Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles built after March 2023

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

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

Crash avoidance & mitigation

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

Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning

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 2023-24 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.

Overall evaluation
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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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

Driver injury measures

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 2023-24 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.

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 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

Passenger injury measures

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

Driver injury measures

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.

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 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

Driver injury measures

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 2023-24 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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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.

Driver injury measures

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

Passenger injury measures

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
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

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
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 2023-24 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
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 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
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 2023-24 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 2023-24 models equipped with Driver Assistance Package 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, 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 2023-24 models

Advanced
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 2023-24 models
Advanced
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 2023-24 models equipped with Driver Assistance Package package
Superior
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 2023-24 models

Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
DurationLong 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
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

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2023-24 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim300
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 trim300
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) 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

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 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

Seat position 23

1

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