The 2017 and 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class crossover has received the highest honor, namely the Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This rating however depends on the crossover’s configuration.
Although the GLC-Class launched in 2015 as a 2016 model, this was the first time the IIHS had tested the vehicle. It replaced the Mercedes GLK-Class and at 50kg lighter, Mercedes says the GLC’s blend of high-strength steels and aluminum help construct, “an even more rigid passenger safety compartment.”
In all five of the IIHS crash tests, the GLC received a ‘Good’ rating and an ‘Advanced’ rating for both its standard and optional pre-collision warning and braking. The pre-collision systems in particular were able to avoid simulated crashes at 20kph and 40kph.
The GLC300 base models with halogen headlights, scored only ‘Marginal’ in the newest test for lighting, however. Models with LED head- and taillights received an ‘Acceptable’ headlight rating, while only the GLC300 fitted with the Advanced Lighting package – which includes adaptive headlights that turn when the vehicle corners – scored ‘Good’ in the test.
Source: IIHS and Motor1