Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

midsize luxury car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles built after January 2021 with optional front crash prevention

2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

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

Crash avoidance & mitigation

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
Basic

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning
  • Optional lane departure prevention

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 2015-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2015 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but rolled to the left because the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the head and torso. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

The dummy's head contacted the frontal airbag but rolled partway around the left side, allowing the head to move toward the gap in coverage between the frontal and side curtain airbags.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1634
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Footrest (cm) 10
Left toepan (cm) 5
Brake pedal (cm) 8
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 4
Lower instrument panel (cm) 4

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1634
Head
HIC-15 161
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 5
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 21
Femur (kN)
Left 1.2
Right 1.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 3
Right 5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.50
Right 0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.8
Right 2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 80
Right 73

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2019-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2015 model year.

Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mercedes-Benz.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1824
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Footrest (cm) 12
Right toepan (cm) 8
Center toepan (cm) 5
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 3
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 4
Right lower dash (cm) 4

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1824
Head
HIC-15 109
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.37
Right 0.60
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.8
Right 1.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 51
Right 77

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1824
Head
HIC-15 68
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 4
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 20
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.24
Right 0.26
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.6
Right 2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 26
Right 62

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2015-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door 4wd

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mercedes-Benz.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1415
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 1
Left (cm) 1
Center (cm) 1
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) -7
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1415
Head
HIC-15 148
Peak gs at hard contact 16
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.6
Femur force - right (kN) 1.3
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 2
Maximum tibia index - left 0.40
Maximum tibia index - right 0.31
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.3
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 36
Right 53

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2015-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C 400 4-door 4wd with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mercedes-Benz.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1417
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -20.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1417
Head HIC-15 228
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 40
Lateral force (kN) 1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 35
Average deflection (mm) 32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.56
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.51
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 2.4
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.2
Combined force (kN) 3.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 36
A-P moment (Nm) 74

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1417
Head HIC-15 225
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 34
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 22
Average deflection (mm) 18
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.94
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.19
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 2.4
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.0
Combined force (kN) 4.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.5
L-M moment (Nm) 33
A-P moment (Nm) 51

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2015-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,522 lbs
Peak force24,642 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio7.00

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) 38
Distance below top of head (mm) -14
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 16.1
Head contact time (ms) 57
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 21
Max neck tension (N) 464

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

Headlights

Ratings are given for 4 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • All trims equipped with Exterior Lighting package; built after January 2021
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

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

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the gradual left curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • All trims equipped with Exterior Lighting package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2021 models built after January 2021
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 118.7 m 21.7%
Straightaway left edge 65.2 m 21.7%
250m radius right curve, right edge 80.6 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 65.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 67.4 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 60.1 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 155.6 m
Straightaway left edge 139.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 86.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 95.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 70.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 74.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • C300 trim equipped with Adaptive High Beam Assist package
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

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

The low beams created some glare.

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

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • C300 trim equipped with Adaptive High Beam Assist package
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-21 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 102.1 m 8.4%
Straightaway left edge 65.0 m 8.4%
250m radius right curve, right edge 57.8 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 64.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 46.5 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 52.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 179.1 m
Straightaway left edge 167.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 69.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 75.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 51.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 57.6 m

Trim level(s)

  • C300 trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

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

The low beams created some glare.

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

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • C300 trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-21 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 102.1 m 8.4%
Straightaway left edge 65.0 m 8.4%
250m radius right curve, right edge 57.8 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 64.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 46.5 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 52.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 179.1 m
Straightaway left edge 167.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 69.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 75.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 51.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 57.6 m

Trim level(s)

  • All trims equipped with Exterior Lighting package; built before February 2021
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Excessive glare

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

The low beams created excessive glare.

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 gradual left curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • All trims equipped with Exterior Lighting package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2021 models built before February 2021
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 117.0 m 47.8%
Straightaway left edge 65.1 m 47.8%
250m radius right curve, right edge 83.2 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 69.0 m 71.4%
150m radius right curve, right edge 68.6 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 62.7 m 65.9%
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 160.7 m
Straightaway left edge 150.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 89.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 96.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 72.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 74.2 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 Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-21 models

Superior
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 2019-21 models

Superior
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 2019-21 models equipped with Driver Assistance package

Superior
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, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision. A warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

System details

  • standard Active Brake Assist

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2019-21 models

Basic
Basic

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 8 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 16 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 18 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle failed to slow.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle failed to slow. A warning was issued 0.4 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2015-21 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimC 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.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimC 300
Seat type leather
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
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

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
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
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

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 3
Clearance angle (degrees) 69
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 2
Clearance angle (degrees) 61
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

Seat position 22

2

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

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 4
Clearance angle (degrees) 56
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 5
Clearance angle (degrees) 70
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