2011 Infiniti M37
2010 Cadillac CTS
The Cadillac CTS sedan, one of our High Gear Media editorial staff favorites, has gone several years without major changes and has top 'good' results in frontal, side, and rear impact scores applying all the way back to 2008 models. And now it's passed the roof test with flying colors—with a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.12.
For these new roof tests, which the IIHS phased in this past year, the Institute measures protection in the event of a rollover by measuring how much constant pressure the roof will take in a designated area. To earn a 'good' rating, a vehicle's roof must be able to withstand four times its body weight.
The Infiniti M37 and M56 are completely redesigned for 2011. In the roof test, the new model achieved a comparable strength-to-weight ratio of 4.21. The predecessor to the M37 and M56, the 2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, hadn't done as well; it had achieved top 'good' ratings in frontal and side impact but earned a 'poor' rating in the IIHS seat-based rear-impact test.
In our full review of the 2011 Infiniti M, editorial director Marty Padgett points to the optional blind-spot and lane-departure systems, as well as the adaptive headlamps, that altogether help keep the driver from trouble. Otherwise, we like the new M's “super-sedan handling,” rear-seat room, and gorgeous look inside and out, though we find the V-6 in the M37 a little coarse.
[IIHS]
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