Top Safety Pick +

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles built after March 2023

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system	Superior
Standard system	Advanced
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)
Standard system	Advanced
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
Standard 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 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4-door 4wd

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class was redesigned for the 2023 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 GLC 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	VTN2312
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Footrest (cm)	7
Left toepan (cm)	0
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Parking brake (cm)	0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	0
Upper dash (cm)	1
Lower instrument panel (cm)	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2312
Head
HIC-15	253
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	0
Maximum Nij	0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Femur (kN)
Left	0.3
Right	0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.22
Right	0.36
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	64
Right	55

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4-door 4wd

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class was redesigned for the 2023 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 GLC 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	VTP2321
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	0
Footrest (cm)	7
Right toepan (cm)	5
Center toepan (cm)	0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	0
Upper dash (cm)	2
Right lower dash (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2321
Head
HIC-15	201
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm)	22
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.14
Right	0.30
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.1
Right	1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	70
Right	72

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2321
Head
HIC-15	114
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	21
Maximum Nij	0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm)	34
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.38
Right	0.35
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	32
Right	45

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2023-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4-door 4wd

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class was redesigned for the 2023 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 GLC 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	VTF2319
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	1
Left (cm)	1
Center (cm)	1
Right (cm)	1
Brake pedal (cm)	4
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	VTF2319
Head
HIC-15	193
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	17
Maximum Nij	0.30
Chest maximum compression (mm)	37
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.4
Femur force - right (kN)	0.4
Knee displacement - left (mm)	2
Knee displacement - right (mm)	2
Maximum tibia index - left	0.33
Maximum tibia index - right	0.44
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	0.9
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	50
Right	55

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4-door 4wd

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class was redesigned for the 2023 model year. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 GLC 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	VTS2342
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-27.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2342
Head
HIC-15	108
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	14
Lateral force (kN)	0.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	24
Average deflection (mm)	22
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.72
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.37
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	3.3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2342
Head
HIC-15	240
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.5
Compression (kN)	0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	35
Lateral force (kN)	0.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	25
Average deflection (mm)	14
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.96
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.33
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	2.5

About the side crash test

Headlights

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

Trim level(s)

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

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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	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 2023-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	114.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	68.8 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	58.5 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	59.4 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	59.5 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	59.8 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	145.5 m
Straightaway left edge	142.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	74.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	69.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	64.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	64.5 m

Trim level(s)

Premium trim; built after March 2023
Exclusive trim; built after March 2023

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 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 on the gradual right and gradual left curves and fair on the sharp left and sharp right curves.

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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Premium trim Exclusive trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2023-25 models built after March 2023

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	107.8 m	14.1%
Straightaway left edge	67.6 m	14.1%
250m radius right curve, right edge	68.8 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	67.3 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	56.1 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	55.5 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	175.2 m
Straightaway left edge	140.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	81.7 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	76.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	63.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	64.1 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

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

System details

optional Active Distance Assist Distronic

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2023-25 models equipped with Driver Assistance Package 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, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 2.1 seconds before impact.

System details

standard Active Brake Assist

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2023-25 models

Advanced

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 15 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 16 mph.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 27 mph. A warning was issued 1.7 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 2023-25 models

Advanced

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 23 mph.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 17 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 2 mph.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.4 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, this vehicle failed to slow and a warning was issued 1.2 seconds before impact.

Night

System details

optional Active Distance Assist Distronic

Overall evaluation

Includes high-beam assist credit

This rating applies to all 2023-25 models equipped with Driver Assistance Package 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 2.1 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 26 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 2023-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	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	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)	1
Clearance angle (degrees)	78
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	76
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
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	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
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)	1
Clearance angle (degrees)	72
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	80
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
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	51 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	65 dB
Difference between background and signal	13.6 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	54 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	67 dB
Difference between background and signal	12.7 dB
Dominant audio frequency	664 Hz