Mercedes-Benz EQE scores top safety marks

ANCAP has awarded the new Mercedes-Benz EQE electric vehicle a five-star safety rating, making it the second battery electric model in the Large Car segment to be rated by the safety body and one of 60 BEV and alternative-powered models rated by ANCAP to date across the Australian and New Zealand market.

The battery-powered model was awarded high scores for the crash protection offered to vehicle occupants.

Assessed against ANCAP’s 2020-2022 protocols, the EQE achieve the second highest score to date for Adult Occupant Protection (95%) and equalled the second highest score set for Child Occupant Protection (92%). Vulnerable Road User Protection and Safety Assist scores were lower at 83 and 82 per cent respectively.

The five-star rating applies to EQE 300 and EQE 350 4Matic sedans with ANCAP noting the duo’s full suite of airbags – including a driver’s knee airbag and centre airbag, and head and chest protecting airbags in both seating rows.

ANCAP noted Good protection for the head of both front seat occupants and for the prevention of excursion (movement towards the other side of the vehicle) in the far side impact test. The EQE scored an Adequate result in the vehicle-to-pole scenario.

It noted further that the passenger compartment of the EQE remained stable in the frontal offset (MPDB) test, stating that protection of the driver’s chest and legs was Adequate, with Good protection afforded to all other body regions. Protection of the front passenger dummy was rated as Good for all critical body regions.

However, the front structure of the EQE was said to present a moderate risk to occupants of an oncoming vehicle in the MPDB test (which evaluates vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility), and a 1.83-point penalty was applied.

In the full width frontal test, protection was marked as Adequate for the chest of both driver and the rear passenger, while Good protection was offered for all other critical body regions. In the side impact and oblique pole test, protection offered to all critical body regions was listed as Good, the EQE scoring maximum points in these tests.

For Child Occupants, and in the frontal offset and side impact tests, ANCAP noted protection of the six- and 10-year-old dummies as Good with maximum points scored. The Mercedes-Benz EQE is fitted with lower ISOFIX anchorages on the rear outboard seats and top-tether anchorages for all three rear seating positions.

In the Vulnerable Road User portion of testing, the EQE offered a mix of Good, Adequate and Poor results depending on the location where a pedestrian dummy stuck the car.

The EQE is fitted as standard with an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system capable of recognising and reacting to pedestrians, with ANCAP noting the system shows Good performance in pedestrian test scenarios, including for AEB Backover where full marks were applied. Good performance was also seen in cyclist test scenarios.

Finally, and in the Safety Assist area of testing, the EQE was further praised for the ability of its AEB system to function satisfactorily at highway speeds, and for the standard fitment of a lane support system with lane keep assist and emergency lane keeping functionality, and a blind spot monitoring system.

ANCAP said tests of the EQE’s AEB system showed Good performance with collisions avoided or mitigated in most test scenarios, including at intersections. Tests of the lane support functionality showed Good performance in lane keep assist scenarios and Adequate performance in more critical emergency lane keeping scenarios.

“Continuing the marque’s safe and green credentials, the Mercedes-Benz EQE offers another safe and green option,” said ANCAP chief executive, Carla Hoorweg.