ANCAP crash test results

Mercedes-Benz Vito (LHD) | 2009 on

Front+side+head airbags*

* Safety equipment, as tested, not standard on all variants

Occupant protection score: 32.66 out of 37

Important note: The diesel left-hand-drive European Viano small bus was tested by Euro NCAP. Australasian specifications may vary and therefore models sold in Australasia might provide different levels of protection to those described on this page. The right-hand-drive Vito van can be expected to provide comparable front occupant protection to the left-hand-drive vehicle tested by Euro NCAP.

Model history and safety features

The tested model of Mercedes-Benz Vito was introduced in Australia during 2004. This 5-star rating applies to Vitos fitted with bucket front seats, front passenger airbag and head-protecting side curtains, available from January 2009.

A driver airbag, antilock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and electronic stability control (ESC) are standard. A front passenger airbag, side airbags and head-protecting side curtains for the front seats are optional on the van and crew cab and standard on the wagon. Intelligent seat belt reminders are fitted to both front seats. The front seat belt buckles are mounted on the seats and the upper anchorages are adjustable. These features improve the fit of the seat belt. Pretensioners are fitted to the front seat belts to reduce slack in the event of a crash. Three point seat belts are fitted to all rear seats. These provide better protection than a two point (lap) seat belt.

Occupant protection:

The Vito scored 12.79 out of 16 in the offset crash test. The passenger compartment held its shape well. Protection from serious leg injury was marginal for the driver and passenger.

The vehicle scored 15.87 out of 16 in the side impact crash test. There was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver. A further two points were earned in the optional pole test, which was conducted by ANCAP. This enabled the Vito to become the first 5-star commercial vehicle rated by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

Frontal offset crash test

Body region scores out of 4 points each: Head/neck 4 pts, chest 3.79 pts, upper legs 2 pts, lower legs 3 pts.

The passenger compartment held its shape well in the offset crash test. The clutch pedal moved rearwards by 59 mm and upwards 39 mm. The steering wheel hub moved 10mm forward, 83mm downward and 4 mm sideways. The front ("A") pillar moved 31 mm rearwards. All doors remained closed during the crash. After the crash all doors could be opened with normal effort.

The airbag cushioned the head of the driver and contact was stable. A knee bolster behind the fascia was considered to pose a risk of injury to occupants of different sizes and seating positions. The passenger's head was cushioned by the airbag. Passenger head protection might not be as good without the airbag.

Side impact crash test

Body region scores out of 4 points each: Head 4 pts, chest 3.87 pts, abdomen 4 pts, pelvis 4 pts.

The vehicle tested by Euro NCAP was not eligible for an optional pole impact test, since it did not have head-protecting side airbags. Mercedes-Benz funded an ANCAP pole test of a Viano people mover that has comparable protection to the Vito with side curtains. This earned the Viano and Vito a 5-star rating from ANCAP.

Injury measurements

Body region		Offset crash test at 64 km/h (v4.1)		Side impact crash test at 50 km/h (v4.1)
		Driver	Passenger	Driver
Head HIC		378	476	41
Acceleration (g for 3ms)		46.3	57.0	28.3
Neck - Shear (kN)		0.34	0.31	-
- Tension (kN)		1.00	0.72	-
- Extension (Nm)		20.8	16.9	-
Chest Accln (g for 3ms)		-	-	-
Compression (mm)		23.47	20.06	7.42
Viscous criterion (m/s)		0.11	0.12	0.04
Abdomen - Force (kN)		-	-	0.470
Pelvis - Force (kN)		-	-	0.560
Upper legs - Force (kN)	Left	2.28	2.64
	Right	1.51	0.16
Knee displ (mm)	Left	0.10	0.00
	Right	3.60	0.10
Lower legs - Force (kN)	Left	2.37	1.15
	Right	0.77	1.70
Index (Upper/Low)	Left	0.53/0.39	0.27/0.26
	Right	0.23/0.20	0.25/0.27

Bonus points (maximum 5)

Pole Test by ANCAP: 2 points. There was a narrow gap between the rear side door and the b-pillar after the test but this did not constitute a modifier.

Seat belt reminders: 2  (see table below for details)

Modifiers - deductions from offset test scores

Head		No deduction
Chest		No deduction
Upper leg	Variable & conc. loading	2 pt deduction Left & Right for driver & passenger
Lower leg		No deduction
Foot score	Footwell rupture	Score 3 points

Modifiers - deductions from side impact test scores

Chest

Backplate load

0.13 pt deduction

Safety features

These specifications are subject to change. Please check with manufacturer for the latest specifications.

Driver airbag	S
Passenger front airbag	O*
Side airbags, front seats - chest protection	O
Side airbags. front seats - head protection	O
Side airbags. rear seats - head protection	X
Driver knee airbag	X
Seat belt pretensioners (Front/Rear outboard)	S/X
Antilock (ABS) brakes / Electronic brake distribution / Brake Assist	S/S/S
Electronic stability control (ESC, VSC, DSC, ESP, VSA)	S#
3 point centre rear seat belt	S all
Active head restraints - front seats	X
Intelligent seat belt reminder - driver	S
Intelligent seat belt reminder - front passenger	S
Rear seat belt status indicator	X

Key:
S = standard on all variants
O = optional on base variant. May be standard on higher variants
V = not available on base variant but standard or optional on higher variants
X = not available on any variant
# = ESC required by ANCAP for 5 star rating from 2008.

Pedestrian protection rating:

The bumper and front edge of the bonnet scored no points. The protection offered to the head of a struck child was poor in every area tested and was poor in most areas for an adult's head.

Child head impacts	Zero
Adult head impacts	0.92
Upper leg impacts	Zero
Lower leg impacts	Zero
Total (out of 36)	0.92

ANCAP printable version (PDF, 116 KB)

Page created: 13 August 2009