2017 Cadillac ATS Base 2.0 turbo 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

A nice car, but a far cry from a Cadillac

Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

My ATS sedan is a far cry from the 2002 Deville I had for over 12 years. Overall, the ATS is a very nice car, and it seems the fit and finish is superior to other Cadillacs I've had in the past.

The ATS is the first new Cadillac I've owned, having had several "certified" models in the past. I wanted a regular sedan, and test drove the ATS, CTS, and the XTS. They're all out of the same mold, look the same, and act the same. So, I went with the cheapest version.

I've only owned the car a month, but I will comment on a number of things. Ride is firm and hard. The TV screen center is hard to navigate. With no knobs to feel for, one has to take your eyes off the road to change radio stations or A/C controls. All cars seem to have this, a reason for many accidents, I think.

Hard to believe a four cylinder car performs like the ATS. Something like 300 HP is unbelievable. The car will fly, but not with me in it.

The stupidest thing is the auto stop, which shuts off the car at a red light. Can be bypassed, but every time you drive it.

Front seat is roomy and adequate, but the back seat is a joke. I can't imagine the Godfather emerging from the back seat of an ATS, or the other two sedans offered. But, I don't really need a roomy back seat.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th July, 2017

2013 Cadillac ATS 2.5 non-turbo from North America

Summary:

Nice car, we like it

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong so far.

General Comments:

Highway steering stability is excellent; I like it a lot.

Ride is very firm; takes some getting used to. It should improve when the shocks wear a little. A slightly softer ride should be an option.

Gas mileage is excellent; now running 31 MPG or better combined local and highway, as per our particular driving style.

Engine power, 202 HP, is moderate but fits my driving style. Acceleration and passing power are adequate, not amazing.

70 mph highway cruising is effortless and the engine is inaudible at that speed.

Don't like the auto trans kickdown for a moderate grade when in cruise; have to move the trans lever to manual to prevent this.

There is no spare tire and no room for a compact spare. I dread to think about a flat tire at night in a zero degree blizzard, in a rainstorm or in an unsafe area. Perhaps the marketing/engineering people might say that the plug and pump kit is less effort than changing a flat, but time may tell more about this.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th June, 2013

5th Jun 2013, 16:46

I think all cars should still have optional suspensions, or better yet, programmable ones. Almost all modern cars ride too firm in my opinion; it would be nice if you could still buy a soft suspension optionally, or program your car to ride more like the large sedans of the past.

In reply to 5th Jun 2013, 16:46

6th Jun 2013, 22:53

As long as Cadillac tries to copy the Euro-sport sedans, the soft suspension days are over. Instead of dropping Pontiac, GM should have kept that division, and used their current Cadillac performance ideas for Pontiac, and left it up to Cadillac to keep building luxury cars.

27th Nov 2014, 15:18

Cadillac and firm ride are two things that just don't go together. It's like trying make desert using ice cream and vinegar - just nasty. A Cadillac with a firm ride and no spare tire is by no means a Cadillac. It's a disgrace to the brand - even worse than the Cimmarron. Even the Cimmarron had a spare tire and a reasonably good ride.

As far as not having a spare tire is concerned; what do you do if you have a blow out or the tire is punctured or damaged beyond just being re-inflated? What if the entire wheel is damaged? The DOT needs to step in and mandate all car manufacturers include a spare tire in all cars and light trucks. The ideas put into these modern cars are getting ridiculous. No spare tire... REALLY!!!??