Top Safety Pick +

2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

large luxury car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention

2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4-door sedan — 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

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	Basic
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)
Standard system	Basic

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E 300 4-door 2wd

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was redesigned for the 2017 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test 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	VTN1704
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Footrest (cm)	6
Left toepan (cm)	3
Brake pedal (cm)	3
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	2
Lower instrument panel (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1704
Head
HIC-15	173
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	38
Maximum Nij	0.35
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Femur (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.43
Right	0.40
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	3.0
Right	2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	101
Right	98

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E 300 4-door 4wd

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was redesigned for the 2017 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test 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 The dummy’s face largely remained in contact with the frontal airbag, but its head still moved too far to the right toward the gap in coverage between the frontal and side curtain airbags. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.
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	VTP1701
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Footrest (cm)	14
Right toepan (cm)	7
Center toepan (cm)	4
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Upper dash (cm)	6
Right lower dash (cm)	5

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1701
Head
HIC-15	205
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	21
Maximum Nij	0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm)	23
Femur (kN)
Left	0.8
Right	2.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	4
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.55
Right	0.52
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.9
Right	1.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	72
Right	111

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1701
Head
HIC-15	78
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	4
Maximum Nij	0.14
Chest maximum compression (mm)	22
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	1.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.25
Right	0.39
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	26
Right	85

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E 300 4-door 2wd

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was redesigned for the 2017 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test 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	VTF1624
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	1
Left (cm)	1
Center (cm)	1
Right (cm)	0
Brake pedal (cm)	1
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-3
Rearward (cm)	-6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1624
Head
HIC-15	180
Peak gs at hard contact	13
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	6
Maximum Nij	0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm)	34
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.7
Femur force - right (kN)	0.9
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.27
Maximum tibia index - right	0.31
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	1.9
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	40
Right	61

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E 300 4-door 2wd

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was redesigned for the 2017 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test 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	VTS1621
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-23.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1621
Head HIC-15	158
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	28
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	32
Average deflection (mm)	27
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.53
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.45
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.0
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.6
Combined force (kN)	2.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.6
L-M moment (Nm)	37
A-P moment (Nm)	71

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1621
Head HIC-15	108
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Compression (kN)	0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	12
Lateral force (kN)	0.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	9
Average deflection (mm)	7
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	1.07
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.05
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.3
Acetabulum force (kN)	0.5
Combined force (kN)	1.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.4
L-M moment (Nm)	33
A-P moment (Nm)	80

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E 300 4-door 2wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,803 lbs
Peak force	23,517 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	6.18

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)	22
Distance below top of head (mm)	-30
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	15.7
Head contact time (ms)	60
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	480

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)

All trims equipped with Exterior Lighting package

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 both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair 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 in all 4 tests.

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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
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 2021-23 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	106.2 m	None
Straightaway left edge	61.3 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	76.6 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	59.0 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	61.1 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	56.9 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	163.5 m
Straightaway left edge	153.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	86.7 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	96.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	71.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	75.6 m

Trim level(s)

All trims

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
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 fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-23 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	94.8 m	None
Straightaway left edge	55.8 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	65.4 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	56.0 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	56.1 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	58.5 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	168.8 m
Straightaway left edge	110.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	73.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	73.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	58.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	58.6 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 2021-23 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 2021-23 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 2021-23 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, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

System details

standard Active Brake Assist

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2021-23 models

Basic

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 1 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 20 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 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)

Night

System details

standard Active Brake Assist

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2022-23 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, impact speed was reduced by 20 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 20 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 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, this vehicle failed to slow and a warning was issued 0 seconds before impact.

About pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	E 300
Seat type	leatherette

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	E 300
Seat type	leatherette

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)	86
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	82
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)	83
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