The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Is Europe's Safest Premium Hatchback

The European safety organisation, Euro NCAP, has awarded the W177 Mercedes-Benz A-Class the coveted “Best In Class” safety rating in the Small Family Vehicle segment, making it the safest premium hatchback on sale in Europe.

Prof. Dr. Rodolfo Schöneburg, Head of Passive Safety and Vehicle Functions at Mercedes-Benz Cars adds, “This Euro NCAP award, which we are delighted about, is recognition of the excellent standards of safety in our vehicles. However, the standardised crash tests only represent a small sample of the real-life accidents that may be encountered on the street. For that reason, Mercedes-Benz designs all its model series using around 40 different accident constellations."

The all-new A-Class is the first Mercedes-Benz model to have been developed in part at Mercedes-Benz's new Technology Centre for Vehicle Safety (TFS). The centrepiece of the body's safety concept and construction is the highly rigid passenger compartment due to greater use of high-strength, ultra-high-strength, and press-hardened sheet steel.

The A-Class is equipped as standard with seven airbags, with rear thorax airbags also optionally offered.

In addition to the advanced MBUX Infotainment system, the A-Class also uses map and navigation data for assistance functions. For example, Active Distance Assist (DISTRONIC) –part of the Driving Assistance package – is able to support the driver in numerous route-specific situations, and predictively and conveniently adjust the vehicle’s speed when approaching bends, junctions, or roundabouts.

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection is also fitted as standard, to mitigate or prevent rear-end collisions with slower-moving or stationary vehicles, and detect pedestrian or cyclists at an intersection for instance.

The locally offered A-Class is also offered with Active Parking Assist and Automatic High-Beam Control as standard.