The SLK provides outstanding protection from the very start. The extremely rigid passenger cell and crumple zones already ensure a high level of occupant safety. The A-pillar and the rollover bars also give the Roadster great structural strength.

Depending on the accident type, airbags and belt systems are selectively activated in addition. The sensor system only activates the restraint systems that are actually needed.

Depending on accident severity, the adaptive front airbags in the SLK can be activated in two stages (only the first stage is activated during a minor collision where the trigger threshold is exceeded). During lateral impacts which exceed a certain threshold, the head/thorax sidebags in the flanks of the seat backrests are deployed on the impact side.

Rollover protection is a particularly important part of the SLK safety concept. Thanks to the extremely strong structure of the rollover bars, it provides protection even when driving with the roof open. The rollover sensor recognises critical driving situations and activates both belt tensioners and the head/thorax sidebags, where appropriate, during certain types of rollover.