Top 3 safety features on a Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is filled with safety features and can be had with a variety of additional safety packages for semi-autonomous functionality. Let's see what basic safety features are to be found in the entry-level C-Class and which optional extras are worth paying for.
Standard across the board...
The C-Class is a premium German saloon, and the Germans take safety very seriously. Standard safety features in the C-Class include ABS, EBD, brake assist, an electro-mechanical parking brake, hill-start assist, traction and stability control, a tyre pressure sensor, seven airbags, fatigue detection, child locks, ISOFIX child seat anchorage points, cruise control, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, LED daytime running lamps, and LED High Performance headlamps with Adaptive High-beam assist. The C-Class has an alarm system as well as an interior monitoring system.
On the infotainment side, the C-Class comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for safe, hands-free telephony. (The C-Class gets a five star EuroNCAP safety rating.)
Related: Your complete guide to buying, owning, and selling a Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Extras
1. Driving Assistance Package, R37 200
If you're keen on joining the semi-autonomous gang, the Driving Assistance Package offers steering assist, Distronic Plus (adaptive cruise control) and Mercedes-Benz's Pre-Safe system. The latter generates a noise from the speakers that triggers the natural reflex in the eardrum that protects the ears in case of an accident. (Pre-Safe can be had separately at R4 600).
Adaptive Cruise Control is the ultimate safety feature if you commute for long hours every day in heavy traffic. It enables the C-Class to stop, pull away, and brake when the vehicle in front does the same. This package is recommended if you feel the need for artificial intelligence and cameras / sensors to monitor your surroundings and keep you out of harm's way. This system will also brake autonomously if it senses an accident or collision is imminent.
2. Lane Tracking Package, R13 900
We like the Lane Tracking Package at R13 900 that include blind spot assist, active lane keeping assist, and an exit warning assistant. These are luxuries, however, and if you're a wide-awake and vigilant driver, surely you can check your side mirrors for oncoming traffic and ensure you stay in your lane, all on your own. For those of you who tend to be a bit more easily distracted, this package is probably a good idea. Side mirror lights will flash and you'll get an audible warning if there's traffic in your blind spot. Your steering wheel will also vibrate if the C-Class system realizes you're veering into another lane, or if senses you may leave the road altogether.
3. Rear Seat Safety Package, R7 100
This package adds two additional side airbags and adaptive belt force limiters, which will reduce the loads occurring in an accident. If you have rear passengers on a regular basis, one can never be too careful, I suppose.
Any other boxes worth ticking?
Front passenger airbag deactivation functionality, R1 600
Should a frail person need to use the front seat, or you need to fit a rear-facing baby seat on the front passenger seat, you will pay R 1600 for the privilege of being able to switch this airbag off.
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