Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2015 Chrysler 300 VS 2015 Cadillac CTS Near Scottsdale, AZ

The 300 has standard Reactive Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Reactive Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CTS Sedan doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the 300 and the CTS Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chrysler 300 is safer than the Cadillac CTS Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chrysler 300 is safer than the Cadillac CTS Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Chrysler’s powertrain warranty covers the 300 30,000 miles longer than Cadillac covers the CTS Sedan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CTS Sedan ends after only 70,000 miles.

There are over 86 percent more Chrysler dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 300’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2014 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chrysler vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chrysler 11th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 13th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chrysler 300 V8 is faster than the Cadillac CTS Sedan V6:

On the EPA test cycle the 300 gets better fuel mileage than the CTS Sedan:

An engine control system that can shut down half of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 300 V8’s fuel efficiency. The CTS Sedan doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chrysler 300 uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended with the 5.7 V8 engine for maximum performance). The CTS Sedan Vsport requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The 300 stops shorter than the CTS Sedan:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 300 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The CTS Sedan’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The 300 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the CTS Sedan, it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 300’s wheelbase is 5.6 inches longer than on the CTS Sedan (120.2 inches vs. 114.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 300 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CTS Sedan.

The 300S handles at .85 G’s, while the CTS Sedan Luxury AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the 300S is quieter than the CTS Sedan Vsport (39 vs. 41 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the 300 is rated a Large car by the EPA, while the CTS Sedan is rated a Mid-size.

The 300 has 9.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CTS Sedan (106.3 vs. 97).

The 300 has 2.4 inches more front hip room, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 4.7 inches more rear legroom, 2.8 inches more rear hip room and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the CTS Sedan.

The 300 has a much larger trunk than the CTS Sedan (16.3 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

The 300 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The CTS Sedan doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The 300’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The CTS Sedan’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 300 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CTS Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Insurance will cost less for the 300 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 300 will cost $395 less than the CTS Sedan over a five-year period.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chrysler 300 will be $11525 to $22461 less than for the Cadillac CTS Sedan.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chrysler 300, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Chrysler 300 outsold the Cadillac CTS by 72% during the 2014 model year.