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2008 Mercedes-Benz R Class Safety Review

November 5, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

No data available
NHTSA

No data available
IIHS

side curtain airbags protect occupants
Cars.com

all R-Class models are outfitted with stability control
Edmunds

a nest of headrests impairs the rearward view
Cars.com

Like most Mercedes vehicles reviewed by TheCarConnection.com and other automotive sites, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class offers superior levels of safety gear.

Cars.com reports several standard active Mercedes-Benz R-Class safety devices, including "side curtain airbags protect occupants in all three rows of seats, and door-mounted side-impact airbags for front occupants." Edmunds adds that all Mercedes-Benz R-Class models are "outfitted with stability control with a rollover sensor, antilock disc brakes with brake assist, active front head restraints, side-impact airbags for front and second-row passengers, and side curtain airbags for all three rows."

However, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has crash-tested the vehicle.

Cars.com expresses some concern over Mercedes-Benz R-Class visibility issues: "a nest of headrests impairs the rearward view, which is otherwise OK and helped by ample mirrors...reflections are evident in the steep windshield, but they're not too distracting." Edmunds, on the other hand, reports that the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class' "steeply raked windshield affords excellent sight lines."

Conclusion

If safety is a priority, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is a good choice, though a final verdict awaits crash-test results.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:No data availableNHTSANo data availableIIHSside curtain airbags protect occupantsCars.comall R-Class models are outfitted with stability controlEdmundsa nest of headrests impairs the rearward viewCars.com Like most Mercedes vehicles reviewed by TheCarConnection.com and other automotive sites, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class offers superior levels of safety gear. Cars.com reports several standard active Mercedes-Benz R-Class safety devices, including "side curtain airbags protect occupants in all three rows of seats, and door-mounted side-impact airbags for front occupants." Edmunds adds that all Mercedes-Benz R-Class models are "outfitted with stability control with a rollover sensor, antilock disc brakes with brake assist, active front head restraints, side-impact airbags for front and second-row passengers, and side curtain airbags for all three rows." However, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has crash-tested the vehicle. Cars.com expresses some concern over Mercedes-Benz R-Class visibility issues: "a nest of headrests impairs the rearward view, which is otherwise OK and helped by ample mirrors...reflections are evident in the steep windshield, but they're not too distracting." Edmunds, on the other hand, reports that the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class' "steeply raked windshield affords excellent sight lines." ConclusionIf safety is a priority, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is a good choice, though a final verdict awaits crash-test results. 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars and Driver: "Sensuous curves" Kelley Blue Book: "you'll know it's a Mercedes-Benz " Edmunds: "interior is both posh and functional" Most sources consulted at TheCarConnection.com are not overly impressed with the 2008 ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Because the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is an automotive outlier, nothing compares directly to it. The Audi Q7 delivers on the luxury end of the R-Class experience, but its rear seats are not as comfortable as the Mercedes-Benz's. Plus, the Q7 looks like a traditional SUV and has a taller step-in height, a potential issue for older passengers. The Q7 will soon add a diesel engine to the V-6 and V-8 engines already offered.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R Class

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R Class

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz R Class near you

See the Mercedes-Benz R Class in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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