This model is highly praised for its front crash prevention technology.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class a Top Safety Pick+ award. It joins the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Civic, the Chevrolet Volt, the Audi A4, the BMW X1, the Chevrolet Volt, the Chrysler Pacifica and the Honda Civic.

The German premium midsize car receives high ratings in all five IIHS crashworthiness evaluations: small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side, roof strength and head restraints. All trim levels come with a standard front crash prevention system. The car’s front crash protection rating can be increased to superior with an optional option.

The Institute points out that there is a significant improvement in the difficult small overlap test of the previous generation C-Class. This is because the new vehicle’s structure was able to withstand maximum intrusion into the passenger compartment of only four inches, compared to 20 inches for the older model.

The roof strength test results for the new C-Class are also very impressive. It has a strength-to-weight ratio (7), which is one of the highest ever recorded. According to IIHS, a rating of a good vehicle requires a ratio of at least four.

The car’s headlights rating is unexpectedly low, with overall quality of the illuminators being rated poor. IIHS states that visibility on the straightaway at low beams is “inadequate” on both sides, while visibility on curves is “inadequate in all four tests.” It also tested vehicles with traditional halogen reflectors as well as with LED projectors.

IIHS performed its first ever headlights testing earlier this year. It was shocked to find that many premium vehicles have bad headlights. According to the test, the BMW 3 Series had the worst halogen-headlights in its category, however, the optional LED headlights greatly improve the situation.

IIHS states that headlights play a significant role in safer roads as almost half of all traffic fatalities occur at night or under low-light conditions like dawn or dusk.