Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Earns Top Safety Award

The 2016 model-year Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, a mid-size luxury SUV, has garnered a “superior” rating for front crash prevention and qualified for the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

An “advanced”-rated front crash prevention system comes standard on the GLE-Class. When equipped with an additional, optional system called Pre-Safe Brake, the rating rises to “superior,” IIHS said.

When equipped with the standard system alone, the GLE-Class avoided a collision in the 12 mph IIHS track test. In the 25 mph test, the impact speed was reduced by 12 mph. With the addition of Pre-Safe Brake, the vehicle slowed by an average of 24 mph in the 25 mph test, IIHS noted.

The optional system also includes a forward collision warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.

The GLE-Class earned the highest rating of “good” in the IIHS small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests.

To qualify for Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must earn “good” ratings in all five crashworthiness tests and have an available front crash prevention system that earns an “advanced” or “superior” rating.