Mercedes-Benz C-Class Earns Top Safety Pick+ for 2025
As the automotive industry navigates evolving safety standards, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has emerged as a frontrunner, securing the coveted Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition highlights the C-Class’s commitment to safety, showcasing its performance in various crash tests and safety feature evaluations.
IIHS AEB Test
The IIHS Award Criteria
To earn the Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must meet stringent requirements:
- Good rating in the small overlap front test.
- Good rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.
- Good rating in the updated side test.
- Good or Acceptable rating for the standard headlights.
- Good or Acceptable rating in pedestrian crash avoidance.
The C-Class’s performance in these tests has earned it the top spot, even as the IIHS has updated its testing protocols. While some vehicles that earned top marks in 2024 face new challenges with the revised criteria, the C-Class was able to meet the new standards successfully.
Key Performance Areas for the C-Class
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class earned mostly Good ratings across the board. Several specific areas demonstrate the C-Class’s safety prowess:
- Small Overlap Front: Good
- Moderate Overlap Front (Updated Test): Good
- Side (Updated Test): Good
- Headlights: Good/Acceptable (depending on trim)
- Front Crash Prevention: Good/Acceptable (depending on package)
- Seat Belt Reminders: Good
- Child Safety Anchors: Good
It’s worth noting that the headlight and crash prevention ratings depend on the specific trim and package. The Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle models equipped with the Digital Light package earned an overall Acceptable rating for headlights, while standard models earned Good ratings. Models with the Active Brake Assist and Driver Assistance package earned a Good rating for front crash prevention, avoiding collisions in almost every test.
Other Luxury Car Performances
While the C-Class takes the lead, the Genesis G90 also earned a Top Safety Pick award. For 2024, the Genesis G90 earned a Top Safety Pick+.
- Small Overlap Front: Good
- Moderate Overlap Front (Updated Test): Acceptable
- Side (Updated Test): Good
- Headlights: Acceptable
- Front Crash Prevention: Good
- Seat Belt Reminders: Good
- Child Safety Anchors: Good
Mercedes-Benz: A Legacy of Innovation
Mercedes-Benz has a long history, originating with the world’s oldest car company that began in 1885. Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. merged in June 1926 to create Daimler-Benz, a German manufacturer respected for its luxury vehicles and technological advancements. Besides the C-Class, Mercedes-Benz is known for models like the S-Class and the off-road-ready G-Class.
With these test results still fresh, and with more cars awaiting their evaluations, the rest of 2025 will continue to see more safety awards being distributed. However, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has set a high bar for the competition.
