New 2008 Mercedes-Benz R Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 64 R reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
Although the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class has not yet been tested by the federal government or insurance industry, reviewers note that the R-Class is filled with state-of-the-art safety technology, including plenty of standard air bags.
Accident Avoidance
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz R comes standard with a four-wheel Electronic Traction System, which monitors the speed of all four wheels to detect wheel slip and apply individual brakes as needed. Coupled with this system is the Electronic Stability Program, which compares the driver's intended course with the vehicle's response and helps reduce understeer and oversteer by integrating traction control, braking and steering. In addition, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class has "exemplary" visibility, says Automobile.com, citing clear views from the drivers' seat or anywhere else within the car. The R-Class also comes standard with an Antilock Braking System, Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution.
Crash Protection
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class has a full set of crash-protection systems. The Integrated Restraint System provides the driver and front passenger with an adaptive dual-stage front airbag, side-impact airbag and three-point seat belt with Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD) and adaptive belt force limiter.
Second-row passengers have a side-impact airbag and second and third row seating has three-point seat belts with ETD and belt force limiter. The R-Class even has window curtain air bags, which deploy along the front and rear affected side of the car. An Occupant Classification System automatically turns the front passenger airbag on or off based on readings from the front passenger seat weight sensor.
