Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 Cadillac CTS-V VS 2016 Chevrolet SS Near Phoenix, AZ

The CTS-V’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The SS doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front and rear (child comfort guides) seat shoulder belts of the Cadillac CTS-V are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet SS doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the CTS-V and the SS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, collision warning systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The CTS-V comes with a full 4-year/50,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24 hour roadside assistance. The SS’ 3-year/36,000 mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 14,000 miles sooner.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CTS-V 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Chevrolet covers the SS. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the SS ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The CTS-V’s 6 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the SS runs out after 100,000 miles.

Cadillac pays for scheduled maintenance on the CTS-V for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Chevrolet pays for maintenance for the SS (4/50,000 vs. 2/24,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 9th.

The CTS-V’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 225 more horsepower (640 vs. 415) and 215 lbs.-ft. more torque (630 vs. 415) than the SS’ 6.2 V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac CTS-V is faster than the Chevrolet SS:

The CTS-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The SS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the CTS-V’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SS:

The CTS-V stops much shorter than the SS:

For better traction, the CTS-V has larger tires than the SS (F:265/35R19 & R:295/30R19 vs. F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19).

The CTS-V’s 265/35R19 front and 295/30R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SS’ standard 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

The CTS-V has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The SS doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The CTS-V handles at .98 G’s, while the SS pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CTS-V executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the SS (24.2 seconds @ .88 average G’s vs. 25.2 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the CTS-V has an electronically controlled liquid-filled engine mounts. A computer controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The SS uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The CTS-V uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The SS doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The CTS-V has 1.7 inches more front headroom and 3.4 inches more front legroom than the SS.

The CTS-V’s optional rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The SS doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the CTS-V. The SS doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The CTS-V’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The SS doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CTS-V’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The SS’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

On a hot day the CTS-V’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the SS can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CTS-V 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 SS doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the CTS-V detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The SS doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the CTS-V to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The SS doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Both the CTS-V and the SS have standard heated front seats. The CTS-V also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the SS.

On extremely cold Winter days, the CTS-V’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The SS doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The CTS-V offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The SS doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The CTS VSport was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 6 of the last 8 years. The SS has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CTS as their 2014 Car of the Year. The SS has never been chosen.

The CTS-V was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2014. The SS has never been an “All Star.”