Found this on Autospies. NHTSA gives the E-Class 5/5 stars, but the stricter IIHS gives them a lower rating. I am confused.







Important: Side impact crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle type and weight categories.
Test details:

The Mercedes E class was re-engineered for the 2007 model year with an emphasis on improving occupant protection in side impact crashes.

Injury measures:

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries would be possible in a crash of this severity. A fracture of the pelvis also would be possible.

Rear 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 and a side airbag that deployed from the seat.

Rear 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 and a side airbag that deployed from the door.

Left to right:

* View of the vehicle and barrier just after the crash test. Larger photo
* View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment. Larger photo
* Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags. Larger photo
* Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy's head was protected by the side airbags. Larger photo

Additional features:

* Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags, front seat-mounted torso airbags, and rear door-mounted torso airbags
* Rollover sensor: designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover
* Automatically adjusting head restraints in front seats move up or down as seats are adjusted forward or rearward
* Electronic stability control
* Antilock brakes
* Programmable daytime running lights

Tested vehicle specifications:

* 2007 Mercedes E 350 4dr
* Class: Large luxury car
* Weight: 3,820 lbs.
* Side airbags: standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted and rear door-mounted torso airbags
* Wheelbase: 112 in.
* Length: 191 in.
* Width: 72 in.
* Engine: 3.5 L V6
* EPA ratings: 19 mpg city | 26 mpg highway


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i am a bit confused by their rating as well, according to their site, the Kia Sedona MPV offers better side impact protection than the Eclass, and it is better than the E for frontal impact, but according to the testing methods applied by ENCAP, the E offers better frontal impact protection than the Kia. I guess this is just the case of different testing and measurement taking method, and the different scoring system they have. If you have some time you can read through the technical details of how IIHS perform their side impact tests. - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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I am surprised by the results from IIHS as well, cause when i sit inside the E-class it feels so solid and bomb proof, and the B pillars are significantly thicker than cars like the Subaru Legecy, which receives better side impact protection rating

Will have a look at those links later, I have to run now (dog needs a walk).

Still baffling how one agency ranks the E-Class as high and this one as low...weird...really weird...

Don't worry, no matter the outcome of whatever simplified testing methadology these institutions apply, the E-class is still one of the safest cars in the world. MB builds cars for real world crashworthiness.

I was thinking they used an M1 Abrams tank against the E-Class. In that case, a rating of "acceptable" is pretty good.