Underpinned by the modern GM Alpha platform, the 2015 Cadillac CTS sedan isn't just a comfortable and agile vehicle, but a pretty safe one as well. Thanks to a selection of high strength steel and some aluminum, its chassis is both lightweight and strong enough.
The safety watchdogs from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration were not impressed by what the GM Alpha chassis promises on paper, so they took several CTS sedans from the 2015 model year and crash tested them to see how sturdy the CTS really is.
Weighing 3,786 pounds (1,717 kg), the $45k mid-size luxury sedan isn't a featerweight all things considered, but it can sure take some abuse. In the 35 mph (56 km/h) crash into a fixed barrier, the 2015 Cadillac CTS sedan fared so well, the NHTSA gave it 5 stars.
In the side crash scenario (intersection-type crash), performed at 38.5 mph (62 km/h), it was also rated 5 stars thanks to the pretty good level of protection the Caddy offers in such a situation. Last but not least, the rollover accident was also a doodle for the 2015 CTS, with the NHTSA awarding it 5 shiny stars.
As a brief reminder, the sedan's body shell incorporates crumple zones that absorb the crash energy. If inertia is your biggest fear in a crash scenario, the Cadillac CTS softens the blow thanks to its standard 10 airbags, which include knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, joined by some side-impact airbags.
The 2015 upcoming Cadillac CTS coupe hasn't been tested by the NHTSA yet, but do expect similar results.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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