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SAFETY | 7 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
“Good,” front impact; “acceptable,” side impact
IIHS
Five stars for driver-side front impacts; four stars for all other tests; four stars for rollover protection
NHTSA
Safety items top the list of standard features
Kelley Blue Book
In front impact crash tests the 2009 Cadillac DTS scores well, but didn't fare as well in side impact tests.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the DTS a “good” rating for its more stringent front-impact test, but only an “acceptable” rating for side impacts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the DTS five stars for driver-side front impact protection; all other front and side impact tests, as well as rollover tests, are rated at four stars.
The 2009 Cadillac DTS features plenty of standard safety equipment as outlined by Cars.com. Anti-lock brakes and "StabiliTrak electronic stability system with brake assist" are among them, as are six airbags (side impact, curtain, and front passenger unit). This includes the "new dual-depth" front airbags that deploy "either shallow or deep depending on crash severity, seat belt usage and occupant position," according to Cadillac.
Edmunds is impressed by the 2009 Cadillac rear bumper sonar system that uses radio waves to detect objects while in reverse. There are also Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Zone Alert systems. These options are designed to alert Cadillac 2009 DTS drivers to the state of traffic around them with a series of alarms.
The Cadillac DTS may be equipped with a night-vision option installed to project "onto the lower section of the windshield using a 'heads-up' display"; Motor Trend considers it especially useful "in inclement weather, when visibility is sharply reduced." This option costs an extra $2,000.
Conclusion
The 2009 Cadillac DTS might not provide segment-leading protection, but it doesn’t skimp on high-tech safety features.
