2017 Cadillac CTS

large luxury car / 4-door sedan

2017 Cadillac CTS 4-door sedan
2015 Cadillac CTS shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior
Optional system
Basic

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning
  • Optional lane departure prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2016-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Cadillac CTS 3.6L Luxury Collection 4-door

The Cadillac CTS was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Beginning with 2016 models, the front suspension steering links were modified to better control wheel movement during small overlap frontal crashes. The tested car was a 2015 model but was retrofitted by a Cadillac dealership with the revised steering links for 2016 models.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the instrument panel, steering wheel, and door frame after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space wasn't maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

Instrument panel intrusion contributed to a significant risk of injury to the right lower leg and a moderate risk to the left hip and left lower leg.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1547
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 10
Footrest (cm) 16
Left toepan (cm) 12
Brake pedal (cm) 11
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 10
Upper dash (cm) 16
Lower instrument panel (cm) 15

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1547
Head
HIC-15 183
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 5
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 19
Femur (kN)
Left 5.9
Right 3.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 8
Right 6
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 14
Right 1
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.43
Right 0.74
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 5.7
Right 7.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 145
Right 105

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2014-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Cadillac CTS Performance Collection 4-door 4wd

The Cadillac CTS was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1228
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 1
Left (cm) 2
Center (cm) 2
Right (cm) 1
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -1
Rearward (cm) -2
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1228
Head
HIC-15 250
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm) 26
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.4
Femur force - right (kN) 3.6
Knee displacement - left (mm) 3
Knee displacement - right (mm) 4
Maximum tibia index - left 0.36
Maximum tibia index - right 0.55
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.8
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 6.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 85
Right 97

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2014-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Cadillac CTS (base) 4-door 2wd with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front and rear seat-mounted torso airbags

The Cadillac CTS was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1304
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -14.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1304
Head HIC-15 482
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Compression (kN) 0.0
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 47
Lateral force (kN) 2.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 38
Average deflection (mm) 36
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.05
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.52
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.6
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.2
Combined force (kN) 3.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.6
L-M moment (Nm) 52
A-P moment (Nm) 102

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1304
Head HIC-15 18
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 6
Lateral force (kN) 0.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 19
Average deflection (mm) 11
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.83
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.17
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.0
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.0
Combined force (kN) 3.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.2
L-M moment (Nm) 42
A-P moment (Nm) 36

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2014-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Cadillac CTS 3.6L Luxury Collection 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,764 lbs
Peak force15,989 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.25

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 6
Distance below top of head (mm) 15
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 10.2
Head contact time (ms) 45
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 20
Max neck tension (N) 388

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • 2.0L Turbo trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 2.0L Turbo trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2016-19 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 85.3 m None
Straightaway left edge 48.2 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 48.6 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 43.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 38.8 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 36.9 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 119.3 m
Straightaway left edge 76.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 48.7 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 49.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 38.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 38.0 m

Trim level(s)

  • 2.0L Turbo Luxury trim
  • 3.6L V6 Luxury trim
  • 3.6L V6 Premium Luxury trim
  • 3.6L Twin Turbo V-Sport trim
  • 3.6L Twin Turbo V-Sport Premium Luxury trim
Low-beam headlight typeHID projector
High-beam headlight typeHID projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Excessive glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created excessive glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both left curves and fair on both right curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • 2.0L Turbo Luxury trim
  • 3.6L V6 Luxury trim
  • 3.6L V6 Premium Luxury trim
  • 3.6L Twin Turbo V-Sport trim
  • 3.6L Twin Turbo V-Sport Premium Luxury trim
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type HID projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2016-19 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 93.1 m 92.5%
Straightaway left edge 62.2 m 92.5%
250m radius right curve, right edge 73.2 m 13.3%
250m radius left curve, left edge 61.3 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 60.5 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 57.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 117.5 m
Straightaway left edge 110.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 74.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 76.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 60.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 66.4 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

  • Optional Automatic Collision Preparation

Package name

  • Optional Driver Assist Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2014-17 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 12 mph.

System details

  • Optional Forward Collision Alert

Package name

  • Optional Driver Awareness Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2014-19 models

Basic
Basic
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • Autobrake not available.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2015-19 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLuxury Collection
Seat type leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLuxury Collection
Seat type leather
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 90
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 75
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 68
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation