We’ve seen many SUVs enter the automotive market. Some heavy on performance, some leaning more toward luxurious amenities. The Mercedes G-Class, otherwise known as the G-Wagen, encompasses both, which you don’t see very often. A powerful engine, coupled with a 9-speed transmission offering 416 hp, with tons of luxury features has us all wanting to climb into one of these to see just what it has to offer.

The G-Wagen gets more popular every year, but the last few disappointed some of its fans. But, the 2019 model promises to be significantly better than the previous one. So, if you’re in the market for one of these SUVs, you might wonder how it racks up as far as safety goes. Is the Mercedes G-Wagen safe or not? Auto Blog lists some of the safety features it offers.

G-Wagen safety features

The G-Wagen comes with a whole set of airbags. Mercedes implements front and side-impact airbags, overhead ones for extra protection of the head, and knee airbags for the lower extremities. Another collision protective device is the pre-tensioner for the seat belt.

When an accident is detected, the pre-tensioner will automatically tighten to encourage a proper seating position for the least impact when an accident occurs. That means fewer injuries to have to deal with in the long run.

Mercedes Benz outfitted their G-Class with anti-lock brakes that will prevent the wheels from locking up when a driver hits the brake pedal hard. It also has the stability control feature that will adjust driving settings to help drivers keep control of the vehicle when situations arise. The G-Class also offers the Mercedes Parktronic parking assist feature that helps drivers park in tight spots, preventing accidents.

How did it perform in crash test ratings?

The NHTSA and the IIHS have done no crash testing on the G-Wagen, but they have on other Mercedes products. The EuroNCAP, Europe’s version of the NHTSA, tested the 2019 model year of the G-class SUV. They gave it an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, rating adult occupants protection at 90%, just under the Honda CR-V, and the SEAT Terraco.

For child protection, the EuroNCAP reported a slight issue with body protection using a 10-year-old dummy model, but they felt that overall protection was good with 83%. In the vulnerable road users test, the G-Wagen could’ve scored better, though. EuroNCAP gave ratings of poor and adequate when breaking down the tests in smaller areas. Overall, they gave it a 78% for the road user test.

What’s the verdict on the G-Wagen’s safety?

The Mercedes G-Wagen scored fairly well on safety testing from the European facility, but other SUVs scored better. This five-passenger mid-size vehicle markets more toward the luxury side, though, and there are decent safety features implemented within it. Smaller families might find it a good fit for their needs, as far as safety goes, but the G-Wagen comes with a pretty hefty price tag.

Mercedes has a good track record of producing safe vehicles, like their C-class sedans. The IIHS gave that car mostly good ratings, and they received superior marks for front crash prevention for both vehicle to vehicle, and vehicle to a pedestrian. The G-Wagen is likely no exception to the company’s high-quality production standards.

Mercedes G-Class SUV is pricey with six figures under its belt. But if you’re looking for an off-roader that you can zip around town in, without to much hassle, this will provide you with that. With pretty much average safety ratings, according to the European testing facility, the G-Wagen is definitely a contender for those looking for a luxury sport utility vehicle that they can put their trust in.