The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a symbol of luxury and performance, underwent a significant redesign for the 2003 model year. This update, particularly for models manufactured after December 2002, included crucial structural enhancements aimed at bolstering occupant protection during frontal offset collisions. It’s important for owners and potential buyers to verify the manufacturing date of their vehicle, typically found on the certification label located on or near the driver’s side door, to understand which safety standards apply.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rigorously evaluated the crashworthiness of an E-Class equipped with these structural improvements. The assessment involved a demanding 40 mph frontal offset crash test against a deformable barrier, simulating a real-world collision scenario.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | A |
Action captured during the frontal offset crash test of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, demonstrating the vehicle’s structural integrity upon impact.
The results of the crash test were highly encouraging. The 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class achieved an overall evaluation of “Good,” the highest rating possible from IIHS. This “Good” rating extended to critical aspects such as the vehicle’s structure and safety cage, indicating a robust design capable of withstanding significant crash forces and maintaining the occupant survival space.
Post-crash test analysis of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class dummy position, illustrating excellent maintenance of the driver’s survival space, crucial for occupant safety.
Analysis of driver injury measures revealed “Good” ratings across all categories, including head/neck, chest, and leg/foot for both left and right sides. This signifies a low risk of significant injuries to these body regions in a similar frontal offset crash. The “Acceptable” rating for driver restraints and dummy kinematics notes that while dummy movement was generally well-controlled, there was some head contact with the B-pillar and window frame during rebound. However, importantly, head acceleration from this contact was measured as low, minimizing potential injury risk.
Greasepaint on the B-pillar and window frame of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, indicating the dummy head’s contact point during the crash test, with low head acceleration recorded.
Technical measurements from the test provide further insights into the vehicle’s performance. Intrusion into the footwell was minimal, ranging from 3 to 9 cm, and instrument panel rearward movement was negligible. Steering column and A-pillar movement were also within acceptable limits, demonstrating the structural integrity of the driver’s side compartment.
Examination of the leg and foot impact zones within the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class after the crash test, showing low force levels and minimal risk of significant injury.
Driver injury measures, recorded through sensors on the crash test dummy, confirmed low forces on the legs and feet. Femur forces, knee displacement, tibia index, and tibia axial force were all within levels indicating a low probability of significant injuries to the lower extremities. Similarly, head and neck injury measures were low, reinforcing the “Good” rating in these categories.
In conclusion, the IIHS crash test results for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class highlight its strong safety performance in frontal offset collisions. The “Good” overall rating and robust structural design offer reassurance to drivers and passengers, making the 2004 E-Class a safe and reliable choice in its vehicle class.
