The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has long been synonymous with luxury and performance, and the 2021 model year continues this tradition while placing a strong emphasis on safety. For those considering the Mercedes E-Class 2021, understanding its safety credentials is paramount. This article delves into the detailed safety ratings awarded to the 2017-2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), providing a comprehensive overview of its crashworthiness and preventative safety features.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end, on the driver’s side, strikes a rigid object. This is a particularly challenging test as it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the vehicle. The Mercedes E-Class 2021 demonstrated exceptional performance in this demanding evaluation.
Driver-Side Small Overlap Frontal Test Results
The 2017-23 models of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, including the Mercedes E-Class 2021, received a “Good” rating in the driver-side small overlap front crash test. This is the highest possible rating, indicating superior protection in this type of collision.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) |
| Structure and safety cage | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G (Good) |
| Chest | G (Good) |
| Hip/thigh | G (Good) |
| Lower leg/foot | G (Good) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G (Good) |
The technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test further illustrate the robust safety performance of the Mercedes E-Class 2021. Minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment and low injury measures for the driver dummy highlight the effectiveness of the vehicle’s structural design and safety systems.
Technical Measurements: Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 2 |
| Footrest | 6 |
| Left toepan | 3 |
| Brake pedal | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 1 |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 2 |
| Upper dash | 2 |
| Lower instrument panel | 2 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 173 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 38 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.35 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 28 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 1.4 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 1.0 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 2 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 2 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.43 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.40 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 3.0 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 2.0 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 101 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 98 |
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
Extending the rigorous testing to the passenger side, the small overlap frontal test assesses how well the vehicle protects occupants in the front passenger seat. The Mercedes E-Class 2021 once again proved its safety prowess in this evaluation.
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Frontal Test Results
The Mercedes E-Class 2021 achieved a “Good” overall rating in the passenger-side small overlap front crash test. While the passenger restraints and dummy kinematics received an “Acceptable” rating due to head movement towards the gap between airbags, the overall structural integrity and injury measures remained at the top “Good” level.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) |
| Structure and safety cage | G (Good) |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G (Good) |
| Chest | G (Good) |
| Hip/thigh | G (Good) |
| Lower leg/foot | G (Good) |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | A (Acceptable) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G (Good) |
| Chest | G (Good) |
| Hip/thigh | G (Good) |
| Lower leg/foot | G (Good) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G (Good) |
The technical data from the passenger-side test provides further insights into the vehicle’s performance. Intrusion measurements were slightly higher on the passenger side compared to the driver side, but injury measures for both passenger and driver dummies remained low, reaffirming the strong safety characteristics of the Mercedes E-Class 2021.
Technical Measurements: Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 5 |
| Footrest | 14 |
| Right toepan | 7 |
| Center toepan | 4 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 0 |
| Center dash | 2 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 6 |
| Upper dash | 6 |
| Right lower dash | 5 |
| Passenger injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 205 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 21 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 23 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.8 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 2.0 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 4 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 2 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.55 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.52 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 1.9 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 1.9 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 72 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 111 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 78 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.14 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 22 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.2 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 1.0 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.25 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.39 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 0.2 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 2.8 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 26 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 85 |
Moderate Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Original Evaluation
The moderate overlap frontal test, a more traditional crash test, involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacting a deformable barrier. The Mercedes E-Class 2021 again excelled, achieving the highest possible rating.
Moderate Overlap Frontal Test Results
The Mercedes E-Class 2021 earned a “Good” overall rating for the moderate overlap frontal crash test. All measured criteria, including structural performance and driver injury measures, were rated as “Good,” reflecting excellent protection in this common type of frontal collision.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) |
| Structure and safety cage | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G (Good) |
| Chest | G (Good) |
| Leg/foot, left | G (Good) |
| Leg/foot, right | G (Good) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G (Good) |
The technical measurements further validate the “Good” rating, showing minimal footwell intrusion and low driver injury measures. The Mercedes E-Class 2021‘s design effectively manages crash forces in a moderate overlap scenario.
Technical Measurements: Moderate Overlap Frontal Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest | 1 |
| Left | 1 |
| Center | 1 |
| Right | 0 |
| Brake pedal | 1 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Left | 0 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Right | 0 |
| Steering column movement Upward | -3 |
| Steering column movement Rearward | -6 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 180 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 13 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 6 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.26 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 34 |
| 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 Left (g) | 40 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 61 |
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Evaluation
Side impacts are another critical area of safety assessment. The Mercedes E-Class 2021 was subjected to the IIHS side impact test, simulating a collision with another vehicle.
Side Impact Test Results
The Mercedes E-Class 2021 achieved a “Good” overall rating in the side impact test. Both driver and rear passenger injury measures, as well as head protection, were rated “Good,” demonstrating comprehensive side impact protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) |
| Structure and safety cage | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G (Good) |
| Torso | G (Good) |
| Pelvis/leg | G (Good) |
| Driver head protection | G (Good) |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G (Good) |
| Torso | G (Good) |
| Pelvis/leg | G (Good) |
| Rear passenger head protection | G (Good) |
Technical measurements from the side impact test confirm the effectiveness of the Mercedes E-Class 2021‘s side structure and safety systems in minimizing occupant injury.
Technical Measurements: Side Impact Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -23.0 |
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 158 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 27 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.53 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.45 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.6 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.6 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 37 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 71 |
| Passenger injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 108 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 12 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 0.7 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 9 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 7 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 1.07 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.05 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 33 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 80 |
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is an important factor in rollover accidents. The IIHS roof strength test measures the vehicle’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover scenario.
Roof Strength Test Results
The Mercedes E-Class 2021 achieved a “Good” overall rating in roof strength. With a strength-to-weight ratio of 6.18, the roof demonstrated its capability to protect occupants in rollover situations.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) |
| Curb weight | 3,803 lbs |
| Peak force | 23,517 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 6.18 |
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
Whiplash protection is a key consideration in rear-end collisions. The IIHS evaluates head restraints and seats to assess their effectiveness in preventing whiplash injuries.
Head Restraints & Seats Test Results
The Mercedes E-Class 2021 with power leather seats received a “Good” overall rating for head restraints and seats. Both dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were evaluated as “Good,” indicating excellent whiplash protection.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) |
| Dynamic rating | G (Good) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G (Good) |
Technical Measurements: Head Restraints & Seats Test
| Technical measurements for this test | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 22 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | -30 |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 15.7 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 60 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 480 |
Headlight Ratings: A Variety of Options
Headlight performance is crucial for nighttime driving safety. The Mercedes E-Class 2021 offers multiple headlight configurations, and their ratings vary.
Headlight Evaluation Results
The Mercedes E-Class 2021 headlight ratings range from “Good” to “Poor” depending on the trim level and package. The best-performing headlights are the LED projector headlights available with the Exterior Lighting package, achieving a “Good” overall rating. Other headlight options, particularly those built before December 2020, received lower ratings of “Marginal” or “Poor.”
| Trim level(s) | Low-beam headlight type | High-beam headlight type | Curve-adaptive? | High-beam assist? | Overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All trims equipped with Exterior Lighting package | LED projector | LED projector | Yes | Yes | G (Good) |
| All trims equipped with Adaptive High Beam Assist package; built after November 2020 | LED reflector | LED reflector | No | Yes | A (Acceptable) |
| All trims; built after November 2020 | LED reflector | LED reflector | No | No | A (Acceptable) |
| All trims equipped with Adaptive High Beam Assist package; built before December 2020 | LED reflector | LED reflector | No | Yes | M (Marginal) |
| All trims; built before December 2020 | LED reflector | LED reflector | No | No | P (Poor) |
It’s important for Mercedes E-Class 2021 buyers to be aware of the different headlight options and their respective safety performance. Choosing trims with the “Exterior Lighting package” ensures the best possible headlight rating.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Pedestrian
Active safety systems play a vital role in preventing accidents. The Mercedes E-Class 2021 features advanced front crash prevention systems, both for vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian scenarios.
Front Crash Prevention Systems Evaluation
The Mercedes E-Class 2021 earns a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention with both standard and optional “Active Brake Assist” systems. In pedestrian front crash prevention, the optional “Active Brake Assist with Cross Traffic Function” achieves a “Superior” rating, while the standard “Active Brake Assist” receives a “Basic” rating.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention Ratings
| System Details | Overall Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross Traffic Function (Driver Assistance package) | Superior |
| Standard Active Brake Assist | Superior |
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention Ratings
| System Details | Overall Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Optional Active Brake Assist with Cross Traffic Function (Driver Assistance package) | Superior |
| Standard Active Brake Assist | Basic |
The superior performance of the optional system in pedestrian detection highlights the benefits of choosing the Driver Assistance package for enhanced preventative safety in the Mercedes E-Class 2021.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Ease of use for child seat anchors is a practical safety consideration for families. The IIHS evaluates LATCH systems for their accessibility and usability.
Child Seat Anchor (LATCH) Evaluation Results
The Mercedes E-Class 2021 LATCH system received a “Good” overall rating. The vehicle offers two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G (Good) |
The “Good” rating signifies that the LATCH system in the Mercedes E-Class 2021 is easy to use, making child seat installation more straightforward and secure.
Conclusion: Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2021 – A Safe Choice
The Mercedes E-Class 2021 demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, as evidenced by its consistently high ratings in IIHS crash tests. Achieving “Good” ratings across most crashworthiness evaluations, along with “Superior” front crash prevention systems (especially with optional upgrades), the Mercedes E-Class 2021 stands out as a safe and luxurious vehicle choice. While headlight ratings vary, opting for the “Exterior Lighting package” ensures optimal nighttime visibility. For families, the “Good” rated LATCH system adds to the practical safety features. Overall, the Mercedes E-Class 2021 prioritizes occupant protection and accident prevention, making it a compelling option for discerning drivers.
