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2009 Cadillac CTS-V Safety Review

November 3, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Four stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impact
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset test and side impact test
IIHS

Optional advanced traction-control system
Motor Trend

In order to compete with the best of the Euro-sedans, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V comes packed with top-notch safety features. This super-Caddy doesn't disappoint in safety, offering a multimode electronic stability system and a wealth of airbags.

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V itself has not yet been crash-tested by either NHTSA or the IIHS, but for all intents and purposes, it can be assigned the same ratings as its twin, the standard Cadillac CTS. The Cadillac CTS and, by virtue of its nearly identical chassis design, the Cadillac CTS-V earn less-than-ideal scores from NHTSA in frontal-impact tests: four out of a possible five stars. However, the Cadillac CTS-V achieves a perfect five-star rating from NHTSA for side-impact protection. The IIHS is also highly impressed by the Cadillac CTS-V's crash performance and awards the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V the highest possible rating, "good," in both the frontal offset and side impact categories. In fact, the IIHS likes the Cadillac CTS so much that they declare it a Top Safety Pick for its "good performance in front, side, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control." With such a genealogy, it's easy to see why the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V should score very well if either NHTSA or the IIHS decide to test one.

Standard safety features abound on the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and include some very high-tech systems. Cars.com reports that some of the more mundane safety features include "four-wheel-disc antilock brakes" and "six airbags, including side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags for both rows," along with "active head restraints." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com rave about the standard stability control system, which Automobile Magazine says has "three levels of computer control: full on, competition mode (traction control off and stability control allowing more leeway), and full off." The Cadillac CTS-V also offers an "optional advanced traction-control system called Performance Traction Management," according to Motor Trend, "which will allow the driver to select up to six different traction thresholds."

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V stacks up pretty well in terms of crash-test ratings and safety equipment, but overall visibility is a drag on its safety score. ConsumerGuide is disappointed to find that the "rakish roof line hurts visibility...with thick rear pillars being a particular hindrance to the outward view."

Conclusion

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is incredibly powerful, but offers all the safety of a high-tech sport sedan.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Four stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impactNHTSAGood," frontal offset test and side impact testIIHSOptional advanced traction-control systemMotor Trend In order to compete with the best of the Euro-sedans, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V comes packed with top-notch safety features. This super-Caddy doesn't disappoint in safety, offering a multimode electronic stability system and a wealth of airbags. The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V itself has not yet been crash-tested by either NHTSA or the IIHS, but for all intents and purposes, it can be assigned the same ratings as its twin, the standard Cadillac CTS. The Cadillac CTS and, by virtue of its nearly identical chassis design, the Cadillac CTS-V earn less-than-ideal scores from NHTSA in frontal-impact tests: four out of a possible five stars. However, the Cadillac CTS-V achieves a perfect five-star rating from NHTSA for side-impact protection. The IIHS is also highly impressed by the Cadillac CTS-V's crash performance and awards the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V the highest possible rating, "good," in both the frontal offset and side impact categories. In fact, the IIHS likes the Cadillac CTS so much that they declare it a Top Safety Pick for its "good performance in front, side, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control." With such a genealogy, it's easy to see why the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V should score very well if either NHTSA or the IIHS decide to test one. Standard safety features abound on the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and include some very high-tech systems. Cars.com reports that some of the more mundane safety features include "four-wheel-disc antilock brakes" and "six airbags, including side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags for both rows," along with "active head restraints." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com rave about the standard stability control system, which Automobile Magazine says has "three levels of computer control: full on, competition mode (traction control off and stability control allowing more leeway), and full off." The Cadillac CTS-V also offers an "optional advanced traction-control system called Performance Traction Management," according to Motor Trend, "which will allow the driver to select up to six different traction thresholds." The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V stacks up pretty well in terms of crash-test ratings and safety equipment, but overall visibility is a drag on its safety score. ConsumerGuide is disappointed to find that the "rakish roof line hurts visibility...with thick rear pillars being a particular hindrance to the outward view." ConclusionThe 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is incredibly powerful, but offers all the safety of a high-tech sport sedan. 2009 CADILLAC CTS-V STYLING | [9 out of 10] ConsumerGuide: "CTS puts form over function when it comes to the use of major controls" Motor Trend: "Identified by the satin-finish mesh grille, deeper front and rear fascias" Road & Track: "Thick steering wheel and pedals [are] placed ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V comes very close in overall size to the BMW M5, the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, and the Audi S6, but with a lower price than the E63, it competes more closely with the C63 AMG. The Audi S6 is about the same size and weight as the CTS-V, and it has standard all-wheel drive; however, its 5.2-liter V-10 engine makes only 435 horsepower and far less usable torque than the CTS-V's supercharged V-8. The C63 AMG's driving feel is similar to that of the CTS-V—hefty on the road, but surprisingly crisp and responsive on the track—and despite its somewhat lighter weight, it makes do with about 100 less hp and, thus, isn't as fast. The BMW M5 can get to 60 mph in about the same time as the CTS-V, by some accounts, and it comes with an impressive (or intimidating) set of electronic controls as part of M Drive, though its sticker price starts at around $85,000, about $25,000 more than the CTS-V. The limited-production Lexus IS-F is another new competitor, with a 416-horsepower V-8, rear-wheel drive, and some serious track credentials, but the IS-F strikes out on one count: With no manual transmission, it's still a poseur to hard-core performance nuts.

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See the Cadillac CTS-V in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Comments (1 total)

  1. By gregberlin #2, Posted: 5/31/2009

    smokn hot!!

    i own a xlrv and love the cts-v as well! there
    exotic american cars it may be at gm crisis time
    but they did it and proved it to the world!!
    god bless GM!GREG BERLIN RENO NV,
    CADDY FANANTIC

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