Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes E-Class hybrid reliability & safety rating

The Mercedes E-Class hybrid's excellent safety score and the company’s reputation for reliability should give buyers confidence

Overall rating

3.5 out of 5

Reliability & safety rating rating

4.0 out of 5

Euro NCAPAdult protectionChild protectionSafety assist
5 stars (2016)95%90%62%

Mercedes went through a bit of a wobble with its reliability in the late '90s and early '00s, but seems to have gotten back on track of late. It has always been at the forefront of automotive technology, too – and nowhere is this more true than with the latest Mercedes E-Class hybrid.

Mercedes E-Class plug-in hybrid reliability & problems

The E-Class finished in a decent 42nd place in the 2021 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, so it has clearly impressed owners so far. Mercedes itself finished 13th out of 29 manufacturers – a middling result, but quite a bit better than the previous year. Mercedes fared better than rivals BMW (21st) and Audi (23rd).

Safety

The E-Class is unquestionably a safe car, with a five-star overall rating, plus adult and child-protection scores of 95% and 90% respectively from crash-testing experts Euro NCAP. The safety assistance score of 62% isn't quite as stellar, but that's most likely down to the fact that a good deal of active safety systems are optional (see below). It’s worth noting that these ratings specifically apply to the pre-facelift model (tested in 2016), though the scores should largely apply to the newer models as well. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

As standard, you get a parking assistance system, an 'active bonnet' to protect pedestrians, active braking assistance, a full complement of airbags, blind-spot monitoring and driver drowsiness monitoring and ISOFIX child-seat anchors on the two outer rear seats. 

Additional safety systems can be added as optional extras. The lane tracking package includes lane-keeping assistance, while the more comprehensive (and more expensive) driving assistance package adds braking assistance, adaptive cruise control, speed-limit assistance, lane-changing assistance, evasive steering assistance and a 'Pre-Safe' system that prepares the car for impact if it detects an imminent collision.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is editor of DrivingElectric, as well as sister site Carbuyer.co.uk, and a regular contributor to Auto Express. An electric and hybrid car advocate, he spent more than five years working on the news and reviews desk at Auto Express and has driven almost every new car currently on sale.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Nissan’s masterplan: 6 new cars by 2026, including next-gen Micra, Leaf successor and revamped Juke,
New Nissan Future models - Picture 1
News

Nissan’s masterplan: 6 new cars by 2026, including next-gen Micra, Leaf successor and revamped Juke,

Nissan has set itself a target of introducing 30 new models globally over within the next two years
25 Mar 2024
New Genesis Neolun concept paves the way for the GV90 SUV
New Genesis Neolun concept - picture 1
News

New Genesis Neolun concept paves the way for the GV90 SUV

With a host of new technology, the Neolun is the brands first step towards a full-size electric SUV.
27 Mar 2024
Rolls-Royce Spectre review: almost the last word in fully-electric luxury
Rolls-Royce Spectre - front tracking
In-depth reviews

Rolls-Royce Spectre review: almost the last word in fully-electric luxury

The Spectre is Rolls-Royce’s admirable first step into the world of electric cars, but it’s not quite perfect
26 Mar 2024