The 2019 Cadillac Xt5 stands as a popular luxury crossover SUV, offering a blend of style, comfort, and technology. For families and safety-conscious buyers, understanding its safety performance is paramount. This detailed review delves into the 2019 Cadillac XT5’s safety ratings, providing an in-depth look at how this vehicle performs in various crash tests and safety evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Built as the successor to the Cadillac SRX, the XT5 aims to provide not only a premium driving experience but also robust protection for its occupants.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test is designed to simulate what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or a fixed object like a tree or utility pole. This is a particularly challenging test because it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the vehicle. The 2019 Cadillac XT5 underwent this rigorous test, and the results are highly encouraging for prospective owners.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
The Cadillac XT5 achieved a “Good” rating, the highest possible, in the small overlap front crash test. This “Good” rating extends across all critical aspects, including the vehicle’s structure, safety cage integrity, driver injury measures, and the effectiveness of restraints and dummy kinematics.
Action shot during Cadillac XT5 small overlap frontal crash test, demonstrating vehicle deformation and airbag deployment
The structural performance of the 2019 Cadillac XT5 in this demanding test was commendable. The safety cage held up exceptionally well, maintaining the vital survival space for the driver. Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side further illustrate the minimal deformation:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 1 |
| Footrest (cm) | 3 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 8 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 1 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 1 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 1 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 1 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 1 |
These measurements confirm minimal intrusion into the driver’s space, contributing to the excellent protection offered by the XT5 in this type of collision.
Post-crash driver-side view of the 2019 Cadillac XT5, highlighting the intact survival space and deployed airbags
Analysis of driver injury measures further reinforces the “Good” rating. All body regions assessed – head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot – received “Good” ratings, indicating a low risk of significant injuries in a real-world crash scenario of similar severity.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 129 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.5 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 23 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.23 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 24 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.3 |
| Right | 0.6 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 2 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.41 |
| Right | 0.29 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.2 |
| Right | 1.4 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 51 |
| Right | 51 |
Frontal and side curtain airbags deploying effectively in the 2019 Cadillac XT5 small overlap crash test, protecting the driver’s head
The effectiveness of the driver restraints and airbag system was also rated “Good.” The frontal and side curtain airbags worked in concert to manage the dummy’s movement, preventing the head from making dangerous contact with vehicle structures or external objects. This coordinated performance of safety systems is crucial in mitigating potential injuries in a crash.
Driver’s side footwell area of the 2019 Cadillac XT5 post-small overlap crash, showing the maintained space and reduced risk of lower extremity injuries
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Evaluation
The moderate overlap front test is another critical assessment of frontal crash protection, simulating a collision where a significant portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier. While less severe than the small overlap test, it remains a crucial indicator of overall frontal crashworthiness. The 2019 Cadillac XT5 also achieved a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Leg/foot, left | Good |
| Leg/foot, right | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
Similar to the small overlap test, the “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front test encompasses all evaluated categories, including overall performance, structural integrity, driver injury measures, and restraint effectiveness.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 3 |
| Left (cm) | 7 |
| Center (cm) | 6 |
| Right (cm) | 5 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 3 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 1 |
| Rearward (cm) | 0 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 135 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 7 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.16 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 29 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 0.5 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.3 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.53 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.46 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.1 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 3.4 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 38 |
| Right | 89 |
Side Crash Test: Original Evaluation
Side-impact collisions pose significant risks, and the side crash test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in such scenarios. The 2019 Cadillac XT5 once again demonstrated its robust safety design by achieving a “Good” rating in the side crash test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/leg | Good |
| Driver head protection | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/leg | Good |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good |
The “Good” rating applies not only to driver protection but also to rear passenger protection, indicating a consistent level of safety for all occupants in a side impact. The structure and safety cage maintained their integrity, and all injury measures for both driver and rear passenger were rated “Good.”
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | VTS1616 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -20.0 |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 156 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.5 |
| Compression (kN) | 1.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.6 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 33 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.75 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.40 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.2 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.6 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 33 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 20 |
Passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 179 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.5 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 33 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.9 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 33 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 23 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.47 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.40 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.4 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.5 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.7 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 33 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 24 |
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is crucial in rollover accidents. The 2019 Cadillac XT5 demonstrated a “Good” roof strength rating, indicating its ability to withstand forces in a rollover scenario and protect occupants.
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,267 lbs |
| Peak force | 19,840 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.65 |
The strength-to-weight ratio of 4.65 significantly exceeds the IIHS requirement, further confirming the robust roof structure of the 2019 XT5.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
Good head restraints and seat design are essential to prevent whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2019 Cadillac XT5’s power leather seats and head restraints earned a “Good” rating in this evaluation.
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good |
Technical measurements for this test
| Seat type | Power leather seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 22 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 30 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 13.6 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 57 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 60 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 470 |
Headlight Ratings
Headlight performance is a critical aspect of nighttime safety. The IIHS evaluates headlights based on visibility and glare. The 2019 Cadillac XT5 offers different headlight options depending on the trim level.
LED Headlamp Package (Luxury, Premium Luxury, Platinum trims)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Marginal |
The LED projector headlights available on higher trims received a “Marginal” overall rating. While equipped with high-beam assist, low beam visibility was good on the straightaway left but only fair on the right, and inadequate on curves. High beam visibility was inadequate across the board, although high-beam assist offers some compensation.
Halogen Projector Headlights (Luxury trim)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Poor |
The Halogen projector headlights on the Luxury trim (and Base trim, although not explicitly listed for 2019) performed worse, receiving a “Poor” overall rating. Visibility was fair on straightaways and inadequate on curves for both low and high beams. High-beam assist provides some improvement, but the base halogen headlights are a weak point.
Halogen Projector Headlights (Base trim)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Poor |
The base trim with Halogen projector headlights and no high-beam assist also received a “Poor” rating, with similar visibility limitations as the Luxury trim’s Halogen option.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are increasingly important in mitigating or preventing frontal collisions. The 2019 Cadillac XT5 offers optional front crash prevention features with varying levels of performance.
Forward Automatic Braking (Optional Driver Assist Package)
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
The optional Forward Automatic Braking system, part of the Driver Assist Package, earned a “Superior” rating. It successfully avoided a collision in the 12 mph test and significantly reduced impact speed by 24 mph in the 25 mph test. This system also meets forward collision warning requirements.
Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking (Optional Luxury Driver Awareness Package or Premium Luxury Trim)
| Overall evaluation | Advanced |
The Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking system, available with the Luxury Driver Awareness Package or Premium Luxury Trim, received an “Advanced” rating. It also avoided a collision at 12 mph but only reduced impact speed by 9 mph in the 25 mph test. Like the superior system, it includes forward collision warning.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
For families, the ease of installing child seats is a key safety consideration. The 2019 Cadillac XT5 received an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system.
| Overall evaluation | Acceptable |
|---|---|
| Vehicle trim | Luxury |
| Seat type | leather |
The XT5 has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and one additional position with only a tether anchor. While rated “Acceptable” overall, some lower anchor positions were noted as being deep in the seat, potentially requiring more effort to attach child seat connectors.
Details by seating position
| Position | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acceptable |
| Tether anchor | easy-to-find location, other hardware could be confused for anchor |
| Lower anchors | not too deep in seat, not too much force needed to attach, easy to maneuver around anchors |
| 2 | Acceptable |
| Tether anchor | easy-to-find location, other hardware could be confused for anchor |
| Lower anchors | none available |
| 3 | Acceptable |
| Tether anchor | easy-to-find location, other hardware could be confused for anchor |
| Lower anchors | too deep in seat, not too much force needed to attach, easy to maneuver around anchors |
Conclusion: 2019 Cadillac XT5 – A Safe Choice
The 2019 Cadillac XT5 demonstrates strong safety performance in critical crash tests, earning “Good” ratings across the board in small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints & seats evaluations. These results underscore the robust structural design and effective safety systems of the XT5 in protecting occupants in various collision scenarios.
While headlight ratings are “Marginal” or “Poor” depending on the trim and chosen package, and the LATCH system is rated “Acceptable”, the core crashworthiness of the 2019 Cadillac XT5 is undeniably excellent. The availability of “Superior” and “Advanced” front crash prevention systems as optional features further enhances its safety profile.
For buyers prioritizing safety in a luxury SUV, the 2019 Cadillac XT5 offers a compelling package, particularly when equipped with the optional forward collision mitigation technologies. Understanding these safety ratings allows consumers to make informed decisions and appreciate the comprehensive safety engineering built into the 2019 Cadillac XT5.
