Mercedes-Benz GLE Euro NCAP crash test

5 stars. Overall excellent performance in crash protection and well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash avoidance technology

The passenger compartment of the GLE remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger. Mercedes-Benz showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions. In the full-width rigid barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was good for the driver and at least adequate for the rear passenger. In the side barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was good and the car scored full points in this test. In the more severe side pole impact, dummy readings of chest compression indicated marginal protection of this body region, with other critical body areas being well protected. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection. The standard-fit autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system performed well in tests of its functionality at the low speeds at which many whiplash injuries occur.

In the frontal test, protection of all critical body areas was good for both dummies, apart from the neck of the 10 year dummy, protection of which was marginal. In the side barrier impact, all critical body areas were well protected for both dummies and the GLE scored maximum points in this part of the assessment. The front passenger airbag is automatically disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. Mercedes-Benz showed that the system worked robustly and the system was rewarded. All of the restraint types for which the GLE is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.

The bonnet provided good or adequate protection to the head of a struck pedestrian over almost the entire surface. The bumper provided good protection to pedestrians' legs but protection of the pelvis was mixed, with areas of good and poor protection. The GLE's AEB system can detect vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists, as well as other vehicles. In tests of the system's response to pedestrians, performance was good and, in tests of cyclist detection, the GLE scored maximum points.

The GLE has a seatbelt reminder system for the front and rear seats. The AEB system performed well in tests of its response to other vehicles at highway speeds. A camera-based speed assistance system identifies the local speed limit and presents the information to the driver who can then easily set the limiter to the appropriate speed. A lane support system helps to prevent inadvertent drifting out of lane and also intervenes more aggressively in some critical situations.