Motor Press Guild Names 2013 Cadillac ATS Its Vehicle of the Year

For a car known as a lightweight, the 2013 Cadillac ATS certainly seems to be weighing heavily on the minds of North American auto journalists. Consider: After recently winning this year’s title as the Motor Press Guild’s Vehicle of the Year, the ATS has now captured four notable year-end honors from the continent’s media outlets, also including:

• Esquire Magazine—Car of the Year
• Popular Mechanics—Luxury Car of the Year
• Automobile Journalists Association of Canada—Best New Luxury Car of the Year

The latest recognition for the 2013 Cadillac ATS comes from the largest automotive media association in North America, and saw the car take on five other finalists—the 2013 Ford Fuson, 2013 Honda Accord, 2013 Nissan Altima, 2013 Scion FR-S and 2013 Subaru BRZ—in a two-day track battle that culminated in a decisive victory for the Cadillac.

“In many ways, the ATS is a breakthrough vehicle for Cadillac,” said Laura Burstein, president of the Motor Press Guild. “Not only is it smaller and leaner than other Cadillacs on the market, it’s the first American luxury car that truly goes head-to-head with compact luxury sport sedans from well-known European and Asian brands. Our members remarked that the ATS is capable on both the street and the track, offers a well-made and attractive interior, is replete with the latest technology and—perhaps most importantly—is fun to drive.”

“The ATS is the result of an extensive, all new, ground-up mission to deliver a segment-winning vehicle,” added Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. “It is especially rewarding when our efforts are recognized and awarded by a large and influential panel of automotive experts.”

(Note: Testing for the Motor Press Guild’s Vehicle of the Year recognition occurred in October, with the actual award to be presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 29, 2012.)