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2009 Mercedes-Benz R Class Safety Review

June 1, 2009

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

a nest of headrests impairs the rearward view
Cars.com

all R-Class models are outfitted with stability control
Edmunds

Good," frontal; "acceptable," side; "good," rear
IIHS

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t tested the R-Class, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has, and the results weren’t as good as anticipated. The R-Class got a "good" rating for frontal impact from the IIHS, but its "acceptable" rating for side impact—indicating a higher chance of bodily injury—wasn’t impressive in a class nearly full of vehicles that achieved nothing but top ratings. The R-Class did, however, see a "good" rating in the IIHS’s seat-based rear-impact test. One note: Mercedes has made some running changes, and 2009 models manufactured after September 2008 were retested for a rating of "good."

That aside, all the top safety equipment is in the R-Class. Edmunds says 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." 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."

According to Edmunds, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class' "steeply raked windshield affords excellent sight lines." However, 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."

Conclusion

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class offers superior levels of safety gear, but for some versions, the crash-test ratings aren’t quite perfect.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:a nest of headrests impairs the rearward viewCars.comall R-Class models are outfitted with stability controlEdmundsGood," frontal; "acceptable," side; "good," rearIIHS While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t tested the R-Class, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has, and the results weren’t as good as anticipated. The R-Class got a "good" rating for frontal impact from the IIHS, but its "acceptable" rating for side impact—indicating a higher chance of bodily injury—wasn’t impressive in a class nearly full of vehicles that achieved nothing but top ratings. The R-Class did, however, see a "good" rating in the IIHS’s seat-based rear-impact test. One note: Mercedes has made some running changes, and 2009 models manufactured after September 2008 were retested for a rating of "good." That aside, all the top safety equipment is in the R-Class. Edmunds says 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." 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." According to Edmunds, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class' "steeply raked windshield affords excellent sight lines." However, 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." ConclusionThe 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class offers superior levels of safety gear, but for some versions, the crash-test ratings aren’t quite perfect. 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: "in black, the R-Class looks funereal" Cars and Driver: "sumptuous interior" Kelley Blue Book: "you'll know it's a Mercedes-Benz " The 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class may be more functional than beautiful. The Kelley Blue Book ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

There are no direct comparisons to the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class. The Cadillac Escalade, while flashier than the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class, runs close to parallel in terms of luxury. The Escalade's passenger accommodations are also top-flight, but now that all R-Class models are V-6 powered, the Escalade easily outmuscles the Benz. Another alternative is the Audi Q7, which 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, and Cadillac produces a hybrid version of the Escalade. The new Lincoln MKT—closely related to the Ford Flex—is perhaps the closest match yet to the R-Class for seating comfort in the second and third rows. It’s also tremendously well equipped, though the Lincoln doesn’t offer a more fuel-efficient alternative as the others do.

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See the Mercedes-Benz R Class in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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