A BMW 5 Series is 200 inches long and weighs more than 4,000 lbs. It's fairly close to the most recent Impala in size. I don't think it would be considered small anywhere.
Are German cars safer than Japanese or American cars?
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My lack of confidence in the Pilot is mostly due to the OEM tires. Bridgestone Alenza vs Continental Extreme Contact DWS06+. With only a few thousand miles on the Bridgestones, I can't quite justify spending $1200 on the Contis for the Pilot, yet.
Me too. The Mercedes SBC brake system was an amazing safety innovation. I mean it's really no big deal if your brakes completely fail out of nowhere while doing 80 on the highway. You'll be fine.
The Lexus RX consistently ranks at the top of the safest vehicles (per IIHS data) - with a driver death rate of zero.
Safest is to stay out of an accident. So the passive tech might in the end be more important.
After that, the most likely accident is your rear ended. In that case for the most part mass wins. German, Japanese, USA assembled mass probably does not matter that much.
Euro cars in the past likely were safer comparatively because Germany specifically and Europe as a whole have long been ahead of the curve on auto safety - They invented and implemented the air bag and 3 point seat belts first, for example. However at this point most standards have caught up and there hasn't been any major innovation that hasn't spread everywhere. The auto market is much more global these days.
After that, the most likely accident is your rear ended. In that case for the most part mass wins. German, Japanese, USA assembled mass probably does not matter that much.
Euro cars in the past likely were safer comparatively because Germany specifically and Europe as a whole have long been ahead of the curve on auto safety - They invented and implemented the air bag and 3 point seat belts first, for example. However at this point most standards have caught up and there hasn't been any major innovation that hasn't spread everywhere. The auto market is much more global these days.
edyvw
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ABS: MercedesBeat me to it!
MB did have some safety early like airbags but they pretty much didn't change much until later on.
Right, Volvo was beating MB on certain crash tests years before they caught up. Volvo would Woop SAAB though but my statement is not a fair comparison since SAAB went under long time ago. 2009?
ESP: Mercedes
HiD lights: BMW
Front airbags: Mercedes
Side airbags: BMW.
Brake distribution: Mercedes.
Brake boost: BMW
Brake drying: Mercedes.
Just some of “firsts.”
Swedish cars were always very good in crash tests. Volvo was first one with seat belts though.
Mercedes S class from 2000 or BMW E65 still have some innovation that are unique to brands. They are just too expensive and average driver might not see benefit. Not that it is not there.
One of the big innovations lately are Matrix lights (VW) and Laser lights (BMW). Thanx to our regulations, we can watch it on YouTube only.
My experience with BMW is yes. All them have to pass standard safety tests but I am more comfortable with a company that was doing that before it was required because it is more likely they will design a safer car to begin with, that will perform better in a real world situation a test may not capture. These margins are less today because of safety standards and crash tests
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The 5 series that weighs 4000lb was 188 inches.
The 5 series that is 200 inches long weighs way north of 5000lb.
200 inches was, incidentally, the length of the long wheelbase 7 series 25 years ago (when 5 series were still 4000lb
)
edyvw
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Current M5 is above 5000lbs., bcs. batteries.The 5 series that weighs 4000lb was 188 inches.
The 5 series that is 200 inches long weighs way north of 5000lb.
200 inches was, incidentally, the length of the long wheelbase 7 series 25 years ago (when 5 series were still 4000lb
Current 530 is actually below 4000lbs in RWD version.
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I stand corrected, and I'm amazed.
Undeniably true (and most of it Bosch-developped).
However, the Swedes were at the frontlines for lower technology, safety at scale stuff that was easy to pick up by other manufacturers should they have wanted it. And fast to integrate developments made by others.
Safety belts (originally by Nash) as stock equipment - Saab. Ignition key that your knee doesn't crash into - Saab. Strong body, etc, etc. Not taking away from MB one bit, just pointing out that the Swedes were hellbent on safety too, if in a more simplistic way.
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F = MA
So yes, I would agree.
Yes, all cars must meet safety standards. I think that when it comes to Mercedes, the difference is in their "Pre-Safe" system. Yes, it relies on some sensors, so it MIGHT be considered "crash avoidance technology" but I think it falls outside of that definition.
In the event of an "ALMOST" accident, the seat belts tighten, and brake assist goes through the roof! Much to the dismay of cars behind you. If THEY get too close, too quickly, the headrests spring forward to prevent whiplash.
These kind of features aren't considered in crash testing, so I wouldn't expect high crash rating from the NTSB. Crumple zones, yes, intact passenger compartment, Yes. Stronger steel and aluminum parts, most likely.
In the event of an "ALMOST" accident, the seat belts tighten, and brake assist goes through the roof! Much to the dismay of cars behind you. If THEY get too close, too quickly, the headrests spring forward to prevent whiplash.
These kind of features aren't considered in crash testing, so I wouldn't expect high crash rating from the NTSB. Crumple zones, yes, intact passenger compartment, Yes. Stronger steel and aluminum parts, most likely.
4WD
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Very interesting when one “googles that” …
4WD
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Who doesn’t have/offer most of that in 2025?
Early on ie late 80s and early 90s on the high end then yes. According to Jeremy Clarkson in on a Top Gear segment the Mercedes S Class was the first to have standard abs, dual airbags etc. Years ago I talked to a guy who was a firefighter in the 80s. They respond to a head on collision between a Mercedes and a Cadillac el Dorado (the giant barge Caddy). One of his co workers told him look at the Mercedes with its terrible German engineering it crumple the Caddy is hardly damaged. The paramedics on scene said yeah the occupants of the Mercedes live. While the occupants in the Cadillac died.
4WD
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What are you interested in ? New ? Last 5 years ?
Seems ancient history and irrelevant commentary will take over with lack of specificity …
4WD
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And you know they all had seatbelts on - I know way too many who would not wear them in that period …
The EU used to have more stringent requirements for the passenger cell during a rollover. Basically the roof could not collapse like it could on any American SUV/Pickup at the time. I don't know if that's still the case. Otherwise everything else was about equivalent. You can look at various sites both US and EU to compare.
Which german car? Which Japanese car? Which American car?
I think a large S class is still about as safe as it gets. But I wouldn't think it's any safer than a large Lexus LS or a Cadillac.
I think a large S class is still about as safe as it gets. But I wouldn't think it's any safer than a large Lexus LS or a Cadillac.
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