Cadillac’s new ATS stands out in all the right areas: looks, technology, performance, and luxury are all top-notch. It’s a car balanced precisely between luxury and performance, and one with many strengths and few weaknesses.
With the BMW 3 Series dead in its sights, the ATS exists as the CTS’s sporty little brother, and a machine intended to draw new customers to Cadillac dealers. And though the ATS is now the American luxury brand’s entry-level model, it’s also a flagship car in numerous ways.
Key among them? It puts everything Cadillac knows about technology, lightweight performance and styling into a striking and compact package.
Snugly class, in and out
The tested top-line model was a handsome rig, full of dramatic styling touches like xenon projectors, LED headlamp accents, light-up exterior door handles, dual exhausts, and plenty more.
Inside, black leather, as well as metal and gloss finishes are pure class. The heated leather seats look and feel top-notch, and it’s all fresh, modern and very American. The 2013 Cadillac ATS is more exciting and cutting-edge to look at and interface with than just about any competitor too -- including that 3 Series.
Most will find the cabin in the ATS fits with a sporty snugness -- like a comfy leather glove rather than a giant leather sofa. Visibility is good, at-hand storage is adequate, and there’s even a hidden compartment behind the central control panel to keep your secret stuff away from prying eyes.
Ultra-modern infotainment
On board, the new Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system takes centre stage. After connecting drivers and their Smartphones to the 2013 Cadillac ATS, CUE’s high-resolution glass touchscreen vibrates out a little “click” to confirm your button presses. This is known in tech-talk as “haptic.”
Proximity sensors allow for the display of only vital information until you reach for the screen, eliminating information overload. An auxiliary screen in the instrument cluster references many of the system’s commands and functions, as does the optional heads-up display, which projects onto the windshield.
CUE even uses the same pinch, expand and slide finger gestures as your iPhone or Android. I don't think I've ever felt like I was driving a 321 horsepower Smartphone -- until now.
3.6L of punch
That 321 horsepower came from the tester’s top-line V6, namely a 3.6L unit featuring dual variable overhead cams, direct injection and a creamy-smooth and exotic full-throttle howl. It’s free-revving, eager to be wound out, and boots the 2013 Cadillac ATS along in a serious hurry. Aggressive transmission programming and strong low-end torque help generate instantly gratifying throttle response, too.
And none of that is even the best part about this car.
Magnetic handling
Driven hard, you can feel the efforts of the chassis engineers at work from the first twist of the wheel. The 2013 Cadillac ATS was intended, from the get-go, to be very lightweight and track-ready.
It shows.
Steering is quick, full of feel, and helps drivers confidently lock onto their line. Pushed hard on a handling course, my rear-drive tester rotated and slid beautifully, and the optional Brembo brakes made for remarkably quick and fade-free stops, too. Equipped as such, the tester will pull down from speed several meters quicker than even a comparable BMW 3 Series.
Usually, cars that handle and respond like the ATS ride like they’ve got shocks made of granite, however, Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension keeps the ATS wheels sprung tightly against its body while fine-tuning shock stiffness in real time. Drivers can pick “Sport” and “Tour” suspension calibrations at the touch of a button, too. So it feels sharp, agile and tuned -- but comfortable and laid-back, too. This system, basically, takes the compromise between ride comfort and handling and punches it in the throat.
Ultimately, fitted with the big V6 and “Track Performance” package, the tested unit proved a flattering, thrilling, grin-inducing driving experience that was also admirably well-sorted on long highway drives.
Other business
Other notes from my 2,200 kilometres in the 2013 Cadillac ATS included fantastic nighttime performance from the adaptive xenon headlamps, and reasonably quick, responsive and rev-matched gear changes when requested via the short-click metal shift paddles.
I noted only a few complaints: First, I wish the ATS looked less like a CTS -- since that’s what almost everyone I ran into thought it was. And, if you’re much more than about 5’11, you’ll find limited headroom all around, and limited legroom in the back. This is not a huge car.
Mileage failed to impress on my watch, with an average landing around 11L/100km. Blame the engine’s incomplete break-in (and the driver’s heavy foot) here.
With the BMW 3 Series dead in its sights, the ATS exists as the CTS’s sporty little brother, and a machine intended to draw new customers to Cadillac dealers. And though the ATS is now the American luxury brand’s entry-level model, it’s also a flagship car in numerous ways.
Key among them? It puts everything Cadillac knows about technology, lightweight performance and styling into a striking and compact package.
Snugly class, in and out
The tested top-line model was a handsome rig, full of dramatic styling touches like xenon projectors, LED headlamp accents, light-up exterior door handles, dual exhausts, and plenty more.
Inside, black leather, as well as metal and gloss finishes are pure class. The heated leather seats look and feel top-notch, and it’s all fresh, modern and very American. The 2013 Cadillac ATS is more exciting and cutting-edge to look at and interface with than just about any competitor too -- including that 3 Series.
Most will find the cabin in the ATS fits with a sporty snugness -- like a comfy leather glove rather than a giant leather sofa. Visibility is good, at-hand storage is adequate, and there’s even a hidden compartment behind the central control panel to keep your secret stuff away from prying eyes.
Ultra-modern infotainment
On board, the new Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system takes centre stage. After connecting drivers and their Smartphones to the 2013 Cadillac ATS, CUE’s high-resolution glass touchscreen vibrates out a little “click” to confirm your button presses. This is known in tech-talk as “haptic.”
Proximity sensors allow for the display of only vital information until you reach for the screen, eliminating information overload. An auxiliary screen in the instrument cluster references many of the system’s commands and functions, as does the optional heads-up display, which projects onto the windshield.
CUE even uses the same pinch, expand and slide finger gestures as your iPhone or Android. I don't think I've ever felt like I was driving a 321 horsepower Smartphone -- until now.
3.6L of punch
That 321 horsepower came from the tester’s top-line V6, namely a 3.6L unit featuring dual variable overhead cams, direct injection and a creamy-smooth and exotic full-throttle howl. It’s free-revving, eager to be wound out, and boots the 2013 Cadillac ATS along in a serious hurry. Aggressive transmission programming and strong low-end torque help generate instantly gratifying throttle response, too.
And none of that is even the best part about this car.
Magnetic handling
Driven hard, you can feel the efforts of the chassis engineers at work from the first twist of the wheel. The 2013 Cadillac ATS was intended, from the get-go, to be very lightweight and track-ready.
It shows.
Steering is quick, full of feel, and helps drivers confidently lock onto their line. Pushed hard on a handling course, my rear-drive tester rotated and slid beautifully, and the optional Brembo brakes made for remarkably quick and fade-free stops, too. Equipped as such, the tester will pull down from speed several meters quicker than even a comparable BMW 3 Series.
Usually, cars that handle and respond like the ATS ride like they’ve got shocks made of granite, however, Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension keeps the ATS wheels sprung tightly against its body while fine-tuning shock stiffness in real time. Drivers can pick “Sport” and “Tour” suspension calibrations at the touch of a button, too. So it feels sharp, agile and tuned -- but comfortable and laid-back, too. This system, basically, takes the compromise between ride comfort and handling and punches it in the throat.
Ultimately, fitted with the big V6 and “Track Performance” package, the tested unit proved a flattering, thrilling, grin-inducing driving experience that was also admirably well-sorted on long highway drives.
Other business
Other notes from my 2,200 kilometres in the 2013 Cadillac ATS included fantastic nighttime performance from the adaptive xenon headlamps, and reasonably quick, responsive and rev-matched gear changes when requested via the short-click metal shift paddles.
I noted only a few complaints: First, I wish the ATS looked less like a CTS -- since that’s what almost everyone I ran into thought it was. And, if you’re much more than about 5’11, you’ll find limited headroom all around, and limited legroom in the back. This is not a huge car.
Mileage failed to impress on my watch, with an average landing around 11L/100km. Blame the engine’s incomplete break-in (and the driver’s heavy foot) here.
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