Michael M

ML-320 or A6 which is Safer in an Crash ???

Michael M

Both the ML320 and A6 Quattro are in the same price range. How do they compare in Safety...
crash avoidence I think the A6.
crash survival I think the ML320 ??

If you are buying safety for your family, which is the best choice?

larry

A6 pro:
- better manoeuvrability
- shorter braking distance
- sideguard curtain and rear side airbag
- rear seatbelt pre-tensioner
- xenon (makes you more visible to traffic)

A6 cons:
- no ESP for 2.8 and 2.7T (yet)
- smaller mass (less "metal" to absorb impact energy).

ML320 pro:
- ESP
- higher position may be better in certain situation (e.g. less likely to be wedged underneath a trailor
- larger mass

ML 320 cons:
- longer braking distance
- higher center of gravity may mean easier to roll over
- no sideguard, no rear side airbag, no rear seat pretensioner

wik

They are both safe vehicles. Watch out for the multitude of airbags in the A6 (up to eight, I believe?) which may inadvertently explode your children. I would and did pick the A6.

Cameron

If you look at European crash tests, the "SUV" types of vehicles are seldom safer than sedans. In fact, the X5 is said to be significantly less safe than the 540 or 750, for example. And I would MUCH rather be in an E420 4Matic than an ML420 AWD in a crash.

Sorry guys, I trust sedans and coupes... just my bias against minivans and SUV's, maybe, but my two cents...

Cameron

Michael M

I think in Feburary the Audi A6 All-road starts production. So to answer my own question, I will see how these cross-over vehical rate:
A6 All-Road (based on the A6 Avant)
BMW X5
ML320

Volvo cross-country
Acura MVP (Ontario Canada built on Odyssey plateform)

I couldn't find a comparison of the A6 Sedan to any SUV -- but with your posts above, I've pretty much got my answer. Thanks for your advise !

RickS

Ditto, NCAP testing in Europe proves well designed sedans are safer than SUVs, mass or not.

stanj

Active: what you can do not to get into an accident in the first place. A6 wins hands down.

Passive: what happens when you are in an accident after all. A6 wins in most cases, maybe except when it runs into an ML...

In Austria, a professional skier killed himself a few years ago when he ran his A100 turbo Q with 100mph off road and into a barn. He would have survived if he had his seatbelt on, the coroner said...

- Stan

Chad

The ml has both rear side airbags and seatbelt pretentioners STANDARD! The A6 has a more advanced AWD system i.e. it reacts before there is slipping.

jhenze

The Audi, because if you drive a 1998 or 1999 ML you know that in an accident your air bags and your seat belts do not work.

Mercedes Benz is recalling these SUV to get this "minor problem" fixed.

Did I say Mercedes-Benz, I mean Daimler-Chrysler.