2013 Cadillac ATS review

This is a damn fine small sedan, and I can honestly say it’s the first new Cadillac I could visualize myself owning in … well, ever. 

The chassis stiffness, suspension damping, braking and steering feel on the ATS are just about perfect Photo by Cadillac.

I was fortunate enough to have the 2013 Cadillac ATS 2.0L Turbo for five days, using it as my commuter, a shuttle, a kid-schlepper and, on two occasions, a corner-carver. Each time I came upon the ATS in a parking lot or climbed into it in the driveway, I got a smile on my face and found myself looking forward to what lay ahead.

But why? What makes this little Caddy so different? I dig the knife-edge styling, which I think is proportioned better on the ATS than any previous Art & Science-era Cadillac. There’s just the right amount of angular aggression without meandering into dumpy (the face of the CTS) or overwrought (the CTS coupe).

Mainly though, it’s the chassis. The ATS 2.0T had me uttering words I haven’t spoken in years: “This car feels 500 pounds lighter than it is.” The chassis stiffness, suspension damping, braking and steering feel on the ATS are just about perfect. It’s fun to throw around, and I prefer it to the Mercedes-Benz C-class, BMW 3-series, Lexus IS or anything else in the category, for that matter.

Where the car still falls short is the powertrain. Don’t get me wrong -- the 2.0 turbo I4 is the engine to have in the ATS, vastly better in this car than the 3.6-liter V6. The transmission is still flabby, though, even in so-called sport mode; I prefer this engine to the turbo BMW I4, but the Caddy’s gearbox just can’t compete with the BMW’s eight-speed automatic. I haven’t driven an ATS with the six-speed manual, so that may be the solution, but given the popularity of AWD (and the fact the manual is only offered with RWD), the automatic is where most buyers will end up.

We prefer the turbocharged I4 over the optional V6 in the Cadillac Photo by Cadillac.

Now about that price … suffice it to say most folks won’t be paying MSRP for an ATS, and a comparably equipped BMW 328i xDrive or Audi A4 Prestige runs about the same (if not more). So should GM discount the ATS a bit to get more interest from potential BMW/Benz/Audi/Lexus customers, or maintain price parity to avoid the “cheap alternative to a real luxury sedan” label? It appears Cadillac has chosen the latter -- time will tell if that strategy pays off.

The reality is that a careful buyer can spec out any of these cars for significantly less than top MSRP. And the buyer who selects an ATS has done well indeed. 

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I like this car a bunch. When I first saw the car, I thought the styling was a bit dull, but it’s starting to grow on me. I guess in the long run I would grow to appreciate what I consider conservative styling, I think it will look good longer than had GM designers gone with something more CTS-ish. As Stoy says, there’s “just the right amount of angular aggression without meandering into dumpy (the face of the CTS) or overwrought (the CTS coupe).” Like I said, it’s growing on me.

The chassis is outstanding and is the best part of the car. Really dialed-in and the ride is near perfect for my tastes, with just the right amount of road feel without being beat up as a driver or passengers. It’s composed and responsive and easy to drive hard or not hard when trundling around town for that matter. I’m impressed. 

I like the turbo four, just as I like it in the Chevrolet Malibu. There’s good power when you want it and docile cruising when you want that. That the car has all-wheel drive but still feels as light on its feet as it does is impressive. Overall, I believe this car is a real contender up against the C-class and 3-series. When could I have said that before about a Cadillac? Never. 

The car's interior is solid and overall can go toe to toe with the 3-series and the C-class Photo by Cadillac .

One small beef with this engine: There’s a droning on the highway that about drove me mad. It’s not loud, but it’s constant. And once I knew it was there, it bugged me. Yeah, turning up the stereo took care of it, but still…

Also, while I hate adaptive cruise control, looking at the specs above it looks like I could get the car without that and save some money in the process.

So the ATS has great chassis, good engine and is nice to look at. Here’s what could be the most important thing for Caddy in my opinion: When I first drove the ATS home, my 15-year-old came out of the house and said “Nice car!!!” That is the kind of reaction Cadillac needs from young’uns.

2013 Cadillac ATS 2.0L Turbo Premium

Base Price: $46,890

As-Tested Price: $51,105

Drivetrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4; AWD, six-speed automatic

Output: 272 hp @ 5,500 rpm, 260 lb-ft @ 1,700-5,500 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,543 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 20/30/24 mpg

AW Observed Fuel Economy: 18.3 mpg

Options: Driver Assist package including adaptive cruise control, side blind-zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear automatic braking and automatic collision preparation ($3,220); Cold Weather package including driver and front passenger heated seats and heated steering wheel ($600); advanced security package including tamper resistant theft deterrent alarm system, tilt sensor, full filler door, remote lock, locking wheel lugs and steering column lock ($395)