Mercedes-Benz vs. Acura SUV Safety Ratings (2024)
Finding an SUV with high safety ratings not only keeps your family secure, it can also save you money on auto insurance. Read on the learn whether Mercedes-Benz or Acura SUVs receive better safety ratings.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Scott W. Johnson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Scott W Johnson is an independent insurance agent in California. Principal Broker and founder of Marindependent Insurance Services, Scott brings over 25 years of experience to his clients. His Five President’s Council awards prove he uses all he learned at Avocet, Sprint Nextel, and Farmers Insurance to the benefit of his clients. Scott quickly grasped the unique insurance requirements of his...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: May 5, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: May 5, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- The Acura RDX and Acura MDX are the 2022 Top Safety Picks+
- The Mercedes GLB, GLC, and GLE-Class earned five-star safety ratings
- The Acura RDX has the lowest risk of rollover between Mercedes-Benz vs. Acura
Are midsize luxury SUVs the safest type of car? The Acura MDX and RDX have the top SUV safety ratings, but the midsize Mercedes GLE-Class also scored high in front and side crash ratings. So, which is the SUV with the best safety ratings?
When deciding between Mercedes or Acura auto insurance, analyze each make and model’s safety ratings and compare insurance quotes from multiple companies before making a final choice. Auto insurance for luxury vehicles is more expensive, but safety ratings can save you money on your monthly rates, so it’s a good idea to find the best safety-rating SUV.
This guide will give you a closer look at the highest safety-rated SUV by comparing scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for each model.
Mercedes-Benz vs. Acura: What are the midsize SUV safety ratings?
The IIHS honors the safest vehicles in each class with Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ accolades. Cars with a Pick+ title earn superior scores in crash prevention and child safety areas. It regularly reviews vehicles in three main safety areas, comprising eight subsections with ratings spanning from “good” to “poor.”
In the midsize luxury SUV class, G-Class represents Mercedes-Benz, including the GLA-C-Class, GLE-Class, and GLS-Class trims. The RDX and MDX models represent the Acura.
Overall, the Acura midsize luxury SUVs edged out the Mercedes-Benz G-Class models for the 2022 Top Safety Pick+.
The primary areas where the Acura RDX and MDX performed well were LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), headlights, and front-crash prevention. They also received superior ratings for front-end crashes, while the midsize Mercedes SUVs earned acceptable ratings.
The GLE and GLC-Class were the only two midsize Mercedes SUVs to earn a top safety rating from the IIHS. However, the GLB, GLC, and GLE-Class earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA. The NHTSA analyzes simulated collisions that test a vehicle’s front and side safety and rollover risk to determine the SUV with the best safety rating.
This table shows each luxury SUV’s safety ratings:
Vehicle Make and Model IIHS Safety Rating NHTSA Safety Rating
Acura MDX Top Safety Pick+ Not Rated
Acura RDX Top Safety Pick+ 5-Star
Mercedes GLA Not Rated Not Rated
Mercedes GLB Not Rated 5-Star
Mercedes GLC Top Safety Pick 5-Star
Mercedes GLE Top Safety Pick+ 5-Star
Mercedes GLS Not Rated Not Rated
Keep reading for a closer look at the safety ratings for each model to determine the best SUV in safety for your family.
Acura RDX Safety Ratings
The 2022 Acura RDX earned the Top Safety Pick+ title from the IIHS and scored superior ratings for its front-end crash prevention systems. It also earned the highest score possible in LATCH, which determines how easy it is to install and uninstall child safety seats.
The NHTSA gave the RDX the highest five-star safety rating. The NHTSA tests vehicles in front and side crash simulations and assesses each rollover risk. The RDX earned five stars in the side crash tests but only four stars in the frontal crash for issues with the front driver side.
The RDX rollover risk is 15%, earning it a four-star rating. However, all scores combined earn the Acura RDX a five-star safety rating.
Acura MDX Safety Ratings
The Acura MDX also earned the Top Safety Pick+ title from the IIHS. It scored superior ratings for its front-end crash prevention systems and earned the highest possible scores in side and roof crash tests.
However, the 2022 MDX is not yet fully rated by the NHTSA. It earned a four-star rating in frontal crash tests and five stars in the side crash but is still awaiting results for the rollover tests.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV Safety Ratings
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class includes six model trims varying in size, seating, gas mileage, and more, including optional features like keyless start and rear-seat entertainment systems. The IIHS and NHTSA rate each model to provide accurate safety ratings for drivers who may be choosing between different Mercedes models.
Only the Mercedes GLE-Class earned the Top Safety Pick+ title from the IIHS. Its highest scores were in front-end, side, and roof crash tests, with good LATCH ratings and acceptable headlight scores.
However, the GLE-Class front-end crash prevention between pedestrians was below-average with its standard system. According to the IIHS, drivers must buy an upgraded model for superior protection.
The GLC-Class was the only other midsize Mercedes SUV to earn a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick. It earned superior front-end crash scores but didn’t qualify for a Pick+ accolade due to poor headlight ratings and only acceptable LATCH scores.
The Mercedes GLB-Class wasn’t an IIHS Top Safety Pick, but it did earn a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. In addition, it had five-star safety ratings for front and side crash tests and a four-star rollover risk of 15.5%.
The GLC and GLE also earned five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA, but the GLC-Class has the highest risk of rollover (18.5%).
The GLA and GLS-Class don’t have NHTSA ratings yet, and neither model ranked as a Top Safety Pick.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Mercedes-Benz vs. Acura: What is the highest safety-rated midsize SUV?
Between Mercedes-Benz vs. Acura, the 2022 Acura RDX has the best SUV safety for drivers, passengers, and families. While both midsize Acura SUVs earned Top Safety Picks and five-star ratings in crash tests, only the RDX had the lowest rollover risk among all the vehicles on this list.
The Acura RDX and MDX also earned the highest possible scores in LATCH and child safety. LATCH ratings may not matter if you don’t have young children, but vehicles with high safety ratings often have cheaper auto insurance rates.
Acura SUVs also start with lower MSRP prices than Mercedes-Benz. Lower list prices and higher safety ratings will qualify Acura drivers for cheaper auto insurance rates since it will likely cost less to repair their vehicles after an accident. Insurance on a Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, for example, is an expensive option.
The 2022 RDX starts at $39,500, followed by the Mercedes GLC-Class at $43,850. However, the GLC had the highest risk of rollover and scored lowest in LATCH and headlight safety, leaving Acura as the safest and most affordable luxury SUV for auto insurance.
Methodology: How to Find Midsize SUV Safety Ratings
Our researchers used safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to determine the safest midsize luxury SUV between Mercedes-Benz vs. Acura.
The IIHS criteria analyzes crash safety from the front, side, and roof. The criteria measures head restraints, seat belts, and child safety, with scores ranging from “poor” to “good.” Vehicles that earn “good” marks in crashworthiness and “acceptable” or better in areas of crash avoidance and mitigation get the more advanced Pick+ titles. Vehicles with top-notch vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention measures receive superior scores.
The NHTSA awards safety ratings for a front crash, side crash, and rollover risk. A crash test simulating a front-end vehicle collision at 35 mph determines front crash safety. Side crash safety simulates an intersection collision between 35 and 40 mph on the driver and passenger sides. A simulated single-vehicle crash determines rollover resistance.
Vehicles that resist rollover and minimize injuries sustained by passengers earn higher four and five-star safety ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are midsize luxury SUVs from Mercedes-Benz and Acura known for their high safety ratings?
Yes, both Mercedes-Benz and Acura offer midsize luxury SUVs that are known for their high safety ratings. These vehicles are designed with advanced safety features and undergo rigorous testing to ensure occupant protection.
What are some of the top-rated midsize luxury SUVs from Mercedes-Benz?
Mercedes-Benz offers several midsize luxury SUVs with excellent safety ratings, including the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. These vehicles often feature advanced driver-assistance systems and innovative safety technologies.
Which Acura midsize luxury SUVs have impressive safety ratings?
Acura also offers midsize luxury SUVs with impressive safety ratings. Models like the Acura MDX and Acura RDX have received high marks for their safety features and performance in crash tests. Acura prioritizes safety by equipping their vehicles with cutting-edge safety technologies.
How do the safety ratings of Mercedes-Benz midsize luxury SUVs compare to Acura’s?
Both Mercedes-Benz and Acura prioritize safety in their midsize luxury SUVs, and their vehicles generally perform well in safety tests. However, specific safety ratings can vary depending on the model and the year of production. It’s advisable to check the latest safety ratings and features of specific models from both manufacturers for a detailed comparison.
How can I stay informed about the latest safety ratings and features of midsize luxury SUVs from Mercedes-Benz and Acura?
To stay informed about the latest safety ratings and features of midsize luxury SUVs from Mercedes-Benz and Acura, you can visit the official websites of both manufacturers. These websites often provide comprehensive information about their vehicles’ safety technologies, crash test results, and other important safety-related details. consumers.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Scott W. Johnson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Scott W Johnson is an independent insurance agent in California. Principal Broker and founder of Marindependent Insurance Services, Scott brings over 25 years of experience to his clients. His Five President’s Council awards prove he uses all he learned at Avocet, Sprint Nextel, and Farmers Insurance to the benefit of his clients. Scott quickly grasped the unique insurance requirements of his...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.