InSure

Many automotive buyers who treat themselves to a sophisticated model in a luxury vehicle class may assume that all elite SUV models have very similar safety ratings.

When you examine the many test results prepared by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for this class of vehicles, however, you may be surprised to notice considerable variations between the various models.

You may be most concerned with the IIHS safety test results for the Audi and Cadillac midsize luxury SUV models when looking at the vehicles in this class because these vehicles are the main options that you are focusing your eyes on.

For the majority of the IIHS test results, you will see that these models have similar ratings, but there are a few important test areas where they differ. Make sure to compare rates with our free quote tool above! 

Because these variations could play a role in your safety level on the road as well as in your auto insurance rates, a closer look at the test results is in order.

Comparing the Audi Q5 against the Cadillac XT5

A closer analysis of the IIHS test results for the 2017 Cadillac XT5 and the 2017 Audi Q5 can provide you with important information that you need to make an educated buying decision.

As you take a closer look at the IIHS safety test results for luxury midsize SUVs, you will see that the results are broken down into eight unique safety sections, and these are distributed across three larger safety classifications.

You will also notice that seven of the IIHS safety test results have a potential rating of:

• Good
• Average
• Marginal
• Poor

Only the Front Crash Prevention safety category has a unique classification for vehicles. For this category, you will notice that the vehicles may have a “basic” rating, an “advanced” rating, or a “superior” rating.

Crashworthiness

One of the largest and most significant safety categories reviewed by the IIHS is the Crashworthiness section, which is analyzed across critical areas such as Roof Strength, Front Moderate Overlap, Front Side Overlap, Head Restraints and Seats, and Side.

These safety areas analyze the SUV’s overall ability to prevent injuries and to keep passengers safe if a collision occurs.

The Audi and Cadillac models reviewed in 2017 both received the highest possible marks of “good” in all five of these areas.

Crash Avoidance and Mitigation

The test results for these important safety areas examine how well an SUV may deter accidents or may mitigate their severity.

While both the Audi and the Cadillac had a “superior” result for the Front Crash Prevention section, the Cadillac had a slightly higher overall “superior” rate in this area.

However, both of these luxury midsize SUV models only were rated as “marginal” for the Headlights safety category, which is only one grade above “poor.”

LATCH for the Child Seat Anchors

The final IIHS safety category that was analyzed for this vehicle class in 2017 is the LATCH safety section. This unique safety category provides you with information about how easily a driver may fasten a child safety seat to the SUV’s anchors or latches in the SUV’s backseat.

The Audi Q5 for 2017 received a “good” LATCH score, but the Cadillac XT5 only had an “average” score for this safety category.

2017 Top Safety Pick and/or 2017 Top Safety Pick+

To simplify your understanding of the many test results, the IIHS has created the Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ accolades.

Both of these safety-related accolades require a higher score for the area of Front Crash Prevention and the highest “good” score for all five of the Crashworthiness sections.

In addition, the Top Safety Pick+ accolade requires at least an “average” score for the Headlights safety area.

Neither of these two SUV models received the Top Safety Pick+ award for 2017. However, both of them were honored for their high ratings in most categories with the 2017 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.

The IIHS did rank the Cadillac model slightly ahead of the Audi overall.

Is Cadillac safer than Audi in 2017 for midsize luxury SUVs?

Because the safety ratings for the Cadillac and Audi ratings are similar and because they both received the Top Safety Pick acknowledgment for 2017, you may believe that they are similar in the area of safety.

However, the Cadillac model had a better rating in the Front Crash Prevention category, and the Audi had a higher rating in the Latch category.

When you are trying to decide which of these two luxury midsize SUV models to purchase, you may find that one of the different categories is more important or relevant to your use of the SUV than the other.

Analyze the Cost of Insurance

Safety ratings are only one of many factors that car insurance companies review when you request a new quote for auto coverage on a luxury midsize SUV.

Because the premium on your new SUV’s insurance policy will affect the overall cost of ownership for potentially years to come, it is important to request multiple quotes for both of these models before you finalize your buying decision.

In addition to comparing insurance costs for these two SUV models, you should also pay attention to the following variables:

• fuel efficiency rating
• the sales price
• the standard features that come with the SUV’s base price

When you focus on all aspects of the buying decision, you can more clearly see which of these luxury vehicles is a best-fit for your transportation needs. Don’t miss out on our free quote tool below! Just enter your zip code and start comparing rates now!

Safety Comparisons

13.12.2017 / safety comparison / safety ratings