New Cadillac CT5 Earns Poor Ratings in All Four IIHS Safety Tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released its latest new vehicle safety test results, revealing that the 2026 Cadillac CT5 received a "Poor" rating in all four key evaluations: moderate overlap front crash, side crash, headlight performance, and the updated front crash prevention system test. The CT5 was the only new vehicle from Detroit’s Big Three automakers eligible for this round of testing. In the moderate overlap front crash test, although the vehicle’s structure earned a "Good" rating, rear occupant protection was inadequate, with high risk of head and chest injuries to the dummy and excessive forward movement. During the side crash test, intrusion of the B-pillar into the occupant compartment exceeded expectations, and the side airbags failed to prevent the dummy from striking the lower edge of the window, increasing injury risk for the driver. The CT5 also fell short of basic requirements in both headlight and front crash prevention tests. The IIHS noted that many of these test standards have been in place for years, and the CT5’s performance significantly lags behind current market-leading vehicles. The institute’s senior vice president of vehicle research stated it is uncommon for a vehicle to receive "Poor" ratings across so many categories simultaneously and questioned whether General Motors sufficiently prioritized safety during the mid-cycle refresh. That update, introduced in 2025, focused primarily on exterior styling changes without modifying the vehicle’s underlying structure. General Motors responded by stating that vehicle safety remains its top priority and highlighted that the CT5 has earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The company said it respects the IIHS findings and will use them to inform future vehicle improvements. A total of nine vehicles were tested in this round. Four earned the highest "Top Safety Pick+" designation: the Audi A6, BMW X1, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. Other lower-performing models, such as the Audi A3 and Lexus IS, did not receive multiple "Poor" ratings in the same set of tests.