The E-Class is equipped with a wealth of safety systems which help to prevent accidents. However, should the worst happen, Passive-Safe comes into play, providing protection for both the occupants and other road users. Occupant protection comes in the form of a high-strength safety passenger cell as well as adaptive two-stage front airbags, sidebags and windowbags which are deployed in accordance with the severity of the accident.

Then there are the Neck-Pro crash-active head restraints for the driver and front passenger; in the event of a rear-end collision above a certain severity, pre-loaded springs push the head restraints around 40 millimetres forwards and 30 millimetres upwards at lightning speed to provide rapid support to the heads of the front occupants, thus considerably reducing the risk of whiplash injuries.

Other road users are protected by the smooth-lined design of the bodywork and the bumpers which "give" in a controlled manner upon impact.