Cadillac CTS earns top safety award

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Noooo. Quite a few of GM's cars are heavier without getting the Top Safety Ratings. And the 9-3 and 9-5 are quite trim, yet manages the Top Safety and 5-Star Ratings.

Isn't Sigma all aluminum? Or mostly aluminum? The car should be lighter.

In either case, Cadillac better start advertising the safety award. Use Kate Walsh again, if they have to. Just promote this!!!

When I was waiting for the SRX to get its Key FOB recall completed, there was a couple in the showroom looking at the CTS, and the fact that it had not yet been rated (they have the NHTSA ratings on the sticker) was, apparently, a big sticking point.

[MechEng]

Originally Posted by usa1

Here's the main reason the CTS is about 300 pounds too heavy - to pass the insurance industry's crash tests.

The IIHS's tests doesn't care about fuel efficiency, performance, or anything except promoting cars that will help its keep insurance costs down. There's good and bad in that.

Mark

Actually the CTS is overweight because it was designed from the begining to be strong/stiff enough to handle the power of the CTS-V.

[Tony's BlkGTP]

Originally Posted by Buick61

You guys are high on the Kool Aid.

There are plenty of cars that are Top Safety Picks that aren't candidates for the next season of America's Biggest Loser.

You say all that, but where is your list to back up your statement?? On the other hand, this is awesome news to hear. Congrats to you GM and Cadillac.

[Ambalanche]

Originally Posted by Buick61

When I was waiting for the SRX to get its Key FOB recall completed, there was a couple in the showroom looking at the CTS, and the fact that it had not yet been rated (they have the NHTSA ratings on the sticker) was, apparently, a big sticking point.

If that was really a "sticking point" the salesman must not have done his job. Give me a freaking break! "Oh, honey, it's so heavy, and has airbags comeing out of every nook and crany, But, is it safe? we better wait until we hear what the crash test results are. Yeah, and then what Consumer Reports says" PULEEZZZEEE- They didn't deserve one! NO SALE, go buy a Volvo!

[Butz]

All thanks to the talented men and women at Cadillac, I applaud them

[mbukukanyau]

It better be safe. Its a fat pig

[osv_alero]

I'm just happy to see Cadillac at the top of all the list now days. Top in saftey, quality, ride and handling, looks, and ok weight. Cadillacs have never been known to be corolla light, but who cares. They are beautiful cars that are great to drive and keep the family safe. Besides, they still get the same gas mileage as the lighter weight counter parts from Japan.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by motorman

30/40 MPG don't mean much if you can't survive a crash. it just means your family can afford a higher price casket with the money you saved on gasoline. i bet a lot of people who complain about the price of gasoline have 50" flat screen TVs in their house

Yeah, in fact, it'll make you even less safe seeing as how most cars that get 30/40 mpg are puny metal death traps.

[bone]

I recently read an a review on the new Volvo Cross-Country. A very positive review except for the comments on how much heavier it is than the old model. It seems that all cars have gained significant weight with each new model because the manufacturer want a 5-star safety rating and low NVH. The CTS is heavy but it is still a wonderful vehicle that richly deserves the awards it has recieved.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

If that was really a "sticking point" the salesman must not have done his job. Give me a freaking break! "Oh, honey, it's so heavy, and has airbags comeing out of every nook and crany, But, is it safe? we better wait until we hear what the crash test results are. Yeah, and then what Consumer Reports says" PULEEZZZEEE- They didn't deserve one! NO SALE, go buy a Volvo!

No, sorry, WRONG.

The Honda CRV aced the IIHS crash tests against the Saturn Vue, and it's 600 pounds lighter depending upon options.

A vehicle does not have to be heavy to be safe. The CTS' weight did not guarantee that it would be a crash safety success. I'm thrilled that it is, but it was emphatically not guaranteed just because the car is heavy for its size.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Yeah, in fact, it'll make you even less safe seeing as how most cars that get 30/40 mpg are puny metal death traps.

i call them "2 man coffins"

[Ambalanche]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

No, sorry, WRONG.

The Honda CRV aced the IIHS crash tests against the Saturn Vue, and it's 600 pounds lighter depending upon options.

A vehicle does not have to be heavy to be safe. The CTS' weight did not guarantee that it would be a crash safety success. I'm thrilled that it is, but it was emphatically not guaranteed just because the car is heavy for its size.

Sure I understand, but the fact that it has side impact airbags, side curtain airbags, front airbags, stability control, traction control, antilock brakes, crumple zones, etc.... I mean, what do you want? If a Mack truck hits you going 70 and your sitting still, guess what. Know what I mean?

[mikesright]

Another complaint about the CTS's weight? The Vue's? We know they're not only safer than the competition, but they're also overall, better vehicles.

[monza164]

I'll take light weight over safety any day.

But then again I'm a young male full of recklessness. Probably not the market Cadillac is going for

[member12]

Originally Posted by Buick61

You guys are high on the Kool Aid.

There are plenty of cars that are Top Safety Picks that aren't candidates for the next season of America's Biggest Loser.

From what I understand, the CTS and the newer Saturn Vue (along with Volvos and Mercedes) are designed to perform well with American and Euro crash test, which are not the same thing.

It partially explains the weight issue, but I say that since the CTS is designed to ace a variety of crash test, that it is a very safe car.

American test care more about frontal and sidce test, where European test are conducted on the roof and rear impact as much as the frontal test. When you take that to account, it's weight is acceptable compared to the BMW 5 series, Volvo S80, and the Mercedes E class (which are about the same size as the CTS).