As it should be, the M-Class is full of standard safety features like an electronic stability system, antilock brakes, traction control, side curtain airbags, and side-impact airbags for the front and rear seats.

The M-Class has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award, which is the institute's top safety designation earned by high marks in frontal-, side- and rear-impact crash tests. To date, the only other luxury SUVs in this class to earn that designation are the Acura MDX and Volvo XC90.