On sale across the States for almost a year now, the Mercedes-Benz GLE underwent IIHS’ strict crash tests and came out a winner.

The German brand’s SUV earned ‘Good’ ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints and, along with its front crash prevention system, was awarded a Top Safety Pick Plus rating.

When equipped with the standard front crash prevention system alone, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE managed to avoid collision in the 12 mph (19 km/h) track test, while the impact was reduced by 12 mph (19 km/h) in the 25 mph (40 km/h) test. With the optional Pre-Safe Brake, which also includes a forward collision warning that meets the NHTSA criteria, the vehicle slowed by an average of 24 mph (39 km/h) in the 25 mph (40 km/h) test.

Despite being billed as brand new, the Mercedes-Benz GLE remains an ML underneath its restyled skin, which is why it follows its predecessor into a Top Safety Pick Plus award. When it was tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s engineers, the M-Class scored a ‘Good’ overall rating in the five crash-worthiness tests and its front crash prevention system was again rated as ‘Superior’.

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