The high level of safety provided by the A-Class is also a question of form: it is based on the intelligent design of the crumple zone. In a head-on collision the engine and transmission can slide back along the slanted pedal floor, moving beneath the passenger compartment. This substantially reduces the risk of injury for the occupants of the car. And you also enjoy a significantly higher seating position than in conventional passenger cars. This not only ensures better all-round visibility but can also be an advantage in the event of a side-on collision.

Standard equipment for the A-Class includes adaptive front airbags and head/thorax sidebags (larger sidebags which offer additional protection for the head) in the front. Windowbags are also available as an option. Together with the rear sidebags, they offer your rear passengers an excellent level of safety in the event of a side-on collision. The airbags are deployed selectively, which means that during a side-on collision only the airbags on the impact side are activated.

Automatic child seat recognition, which is available as an option, prevents the front airbag from deploying if a Mercedes-Benz child seat with transponder is fitted on the front passenger seat. Belt tensioners and head/thorax sidebags or windowbags remain active in order to protect the young seat occupant.

Because rapid emergency assistance is crucial after an accident, the standard crash-responsive emergency lighting is there to help: as soon as an accident occurs and the pyrotechnical restraint systems are deployed (for example, airbags or belt tensioners), if the automatic interior light system is switched on, the interior lighting is activated. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional exterior Light and Sight package, the footwell lamps also switch on after a collision.