Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2005 Dodge Viper VS 2005 Cadillac XLR Near Scottsdale, AZ

Both the Viper and the XLR have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks and four wheel antilock brakes.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Viper 3 years and 20,000 miles longer than Cadillac covers the XLR. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 7 years and 70,000 miles. Coverage on the XLR ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 2 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the Viper’s warranty.

The battery on the Viper is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures, which can degrade battery life. By keeping the Viper’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The XLR’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The Viper’s 8.3 V10 produces 180 more horsepower (500 vs. 320) and 215 lbs.-ft. more torque (525 vs. 310) than the XLR’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

For better stopping power the Viper’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XLR:

The Viper stops much shorter than the XLR:

For better traction, the Viper has larger tires than the XLR (F:275/35R18 & R:345/30R19 vs. 235/50R18).

The Viper’s 275/35R18 front and 345/30R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) which provides a stiffer sidewall than the XLR’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Viper has standard 19 inch rear wheels. Only 18 inch wheels are available on the XLR.

The Dodge Viper’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Cadillac XLR only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The front and rear suspension of the Viper uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XLR, which uses transverse leafs springs. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Viper handles at 1.00 G’s, while the XLR pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Viper goes through Motor Trend’s slalom 6.4 MPH faster than the XLR (70.4 vs. 64 MPH).

The Dodge Viper may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the Cadillac XLR.

The Viper has a much larger trunk with its top up than the XLR with its top up (7 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

The Viper has standard lighted power door lock and power window switches so that they are easily found at night. The XLR doesn’t have lighted switches.

Wireless connectivity is available on the Viper, connecting the driver and passenger’s cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Cadillac doesn’t offer a wireless connectivity on the XLR.