IIHS Crash Tests Cadillac XT5, Rates It Top Safety Pick+

In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, crashworthiness refers to the following tests: small overlap front (see video), moderate overlap, side, roof strength, head restraints and seats. All of them were completed by the 2017 Cadillac XT5 with flying colors, also known as “good” ratings. As for crash avoidance and mitigation, the IIHS rated the sport utility vehicle “superior.”

Then again, that rating comes courtesy of a couple of optional extras (front automatic braking and low-speed front automatic braking), which the XT5 includes in the Driver Assist Package. Provided that the customer pays for the said package, the XT5 can automatically reduce the velocity from 25 mph to 1 mph in the IIHS track test. In the low-speed test (12 mph), the mid-size crossover SUV from Cadillac has completely avoided a collision.

An area where the 2017 Cadillac XT5 could do better is child seat anchors ease of use. According to the IIHS, the lower anchors are located too deep in the seat, while other hardware could be confused for the anchor. Two of the rear seating positions in the XT5 come with the complete child seat attachment hardware, while the middle seat makes do with a tether anchor.

Being a high-riding vehicle, roof strength is another aspect customers are interested in when buying a crossover SUV. The 2017 Cadillac XT5 can withstand up to 19,840 pounds (9,000 kilograms). For reference, the curb weight of a Cadillac XT5 Luxury 4WD is 4,267 pounds (1,935 kilograms).

Priced from $38,995 sans destination charge, the 2017 Cadillac XT5 is the model that replaces the tried-and-tested SRX. Regardless of specification, the XT5 comes with a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 and an 8-speed auto.