Cadillac ATS Video Road Test & Review

The Cadillac ATS is a compact premium sedan that is designed to take on vehicles like the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.  The four-door Cadillac ATS is the first true entry-level luxury car built by the domestic brand that was designed from the ground up - not rebadged - in order to compete in this very tight segment of the market.  Safety features included with the Cadillac ATS show as electronic stability control and traction control, seat-mounted side airbags, forward airbags, side curtain airbags, and knee airbags for both forward occupants.

The Cadillac ATS starts out with a 202 horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood that is also good for 190 horsepower.  Fuel mileage for this engine is rated at 22-mpg city and 33-mpg highway - which are the same figures quoted for the vehicle's available 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder motor, despite this unit's 272 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.  Top of the line ATS models feature a 3.6-liter V-6 that is good for 321 horses and 274 lb-ft of torque, along with fuel economy of 19-mpg around town and 28-mpg highway.  A six-speed automatic transmission is offered across the lineup, while the turbocharged motor also benefits from the option of a six-speed manual.

The Cadillac ATS base model (MSRP $33,095) offers an equipment list that includes dual automatic climate control, imitation leather seats with power adjustment, Bluetooth connectivity, a Bose stereo system, 17-inch rims, and heated mirrors.  Moving up to the Luxury trim level (MSRP $37,590) adds true leather upholstery, the CUE interface for the vehicle's communications and entertainment systems, parking assistance, a rearview camera, and keyless entry.  The ATS Performance edition (MSRP $41,895) adds a number of active safety features, dual exhaust tips, active aerodynamics on the grille, HID headlights, and a louder sound system, while the ATS Premium (MSRP $44,895) features a navigation system, a folding rear seat, 18-inch rims, and a head-up display.

Optional with the Cadillac ATS are the Drive Assistance Package (lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, blind spot detection, head-up display), the Track package (oil cooler, performance brake pads), and the Cold Weather package (heated seats and steering wheel).

The competition to the Cadillac ATS include the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4 and S4.