Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate Vs. Ford Explorer IIHS-Style Side Impact

[halfwit134]

@TheEuroperules I don't understand, obviously the ford was damaged in the front.. A few years ago, my mother was driving home from a friends house at about 10:00 p.m., while crossing an intersection she was hit on the driver side at about 40 MPH by a drunk driver, she was driving her summer car a 2001 E420, she walked away with a fractured elbow, the paramedics said if she wasn't driving that car, she would have died. Soon after she replaced it with a 2006 E420. You say Mercedes is over-priced.

[buntoro8]

the dummies in the ford hit the steering wheel.... that would hurt

[liliceman78]

This test is not very accurate at all in today's world. The is like a 1999 Mercedes. Rerun this crash with a 2012 Mercedes and a 2012 Explorer and I bet it would be a much better outcome.

[Johans60]

Very disapointing of the mercedes the airbags are doesn't seem to helpat all

[TheEuroperules]

USA > germany . USA POWA overpriced NAZIS !!!! LOL

[jeepers2655]

Fact is there are MORE SUV`s and Mini Vans around here than Cars. so this IS a likely scenario.

[MrIfuckpuss]

Guess who won this one...F.O.R.D!

[TheSlenderFan]

LOL, the airbags didn't even go off in the explorer

[yellowmusicfreak]

explorer>Mercedes

[brndo115]

This test just doesnt seem fair. First; it's an SUV vs a midsize car. Second; we have the strongest part of the Explorer impacting the weakest part of the Benz (the passenger windows). The curtain airbags on the Merc didnt perform too well (what do you expect? This was one of the first cars to actually offer them) but it is still a safe car with a very soild & rigid structure and this flawed test does nothing to disprove that. Next time crash a Taurus into the E320

[S55OAMG]

@brndo115 FAIR you got to be joking me you can wreck into any one like a SUV life isn't fair

[brndo115]

@S55OAMG , I was talking in terms of comparison purposes. Obviously any two types of cars can be involved in a real life accident. But If you're conducting a controlled experiment to test the safety of a car, the other car crashing into it should be the same size and weight. Next time why dont we just crash an 18 wheeler mack truck into a small car? It's a pointless, unfair test

[S55OAMG]

@brndo115 good point yet they should do more crash tests like that 18 wheeler is more likely to wreck into a small car then a wagon

[the454engine2009]

@brndo115 Hahahaha what do you mean "Unfair"? This test is simulating what would happen if a Ford Explorer hit a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate on the side, so what is "unfair" about that? The truth and reality is somehow unfair to you? This is what would happen if a Ford Explorer was driving in a city one day and runs a red light, hits a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate on its side and thats that!

[brndo115]

@the454engine2009 , The test was created to simulate the passive safety of the Mercedes. Crashing a taller, larger, much heavier SUV into an E-class is pointless, proves nothing, and isnt a fair demonstration. Why not crash a cruise ship liner into the Merc next time and see what happens? A FAIR demonstration would put two EQUAL size cars against one another. That's that!

[halocop159]

Ford buit tuff!!!

[lolle222]

Mercedes is known for decades to be a pioneer in passive safety. The result of the crash test is rather the fact that American cars are not optimized for front crashes. The Ford Explorer has no crumple zone. And 215alessio you should first learn English.

[geterdonein01]

@lolle222 It has plenty of a crumple zone. The side of the Merc is so weak that it crumpled into the center of the car scrubbed off all the force of the crash. In fact, the force on the Explorer was so little it wasn't even enough to deploy the airbags. This here is why side structures are much beefier these days.

[tomyloveu]

this is called natural crash test coz many other test they do is hit on polls on A pillar or floor plan this is real test and it shows what happen in real world

[215alessio]

mercedes is knowed to be the weakest european car in the sides

[Pikansokamikaze]

SUV to tall.

[RandomStupidStuff99]

I used to have a mercedes like this 10 years ago then traded it for a ford then got another mercedes and it's this one :o

[MrTylerjames800]

half of the ford's in the world are still on the road today the other 3 made it home. :)

[scott14705]

built ford tough

[lukedm5]

The real issue here, is that this video is a great example of why SUVs should not be on the road. Their height and design makes them incompatible with other, sensible vehicles.

[halflife103]

@lukedm5 Yeah, okay then buddy. Not much different than a pickup truck.

[Turbo2012Sonata]

@lukedm5 Newer car's have much much safer side structures and airbag systems. This is just a classic example of a weak side structure and poor performing airbag system.

[Skitter302]

You could still drive the Ford home.

[sddragon28]

Wow I know the merc is suppose to be a tough car, but id never expect an explorer to take a hit like that and look that good afterwards O.O

[coolgames14]

@sddragon28 volvo :)

[sddragon28]

@coolgames14 yea a volvo would have fared better then both vehicles. those things are solid as fack.

[pogoboy123]

we used to have the mercedes.................

[TheSoilemezidis]

ford are the worst cars

[jaffacake1578]

the airbag did not even have to deploy in the explorer, as the accident wasnt bad enough for it to sense a severe crash. dear chevy fans: PROOF THAT FORD IS BUILT TOUGH...

[v007sandy]

Explorer vs Explorer v=ueD1rxIT7YY

[romoguy93]

the Mercedes is also really heavy so the Explorer as the chance to really dig into it before the Benz even moved

[razorphx]

volvo baby!!!

[CALLWILLIE100]

that bad

[chart427]

SHAME ON YOU MERCEDES!

[TheONEWELL]

That is bad. Im not gonna lie. Mercedes benz cars of pre 2000 where, one of the worst for actual safety scores. One of the highest i think was Vauxhall? They were all bad but Mercedes were considerably bad considering their price and rave about how safe they were. They are one of the leaders now, but not by a long shot. They've all caught up with one and other.

[tiggetigge]

@TheONEWELL Volvo was the best in safety

[abdulkalef]

whith this hit ill by dead in a MERCEDES BENZ jaja

[LadyGaGaGeek]

Explorer: Crap did i hit a bush?

[TriumphBiker1980]

take a 2011 e-class and do the same...

this is the late 90s modell...

[J0J0McM0M0]

I wanna see that a Mercedes GL rams such a crappy Ford !

[SteelCity1981]

Total Failure with the side curtain airbag on the Benz. The dummy driver's head didn't even touch the curtain airbag.

[cohibart]

I see now all that Mercedes safety hype is total bs

[Annihilator1111]

the 1995–2001 1995–2001 for Sport Ford Explorer was assembled in

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Valencia, Venezuela

the 1995-2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was assembled in

Sindelfingen, Germany

Bremen, Germany

6th of October City, Egypt

[NicholasTheKeyHolder]

Why do some people think that suvs should be made smaller and safer to other cars? There should be no federal regulation on vehicles. If the IIHS still crash tests them in the future then people can go onto the website and pick their vehicle and others that don't care can die in a crash and that is their choice. Personally I like suvs because they have an advantage being heavier and physics has everything to do with crashes.

[FREEZOify]

The ford hit the mercedes at its absolute weakest part, the fords height played a major role in the damage of the e class as it hit the merc just above its very solid body frame.

[tiggetigge]

haha the Ford didnt even have a crumpled hood or loose bumber and the merc got SIDEFUCKED!

[TheSlenderFan]

@tiggetigge look closer... you can see that the explorer had a slightly crumpled hood

[tiggetigge]

@TheSlenderFan probably still driveable, atleast for a while :P

[halfwit134]

@tiggetigge The side of any vehicle is ALOT weaker and less likely to with stand an impact, rather than in the front, or rear. I bet the ford did not have side airbags though, unlike the Mercedes.

[jonharington1]

@halfwit134 i have a 98 exploder with side impact bags

[TheEuroperules]

@halfwit134 It doesnt need them.The ford is untouched unlike the overpirced mercedez.

[mironlang]

@tiggetigge hehehe it is true that FORD IS BUILT TOUGH

[womekklol]

@tiggetigge

Make Merc more higher and let it drive into Ford and see what would happend

[zcheeseolly]

I'd rather be in the Mercedes - at least you'd have died in style.

[legioner9]

Look at 0:35-0:37 how low the driver sits, there is a full 15 inches or more up to the roof .... and look also at 0:39-0:41 again how low the driver sits ,he barrely rises over the steering wheel....

[LoveTheCity123]

They should really try this with the new C-class .. The old C-class (which was the one in the video) did not do good in crashes and wasn't really that safe .. Now the brand new ones are extremely safe in side, frontal, and rollover crashes.

[M23ESS]

@LoveTheCity123

this is not the C class This is the E class its even stated in the video. but i do agree with the new ones both C and E class being safe

[SteelCity1981]

Curtain airbag didn't deploy down enough and it was too late.

[SMB67T]

btw, the Ford Explorer have no airbags, and the driver hits the steering wheel..

[frohman3]

@SMB67T It actually does, but the airbag didn't deploy. The sensor didn't detect the impact.

[SMB67T]

@frohman3

yes, that's why I said that it's dangerous.

[frohman3]

@SMB67T I thought you said that it didn't have airbags installed.

[SMB67T]

@frohman3

only for this crash test... LOL

[frohman3]

@SMB67T They just didn't go off.

[SMB67T]

@frohman3 :)

[halflife103]

@SMB67T i have a 94 with driver airbags.

[SMB67T]

@halflife103

I say in this crash test, there's no airbag . I know that there's airbag in other Ford Explorers.

[CarPro1993]

@SMB67T

The Explorer had dual airbags, the impact just wasn't severe enough to cause them to deploy.

[halflife103]

@CarPro1993 ooh

[geterdonein01]

Im sure the crash testers drove the Ford to get some burgers from McDonald's after they cleaned up the Mercedes.

[VoiTuboUser]

The reasons it performs poorly is because it's just an old design. Don't blame SUV :P

[saturnwing]

Mercedes-Benz cars and the other's just like a side crash IMPACT

[LoveTheCity123]

I want to see them try this with a new C class .. I bet that that new C class wouldn't even have a dent in it ..

[MSNIMSM]

Shit you could drive the Ford home after that. lol

[compu85]

That explorer was probably going 45 mph. It also looks like very small dummies were used in both vehicles.

[coolakiIlen007]

only americans would build SUVs that are dangerous for other people.. glad i dont live in USA!

[atlantaboy1122]

@coolakiIlen007 fuck off

[ajp9478]

@coolakiIlen007 I'm glad you don't live here too. When it comes to my family's safety on the road, I don't give a damn about anyone else. That's why I drive this style Explorer. I'd rather kill 1000 morons than risk a scratch on my son. By the way, If America sucks, why do all other countries cry to us for help every time there is a crisis?

[coolakiIlen007]

@ajp9478 sure i havent.. wow your real selfish! you know if everyone would drive reasonable well engineered cars (not american lethal shit) no one would have to die by crashing a 50ton truck of family vehicle that costs billion dollars to put gas in. greetz and good luck killing innocent people :)

[wasserbeatle]

@ajp9478 Believe me, ONLY the USA has the opinion ALL OTHER COUNTRIES cry to you. maybe that's the reason why so many people hate the US...

[matador90650]

no airbag deployment in the explorer? were they disconnected, or just didnt go off?

[Planeguy13]

@matador90650 The forces on the Explorer probably weren't high enough to deploy the airbags. In order for the airbags to deploy there needs to be a force greater than or equivalent to the car hitting a solid wall at approximately 15mph.

[frohman3]

It's a good thing that volvo has made the bumper rail lower on their XC90 SUV, along with the BMW and mercedes suvs.

[karkraz]

@frohman3 And Ford!

[frohman3]

@karkraz Oh yeah, they did that too. 

[assailant85]

@frohman3 if only american cars wouldn't be so egoistic tanks!

[assailant85]

lots of people would think "I'm gonna buy an SUV because of that. " What they don't think of: if they are guilty for the accident, they have far more consequences than if the other driver has a chance to survive the accident!

[frohman3]

@assailant85 I don't think you understand what I said. The bumper rail is lower so it's more compatible with a lower car, so you don't have it going over the smaller car. 

[assailant85]

@frohman3 yes, I know what you were saying :) There's another test with the volvo SUV here on youtube that proves that it doesn'T change a lot though. search for Crash Test ADAC VW Golf V MkV Vs Volvo XC90 Offset Test (Impolite) .Big car vs. Small car is death. And I think lots of people drive SUVs because of this exact reason.

[Krycek2008]

These SUVs should be outlawed! Just kidding, I love them... but I only drive roadsters.

[Vulcan621]

Reason Mercedes took such a hard hit is the SUV is too high and therefore avoided the mercedes very solid and heavy frame. Even a cheap Ford Explorer or any mid size SUV would have done the same. SUV's can kill easily because their height circumvents the frame from being able to stop any deep intrusion into the passenger compartment . Mercedes quality is unsurpassed and this crash test has more to do with physics than anything else.

[holamellamopiter]

@Vulcan621 comoo??? los mercedes de ese año son de mantequilla. que escusas le pones a este video?? busca el video iihs crash test mercedes E class y veras que duro es jajaja.

se hace pedazos igualmente. cojo yo el ford explorer y me choco contra una mercedes ml y la destrozo.

[PIchillin456]

@Vulcan621 I don't really know whether or not Mercedes had these at this point but my 2007 VW Jetta has these anti-intrusion side-door beams located towards the center of the door that earned the car a 5-stars side impact rating in the U.S.. Because of those beams as of 2005 the MK5 Jetta's side-impact performance was the best that NHTSA had ever tested. Physics does have a lot to do with it but there are things that make even an impact with a full-sized SUV survivable.

[halflife103]

@Vulcan621 Any vehicle can kill.

[lonespartan31289]

@Vulcan621 this is why on the new suvs that ford makes the front bumper and frame come down so they impact like a car, this is also why the super duty front end is so huge, the crash rails and frame are almost on level with a car so they wont kill people as often in crashes, people are doing a lot more for safety these days

[TheKing0fHalo]

@Vulcan621 I can see the quality very clearly, not -.- I'd rather be in the "cheap" explorer than in that overpriced coffin. I'm a very responsible driver, but if some idiot causes me to hit him, he's going to get the consequences that result from my elevated frame and grille guard. I'm not lowering my vehicle to save idiot people who shouldn't be operating a car in the first place.

[KillanatorVids]

@TheKing0fHalo you don't need to lower the car, it's the manufacturers that has to make the bumpers lower. An example is the Volvo XC90. It has a tall ride height, and a low bumper, so that its not as dangerous to other people.

And another thing, old SUVs like the Ford Explorer might be safer for you in a car to car crash, but not in crashes like rollovers or crashing into a non-movable object, because it doesent crumple the same way as cars

[TheKing0fHalo]

@KillanatorVids The 3rd gen's have advance-trac aka ESC, it goes all the way back to 01. It's VERY hard to roll one over when it's equipped with the system. I've seen it personally. Also, lowering the bumper isn't an option for a lot of people that use their vehicles off road and the gov. has a very limited right to impose rules on vehicle designs IMO. Next thing you know they're going to make SUV's illegal.

[crashtest2302]

@Vulcan621 You are correct, i had a merc. save my life once, although i was hit by a little toyota, not a big american SUV

[marcvie9]

@Vulcan621 this is not about merc quality it's about the safety, the cheap little side airbag of merc did nothing to the passengers and the driver, the driver would be in coma for whole his life and the child dead

[CerealKiller745]

@Vulcan621 Even though, i expectet more from a Mercedes... =/

[ziphead0412]

@Vulcan621 Absolutely. Even though the Ford SUV did some serious damage, it looks like the door and B-Pillar provide enough support that, while the occupants might be injured, they probably would survive. Good job Merc, and to BMW as well for building superb cars.

[DaveTube24]

@Vulcan621 well the accord did better maybe lower speeds on the accord

[TheJoePepper]

@Vulcan621 Exactly. This is a relatively ignored problem; bumper height mismatch. Cars can only be so safe and still be driveable and get acceptable mpg. It has to be up to the makers of trucks and SUV's to make their bumper heights as compatible with an 'average' car as possible.

[ATLZero]

@Vulcan621 The Mercedes doesn't have a frame- NO modern car does. It is UNIBODY. Mercedes quality isn't unsurpassed. I suggest you review some of the IIHS crash test of the E-Class; 1997-2000 didn't hold up to well in crash test, in comparison a less expensive OLDER 1993 Volvo 850 out performed Mercedes. Modern Mercedes are NOT known for being reliable - ask a Mercedes owner.

[romoguy93]

@ATLZero my E320 is reliable.. the only thing it asks for is oil changes and gas.. although the only thing that doesnt work is the rear windows and the cat. converters started to rattle but I straightpiped a pair (I have 4 of them!) but other than that, its been very reliable to me and couldnt ask for more out of the car

[romoguy93]

@ATLZero btw, i owned an 850 t5 and loved it and although the body panels were tank solid, it was light and if i were to choose which car to have a crash in, i would choose the E320.. it feels very solid and I feel very safe in it

[Carfreak1177]

The newer style E-class would do MUCH better. This gen. E-class was a death trap if you ask me look at the frontal crash test

[Mcmerc01]

@Carfreak1177 the E class in that video was the 97 series, it was changed 3 months after the crash test was conducted. IT then received a rating of 5 instead of 3 at the time

[ajp9478]

Ford looks like it could be driven away!! Very disappointed in the Benz. I thought they were much safer.

[2000jeepsahara]

@ajp9478 t bone the ford with the benz it will flip and be totaled it all matters where you hit the other vehicle.

[TestECull]

@2000jeepsahara The Explorer driver would at least survive to buy another explorer.

[smartass1smartass1]

@TestECull

that is why I have 2 already.. :-)

[SMB67T]

@ajp9478

You should not disappointed. Mercedes is always the first in safety. If you think this is disappointing, other cars will be the same, or maybe worser.

[fitz207]

In real world crashes SUV's do better. Truck based SUV's have very tough frames built for towing and hauling heavy loads They can do a lot damage to a smaller and lighter cars, as seen in this video.

[ford2219]

OMG! the driver on the Mercedes i think it died and i think the dummy dosent work anymore!

[tenta20]

They should have crashed the Merc into the Explorer. Results would have been so much worse.

[Planeguy13]

If the driver of the Mercedes were a person he/she would probably be dead... The dummy's head went right past the side curtain airbag and hit the front of the Explorer...

[4MATICbenz]

The rear seat baby passenger in the Mercedes looked fine, probably totally unharmed.

I think the reason the driver looked much more affected by the intursion of the SUV is mainly b/c the driver seat is moved all the way up as close to the steering wheel as possible. I own this very vehicle, and my seat backs are usually aligned with the B-pillar. Had the driver's seat been moved back, the B-pillar would have atleats reduced some harm to the driver dummy

[whattheheck1000]

Driver dummy in Merc seriously injured.

[TommyV246]

The Audi was hit a little bit diffrent..

[i930010]

what speed is this test at?

[TommyV246]

about 31mph

[i930010]

if that speed makes this test analogous to current IIHS tests, then cars have improved quite a bit in the past decade.