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2009 Cadillac STS Safety Review

March 13, 2009

SAFETY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

enhanced StabiliTrak with active steering
Cars.com

stability control "among the least intrusive of its kind
Car and Driver

The 2009 Cadillac STS sports the expected safety gear, but scores in crash tests are lower than editors at TheCarConnection.com hope to see.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2009 STS four of five stars for front-impact protection and for front seat side impact protection, as well as top marks of five stars for backseat side impact protection and rollover resistance. In tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2009 Cadillac STS's performance in frontal-offset crashes earns it the highest score of "good"; however, it only receives an "acceptable" rating in side-impact tests, which pulls its safety score down a bit.

Aside from the usual full complement of airbags and anti-lock brakes, the 2009 STS offers a Lane Departure Warning that is activated by a small camera located between the rearview mirror and the windshield, as well as a Side Blind Zone Alert feature. Car and Driver finds both annoying, as they tend to activate at the drop of a hat (but the lane-departure feature doesn't sound off until the car is "almost on the lane lines"). Both features can be deactivated if the driver so chooses.

If the buyer opts for the Cadillac STS V-8 with all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, and "enhanced StabiliTrak with active steering" can be ordered for an extra $2,690, according to Cars.com.

Conclusion

The 2009 Cadillac STS doesn't win high marks for safety—though it does have plenty of accident-avoidance features.

SAFETY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:enhanced StabiliTrak with active steeringCars.comstability control "among the least intrusive of its kindCar and Driver The 2009 Cadillac STS sports the expected safety gear, but scores in crash tests are lower than editors at TheCarConnection.com hope to see. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2009 STS four of five stars for front-impact protection and for front seat side impact protection, as well as top marks of five stars for backseat side impact protection and rollover resistance. In tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2009 Cadillac STS's performance in frontal-offset crashes earns it the highest score of "good"; however, it only receives an "acceptable" rating in side-impact tests, which pulls its safety score down a bit. Aside from the usual full complement of airbags and anti-lock brakes, the 2009 STS offers a Lane Departure Warning that is activated by a small camera located between the rearview mirror and the windshield, as well as a Side Blind Zone Alert feature. Car and Driver finds both annoying, as they tend to activate at the drop of a hat (but the lane-departure feature doesn't sound off until the car is "almost on the lane lines"). Both features can be deactivated if the driver so chooses. If the buyer opts for the Cadillac STS V-8 with all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, and "enhanced StabiliTrak with active steering" can be ordered for an extra $2,690, according to Cars.com. ConclusionThe 2009 Cadillac STS doesn't win high marks for safety—though it does have plenty of accident-avoidance features.  2009 CADILLAC STS STYLING [7 out of 10] Edmunds: " luxury buyers should be pleased with this Cadillac's generally high-class ambience" Kelley Blue Book: "edgy styling" Cars.com: "elements are in proportion" Forbes Autos: "we think it's handsome" Editors at TheCarConnection.com ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

With a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive and V-6 or V-8 engines, the 2009 Cadillac STS slots right alongside the mid-size luxury sedans from Germany and Japan, but it doesn’t have the presence or design detail of a BMW 5-Series or Mercedes E-Class inside. The base V-6 STS has perkier performance than either the E350 or the BMW 528i, though the sweet turbocharged six in the new 535i may have it beat. The E-Class more closely fits a definition of traditional luxury, with a classy appearance, while the 5-Series and M35/M45 feel sportier behind the wheel. Yet another relatively new rival is the Jaguar XJ; with a standard V-8 engine and undeniable good looks, the XF starts at a lower price than the STS V-8. The Infiniti M models have a surprisingly roomy interior—including a spacious backseat, which is somewhat hard to find in this class—but the ride isn't as settled, and road noise can be an issue. And if you're especially green, you might want to consider the E320 Bluetec diesel; it doesn’t feel tremendously sporty, but it’s quick and returns standout highway fuel economy in the mid-30s.

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See the Cadillac STS in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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