Cadillac XT6 Fares Poorly In IIHS Updated Side Crash Test: Video

The Cadillac XT6 has lost its Top Safety Pick+ Award recommendation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), as it did not perform well in an updated side crash test. 

The new side impact test found that the Cadillac XT6 does not sufficiently protect rear passengers from torso injuries, earning a “P” rating instead of a perfect “G.” However, the XT6 did present satisfactory results in all other areas of measurement, earning a good score when it comes to preventing injuries to the driver in the head/neck, torso, and pelvis. It also performed well against head/neck and pelvis injuries to rear passengers, along with providing excellent head protection. The XT6 was also commended for its overall structure and safety cage.

Due to the poor performance in the side impact test for rear passengers, the IIHS stripped the XT6 of its Top Safety Pick+ Award, which it earned in 2020, 2021 and 2022. 

The IIHS notes that about 25 percent of passenger vehicle deaths are caused by side impacts, and that protecting passengers in the event of such an accident is difficult due to the lack of structure in the area to absorb energy. Additionally, it’s challenging to create a safe vehicle that also protects shorter passengers in such impacts, as they are more likely to have their heads struck in an impact.

In order to simulate a side impact crash, the updated test uses a 4,200-pound barrier traveling at 37 mph, which is more representative of modern vehicles than the 3,300-pound barrier used previously. As such, while the Cadillac XT6 performed well against the lighter barrier, the updated simulation is harder on the luxury crossover. 

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