance

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2022-23 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

Standard Active Brake Assist

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2022-23 models

Superior

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2022-25 models equipped with Driver Assistance package

Superior

with optional equipment

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 36 mph. A warning was issued 2.1 seconds before impact.

System details

standard Active Brake Assist

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2022-25 models

Advanced

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 6 mph.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 20 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 18 mph.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph. A warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

Night

System details

standard Active Brake Assist

Overall evaluation

Includes high-beam assist credit

This rating applies to all 2022-25 models

Basic

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle failed to slow when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle failed to slow.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle failed to slow when using its high beams and a warning was issued 0.4 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, this vehicle failed to slow and a warning was issued 0 seconds before impact.

Night

System details

optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function

Overall evaluation

Includes high-beam assist credit

This rating applies to all 2022-25 models equipped with Driver Assistance package

Superior

with optional equipment

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 29 mph and a warning was issued 1 seconds before impact.

About pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	C 300
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	C 300
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	89
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	88
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	92
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	90
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	52 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	67 dB
Difference between background and signal	15.0 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	54 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	69 dB
Difference between background and signal	15.1 dB
Dominant audio frequency	664 Hz