Midsize Luxury SUVs Safety Ratings: 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:

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.

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.