2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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Safety - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class earns four out of five stars in government frontal-impact crash testing, but some of its rivals can beat that claim with five out of five. With its new dual-chamber side airbags, it does earn five of five for side-impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2009 edition of this car a "Top Safety Pick" because it earned perfect scores in Institute front- and side-impact testing, and offers standard stability control.

Mercedes equips C-Class cars with dual-stage front side airbags, which protect the torso and pelvis with separate chambers. Full-length side curtain airbags are standard.  Whiplash-preventing active front head restraints are as well. Stability control, traction control and antilock brakes with brake assist are standard, as is a brake drying system that keeps rotors dry in rainy conditions for improved braking on wet days. An available Pre-Safe system attempts to detect panic stops and responds by cinching seatbelts, priming airbags and boosting brake power.

• "Compared to the previous series, [this model] has larger deformation zones and improved energy flows. The front-end structure of the new C-Class has four independently acting impact zones, which enable forces to be distributed over a wide area around the passenger cell." -- New Car Test Drive