C-Class scores well in IIHS safety despite lights
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class joins the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Volt, Audi A4, BMW X1, and more in getting a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The German premium midsize vehicle received good ratings in all five of the IIHS crashworthiness evaluations: Small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints. The model is praised for its front crash prevention system, which comes as standard on all trim levels.
The Institute points out there is a big improvement in the challenging small overlap test over the previous generation C-Class, as the new vehicle’s structure held up well with maximum intrusion into the occupant compartment of four inches against 20 inches for the previous model.
The new C-Class scored well in the roof strength test, showing a strength-to-weight ratio of seven, among the highest ever registered. IIHS explains a ratio of four or higher is required for a good rating.
Interestingly, the car earns unexpectedly low ratings in the headlights category with the overall quality of the illuminators rated as poor. IIHS says on the straightaway at low beams, visibility is “inadequate on both sides of the road,” while on curves, “visibility was inadequate in all four tests.” The Institute tested vehicles with classic halogen reflectors and with LED projectors.
Earlier this year IIHS conducted its first-ever headlight test only to discover many modern premium vehicles have poor headlights. For example, the BMW 3 Series has the worst halogen headlights in its segment, according to the test, but the optional LED headlights significantly improve the situation.
IIHS says headlights are a major factor for safer roads, as nearly half of all traffic deaths occur at night or in low light situations.
