How safe is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan?
Drivers of the 2017–2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan died at a rate of 13 per million registered vehicle years, 64% lower than the average of 38 for all vehicles. That makes it safer than most vehicles for its driver: it ranks 31st of 127 vehicles, safer than 76% of them, whether they're small cars, SUVs, pickups or minivans.
This is the most recent IIHS data for this model, covering 2017–2020 models. It doesn't appear in the newer 2023 study, often because it was redesigned or discontinued.
Where the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan sits among all 127 vehicles
Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan (bar is the 95% range)Every other ranked vehicleDashed line: average of 38
The rate is based on plenty of data, so this ranking is reliable.
2WD vs. 4WD
IIHS rates each drivetrain separately. The score above combines them, weighting the version with more data more heavily.
| Version | Deaths* | 95% range |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan 2WD | 28 | 5–51 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan 4WD | 9 | 0–21 |
Vehicles ranked near the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan
These are the vehicles just above and below it on the all-class ranking. Notice they aren't all the same type: the ranking compares every vehicle against every other one. Ranks use each rate after adjusting for how much data is behind it, so a rate of 0 from a few vehicles can rank below a slightly higher rate from many. Why.
| Rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Audi A4Luxury car · Midsize | 11 | 79 |
| 29 | GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WDSUV · Very large | 11 | 78 |
| 30 | Toyota Tundra Double Cab short bed 4WDPickup · Large | 12 | 77 |
| 31 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedanLuxury car · Midsize | 13 | 76 |
| 32 | Jeep Grand CherokeeSUV · Midsize | 14 | 75 |
| 33 | Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedanLuxury car · Large | 14 | 75 |
| 34 | Ford Ranger Crew Cab 4WDPickup · Small | 14 | 73 |
How it compares with other luxury cars
Among the 6 luxury cars ranked, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan is 3rd. The safest luxury cars are below. See all luxury cars.
| Luxury cars rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus ES 350Luxury car · Midsize | 0 | 94 |
| 2 | Audi A4Luxury car · Midsize | 11 | 79 |
| 3 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedanLuxury car · Midsize | 13 | 76 |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedanLuxury car · Large | 14 | 75 |
| 5 | Tesla Model S 4WDLuxury car · Large | 17 | 71 |
Common questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan a safe vehicle?
By real-world driver deaths, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan is safer than most vehicles for its driver. Its driver death rate of 13 per million registered vehicle years is 64% lower than the average, and it ranks 31st of 127 vehicles across all classes.
How does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan compare with other luxury cars?
It ranks 3rd of 6 luxury cars. The safest is the Lexus ES 350, with a rate of 0.
Is the 2WD or 4WD Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan safer?
The 4WD version had the lower driver death rate (2WD: 28, 4WD: 9). Their ranges overlap, so the difference may be down to chance.
Why is this different from the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan's crash-test rating?
Crash-test stars only compare vehicles of similar size and weight, so a 5-star small car and a 5-star SUV aren't equally safe. This ranking uses real-world driver death rates, which can be compared across every class.
* Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. A registered vehicle year is one vehicle registered for one year.