2008 Cadillac DTS Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 50 DTS reviews and test drives.
Cadillac DTS Safety Review
Safety - 7.7 (Good)
While the DTS performed admirably in crash test ratings, some auto reviewers note that it lacks notable advanced safety features which are available standard or as options in comparable cars of this class.
MSN acknowledges the standard safety features on the DTS, but then is disappointed that "some safety items available on other luxury cars aren't on the DTS, even as options."
In government crash tests, the DTS earned five out of five stars for driver frontal crash protection and four out of five for passenger protection. It also earned a four out of five star rating for both front and rear seat side impact safety. The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety gave the DTS its highest crash-test rating of "good" for frontal offset testing and "acceptable" for side impact test results.
Accident Avoidance
The DTS baseline V8 comes standard with all-speed traction control and 4-wheel antilock brakes. The DTS Luxury I, Luxury II and Performance trim levels come standard with Brake Assist and StabiliTraK, which is an electronic vehicle stability control system. While traction control is standard on the base level DTS, Forbes finds that making StabiliTrak "only available as part of costly options packages," surprising For example, pre-collision safety systems that work in advance of an impending crash to help prepare occupants for the impact are available from Mercedes and Lexus, and BMW helps wet-weather braking performance via its automatic brake drying system.
Crash Protection
All 2008 Cadillac DTS trim levels come with dual-stage frontal air bags with a Passenger Sensing System and side-impact air bags for the driver and front passenger, head-curtain and side-impact air bags for front and rear seating. The standard one-year OnStar system, with the Directions and Connections plan, has a few notable safety services such as notification of air bag deployment, remote door unlock, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, Emergency Services and Roadside Assistance.
