ood

cceptable

arginal

oor

For best printing results turn on "Print background colors and images" in your browser settings.

2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Midsize luxury car

Print full report for this vehicle

Crashworthiness

Small overlap front
Driver-side

G
Passenger-side
Moderate overlap front

G
Side

G
Roof strength

G
Head restraints & seats

G

Crash avoidance & Mitigation

Front crash prevention

Superior

with optional
equipment

Headlights

Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
ease of use

Check for NHTSA recalls

Multimedia
Other model years
Small overlap front:
Driver-side
Moderate overlap front
Side
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats
Power leather seat
Front crash prevention
With Collision Prevention Assist Plus
Headlights
Child seat anchors (LATCH)
ease of use

C 300 — leather seats
Other safety features

The photos and videos shown here may be of a different model, model year or body type from the one selected. The ratings of one vehicle often apply to other models if they are built on the same platform. In addition, a test of a vehicle from one model year may apply to earlier or later model years if the vehicle hasn't been significantly redesigned.

Photos
Video

2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class driver-side small overlap test
Applies to 2015-19 models

Model year	Small overlap front		Moderate overlap front	Side	Roof strength	Head restraints & seats	Front crash prevention	Headlights	LATCH ease of use
Model year	Driver	Passenger	Moderate overlap front	Side	Roof strength	Head restraints & seats	Front crash prevention	Headlights	LATCH ease of use
2019	G	G	G	G	G	G	Superior	G	G
2018	G		G	G	G	G	Superior	P	G
2017	G		G	G	G	G	Superior	P	G
2016	G		G	G	G	G	Superior	P	G
2015	G		G	G	G	G	Superior		G
2014	M		G	G	G	G	Superior
2013	M		G	G	G	G	Superior
2012	P		G	G	G	G
2011	P		G	G	G	G
2010	P		G	G	G	G
2009			G	G	G	G
2008			G		G	G
2007			G	A		A
2006			G	A		A
2005			G	A		M
2004			G			M
2003			G
2002			G
2001			G

Test details
Technical measurements

Applies to 2015-19 models

Structure and safety cage	G
Overall evaluation	G
Injury measures
Head/neck	G
Chest	G
Hip/thigh	G
Lower leg/foot	G
Restraints and dummy kinematics	A
Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2015 model year.

Structure

The driver space was maintained well, with maximum intrusion of the lower interior of 10 cm at the footrest. Upper interior intrusion measured 4 cm at the upper hinge pillar and instrument panel.

Injury measures

Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Restraints and dummy kinematics

The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but rolled to the left because the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the head and torso. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle	2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door
Weight	3,505 lbs.
Side airbags	front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase	112 in.
Length	184 in.
Width	71 in.
Engine	2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder
EPA ratings	25 mpg city / 34 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	CEN1634
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Footrest (cm)	10
Left toepan (cm)	5
Brake pedal (cm)	8
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	4
Lower instrument panel (cm)	4

Driver injury measures

Test ID	CEN1634
Head
HIC-15	161
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	5
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	21
Femur (kN)
Left	1.2
Right	1.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	3
Right	5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.50
Right	0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.8
Right	2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	80
Right	73

Test details
Technical measurements

Applies to 2015-19 models

Structure and safety cage	G
Overall evaluation	G
Injury measures
Head/neck	G
Chest	G
Leg/foot, left	G
Leg/foot, right	G
Restraints and dummy kinematics	G
Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mercedes-Benz as part of frontal crash test verification.

Injury measures

Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity. Head acceleration from the roof rail hit was low.

Restraints and dummy kinematics

Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the roof rail.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle	2015 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door 4wd
Weight	3,483 lbs.
Side airbags	front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase	112 in.
Length	185 in.
Width	71 in.
Engine	2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder
EPA ratings	24 mpg city / 31 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

Measures of occcupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	VTF1415
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	1
Left (cm)	1
Center (cm)	1
Right (cm)	1
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	3
Rearward (cm)	-7
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Driver injury measures

Test ID	VTF1415
Head
HIC-15	148
Peak gs at hard contact	16
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	22
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.6
Femur force - right (kN)	1.3
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	2
Maximum tibia index - left	0.40
Maximum tibia index - right	0.31
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.3
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	36
Right	53

Test details
Technical measurements

Applies to 2015-19 models

Structure and safety cage	G
Overall evaluation	G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck	G
Torso	G
Pelvis/leg	G
Head protection	G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck	G
Torso	G
Pelvis/leg	G
Head protection	G
Side crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Mercedes-Benz as part of side crash test verification.

Injury measures

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Head protection

Driver — The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Passenger — The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Tested vehicle specifications

Tested vehicle	2015 Mercedes-Benz C 400 4-door 4wd
Weight	3,801 lbs.
Side airbags	standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags
Wheelbase	112 in.
Length	185 in.
Width	71 in.
Engine	3.0 L turbocharged V6
EPA ratings	21 mpg city / 29 mpg highway

How this test is conducted

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	VTS1417
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.	-20.5

Driver injury measures

Test ID	VTS1417
Head HIC-15	228
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Compression (kN)	0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	40
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	35
Average deflection (mm)	32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.56
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.51
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.4
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.2
Combined force (kN)	3.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.4
L-M moment (Nm)	36
A-P moment (Nm)	74

Passenger injury measures

Test ID	VTS1417
Head HIC-15	225
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	34
Lateral force (kN)	1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	22
Average deflection (mm)	18
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	1.94
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.19
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.4
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.0
Combined force (kN)	4.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.5
L-M moment (Nm)	33
A-P moment (Nm)	51

Test details

Applies to 2015-19 models

Overall evaluation	G
Curb weight	3,522 lbs
Peak force	24,642 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	7.00
Tested vehicle	2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4-door
Roof strength test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories.

In the test, the strength of the roof is determined by pushing a metal plate against one side of it at a slow but constant speed. The force applied relative to the vehicle's weight is known as the strength-to-weight ratio. This graph shows how the ratio varied as the test of this vehicle progressed. The peak strength-to-weight ratio recorded at any time before the roof is crushed 5 inches is the key measurement of roof strength.

A good rating requires a strength-to-weight ratio of at least 4. In other words, the roof must withstand a force of at least 4 times the vehicle's weight before the plate crushes the roof by 5 inches. For an acceptable rating, the minimum required strength-to-weight ratio is 3.25. For a marginal rating, it is 2.5. Anything lower than that is poor.

How this test is conducted

Test details
Technical measurements

Applies to 2015-19 models

Dynamic rating	G
Overall evaluation	G
Seat/head restraint geometry	G
Important: Ratings for head restraints & seats should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Seat type

Power leather seat

How this test is conducted

Geometry
Seat type	Power leather seat
Backset (mm)	38
Distance below top of head (mm)	-14
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	16.1
Head contact time (ms)	57
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	21
Max neck tension (N)	464

Details

Applies to 2015-16 models

System details

Optional Pre-Safe Brake
Standard Collision Prevention Assist Plus

Package name

Optional Driver Assistance Package

Overall evaluation

Superior

with optional
equipment

6 points total

Forward collision warning

This system meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's criteria for forward collision warning.

1 point

Low-speed autobrake

In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

2 points

High-speed autobrake

In the 25 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

3 points

How this rating is determined

Details

Applies to 2015-16 models

System details

Standard Collision Prevention Assist Plus

Overall evaluation

Advanced

4 points total

Forward collision warning

This system does not meet the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's criteria for forward collision warning.

0 points

Low-speed autobrake

In the 12 mph IIHS test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

2 points

High-speed autobrake

In the 25 mph IIHS test, impact speed was reduced by 14 mph.

2 points

How this rating is determined

Test details
Technical measurements

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available for this vehicle.

Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
Trim level(s)	C 300 trim equipped with Lighting package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
Automatically switches between low beams and high beams (high-beam assist)?	Yes
Overall rating	P

Low beams

On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate 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 fair on the gradual left and gradual right curves and inadequate on the sharp left and sharp right curves.

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

How this test is conducted

Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
Trim level(s)	C 300 trim equipped with Premium 2 package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
Automatically switches between low beams and high beams (high-beam assist)?	No
Overall rating	P

Low beams

On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp right curve and inadequate on the gradual right and both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams

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

How this test is conducted

Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
Trim level(s)	C 300 trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
Automatically switches between low beams and high beams (high-beam assist)?	No
Overall rating	P

Low beams

On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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 inadequate in all 4 tests.

How this test is conducted

Trim level(s)	C 300 trim equipped with 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 2016-17 models	P

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	75.1 m	10.7 %
Straightaway left edge	32.2 m	10.7 %
250m radius right curve, right edge	52.8 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	32.7 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	44.8 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	38.0 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	172.4 m
Straightaway left edge	141.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	68.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	70.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	50.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	54.9 m

Trim level(s)	C 300 trim equipped with Premium 2 package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2016-18 models	P

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	86.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	37.9 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	50.1 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	38.1 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	45.6 m	None
150m radius left curve, right edge	37.8 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	136.9 m
Straightaway left edge	100.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	63.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	57.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	54.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	47.4 m

Trim level(s)	C 300 trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2016-18 models	P

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	47.2 m	None
Straightaway left edge	20.2 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	44.2 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	25.9 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	32.2 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	25.0 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	156.0 m
Straightaway left edge	136.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	57.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	54.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	40.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	41.5 m

Details
Technical measurements

Applies to 2015-19 models

How this rating is determined

Overall evaluation

Vehicle trim	C 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.

	Good
	Acceptable
	Marginal
	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
	Tether anchor
	Lower anchors
	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

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

Seat position 21

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	3
Clearance angle (degrees)	69
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	2
Clearance angle (degrees)	61
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No

Seat position 22

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

Seat position 23

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	4
Clearance angle (degrees)	56
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	5
Clearance angle (degrees)	70
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No

1	Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags (standard); rear seat-mounted torso airbags (optional)
2	Rollover sensor: designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover
3	Driver knee airbag: a separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes
4	Electronic stability control
5	Antilock brakes
6	Programmable daytime running lights

2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Print full report for this vehicle

Applies to 2015-19 models

Structure

Injury measures

Restraints and dummy kinematics

Tested vehicle specifications

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Driver injury measures

Applies to 2015-19 models

Injury measures

Restraints and dummy kinematics

Tested vehicle specifications

Measures of occcupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Driver injury measures

Applies to 2015-19 models

Injury measures

Head protection

Tested vehicle specifications

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Driver injury measures

Passenger injury measures

Applies to 2015-19 models

Applies to 2015-19 models

Seat type

Applies to 2015-16 models

System details

Package name

Overall evaluation

Forward collision warning

Low-speed autobrake

High-speed autobrake

Applies to 2015-16 models

System details

Overall evaluation

Forward collision warning

Low-speed autobrake

High-speed autobrake

Low beams

High beams

Low beams

High beams

Low beams

High beams

Applies to 2015-19 models

Overall evaluation

Details by seating position

Seat position 21

Seat position 22

Seat position 23

©1996-2019, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, 501(c)(3) organizations | Copyright information and privacy policy | Help page