Interactive Review: 2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6L AWD

[William Maley]

By William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

November 27, 2012

If there is one vehicle that has been talked about more than any other since I've been writing here at Cheers and Gears, that vehicle would be the new Cadillac ATS. There are a number of threads speculating, arguing, complaining, and talking about this compact luxury sedan.

Well the day has come. We finally have an ATS in for an interactive review. This ATS comes equipped with the 3.6 DI V6 producing 321 HP and 275 lb-ft of torque, a six-speed automatic, and the optional AWD system.

Anyone who was hoping this was the Performance Collection model will be somewhat disappointed as this is the base Luxury Collection model. But we do have CUE and a Cold Weather Package bringing the pricetag to $45,985 (includes $895.00 destination charge).

I have the ATS till Monday and will be updating with thoughts during that time. If you have questions for the ATS, get them in.

Update - Read the 2013 Cadillac ATS Full Review here and my Review of Cadillac's CUE system here.

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[Robert Hall]

General thoughts on ergonomics, interior room, outward visibility, cupholder design? Steering feel?

[ocnblu]

I'm interested in your perception of CUE.

[Drew Dowdell]

I hope you get some snow to try the AWD in.

[vonVeezelsnider]

I would like to know about ride quality, is it overly harsh? Obviously it will be firmer but what's it like in comparison to a Verano?

[Drew Dowdell]

My impression behind the wheel of one equipped similarly to this and I would equate it to a first generation CTS in ride feel.

[William Maley]

General thoughts on ergonomics, interior room, outward visibility, cupholder design? Steering feel?

I'll get into ergonomics in a moment with CUE. Interior room is tight mostly due to design and dimensions. The back seats are only good for kids or some adults. I'm 5'7 and my head was touching the roof.

Outward Visibility: Somewhat difficult because of not being a lot of glass and some large c-pillars. Thankfully, a rear-view camera is standard on this.

Cupholder design? Its ok, holds a water bottle.

Steering feel: There is some feel, but for some its not enough. I'm finding it ok.

[William Maley]

I'm interested in your perception of CUE.

Its mixed. There are parts I like and parts where I want to put my fist through the screen and rip its guts out.

Things I like.

• Big and clear screen, easy to read stuff
  
• Graphics are really rendered well
  
• Intergration with Pandora, USB, Bluetooth are very good.
  
• Voice Command seems decent
  
• Touch screen provides a click noise when pressed.. Good idea
  

Things I hate:

• System is somewhat laggy with certain inputs. Example is zooming in and out the navigation map by using your fingers (Multitouch)
  
• Capacitive Touch Buttons don't always register when pressed
  
• Relies too much on touchscreen and buttons to perform simple tasks while moving. Huge distraction.
  

I'll be updating this as I spend more time with CUE.

[G. David Felt]

http://autos.yahoo.c...-152700891.html

Cadillac ATS was tested at the BMW proving grounds and they came away very impressed. They pushed both the ATS and BMW till they went into limp home mode.

Do you feel that breaking and stearing are pretty spot on neutral and while the car seems to really behave in corners that it could use more horse power?

Do you also see any of the things stated her about the CUE?

http://news.yahoo.com/gm-takes-cue-apple-address-vehicle-tech-glitches-013139919--finance.html

[Z-06]

Look at the intelligent comments on the article. No comments!

[ZL-1]

Even if it is just the Luxury Collection model, will we get a full picture gallery?

Edited November 28, 2012 by ZL-1

[William Maley]

Even if it is just the Luxury Collection model, will we get a full picture gallery?

Yes

I hope you get some snow to try the AWD in.

There is snow and rain possibly coming during the weekend.

[ocnblu]

May I trouble you for a night time photo of the taillights taken from directly behind the car? I want to see if it looks like the CTS coupe =]

[G. David Felt]

May I trouble you for a night time photo of the taillights taken from directly behind the car? I want to see if it looks like the CTS coupe =]

I agree, take front, back and 3/4 shot at night to show us how it looks like or not the rest of the family.

[regfootball]

I sat in an ATS and found the front seat intimate but roomy enough and non intrusive. Basically I would consider it appropriate to the size of car.

The rear seat I sat in, yes it's tight, but footspace was ok (whereas on a Malibu it's not). You could 'slide in and down' to the rear seat, very much like a 3 series or C class rear seat. Even the sides of the rear seatback and cushion are shaped to 'funnel' you into the middle of the seat. I did notice the roof and side pillars and windows are right there. But overall, it's snugness, once you are in, did not make you really contort or make you feel really twisted up, it's just not roomy. Again, this reminds me of a 3 series backseat from generations ago.

For a single person with infrequent to no rear passengers it's fine. One example I could contrast it with is a Saab 9-3. The 9-3 IMO has a more intrusive rear seat. The headrest and backrest are unreasonable and the legroom is not there with the front driver in most positions. In the ATS it seems a decently workable backseat, even with more flexibility as to the driver.

You could take coworkers to lunch in the back of a CTS....not sure I would frequently bring people for an hour trip. I think kids would be just fine in an ATS back seat.

Regal rear seat is more accommodating. Malibu may be bigger but harder to sit in and get in and out of. Verano, probably a little better.

Edited November 29, 2012 by regfootball

[William Maley]

I sat in an ATS and found the front seat intimate but roomy enough and non intrusive. Basically I would consider it appropriate to the size of car.

The rear seat I sat in, yes it's tight, but footspace was ok (whereas on a Malibu it's not). You could 'slide in and down' to the rear seat, very much like a 3 series or C class rear seat. Even the sides of the rear seatback and cushion are shaped to 'funnel' you into the middle of the seat. I did notice the roof and side pillars and windows are right there. But overall, it's snugness, once you are in, did not make you really contort or make you feel really twisted up, it's just not roomy. Again, this reminds me of a 3 series backseat from generations ago.

For a single person with infrequent to no rear passengers it's fine. One example I could contrast it with is a Saab 9-3. The 9-3 IMO has a more intrusive rear seat. The headrest and backrest are unreasonable and the legroom is not there with the front driver in most positions. In the ATS it seems a decently workable backseat, even with more flexibility as to the driver.

You could take coworkers to lunch in the back of a CTS....not sure I would frequently bring people for an hour trip. I think kids would be just fine in an ATS back seat.

Regal rear seat is more accommodating. Malibu may be bigger but harder to sit in and get in and out of. Verano, probably a little better.

Friend and I were actually talking about this and came to similar conclusion. ATS' backseat is perfect for someone who doesn't carry passengers at all or have small kids.

Verano is much better. Actually have some distance between my head and the roof.

[G. David Felt]

BMW 3 series has been a hit for them and I believe the ATS will also be a hit for Cadillac as it pulls in younger people and they move up as they change in family and income.

[William Maley]

May I trouble you for a night time photo of the taillights taken from directly behind the car? I want to see if it looks like the CTS coupe =]

I agree, take front, back and 3/4 shot at night to show us how it looks like or not the rest of the family.

Here you go.

[G. David Felt]

Thanks Mud, except for the size, people could easily mistaken this for a CTS. The Family DNA makes it very hard to distinguish it from other family members in My less than humble opinion.

[Robert Hall]

I like the lighting...the ATS has some rounding of the edges, but still pretty pointy.

[Croc]

I checked out an ATS yesterday at LAIAS. This is a car that, up until yesterday, I was pretty confident would be my next vehicle, purchased within the next year or so.

Until I found out that the only CD slot is located inside the glovebox, and alllllll the way on the outboard side. I don't know about you, but I still use CDs. To have a CD slot located so far away from the driver is inexcusable, especially with the giant "hidden storage" space behind the center stack controls. The glovebox-mounted player also makes an already small glovebox pretty useless.

I also found the interior packaging, overall, to be less than optimal. Lots of wasted space, IMO. Biggest offender of this is the trunk--Cadillac clearly didn't want intrusive trunk hinges, but instead of using hydraulics, they simply made the trunk much narrower so the goosenecks wouldn't intrude on cargo. But the trunk can now only fit one large suitcase and a little extra.

Truly one of the biggest letdowns--I was so sold on this car, and while a lot of the interior detailing is very, very impressive...it just isn't practical on too many levels. Big on style, short on substance. The CD slot location is truly a dealbreaker. I think I'll stick with my 2001 Aurora for a few more years; maybe something will catch my eye then, and not just make me super-disappointed and instead fall in love with my current car all over again.

[Drew Dowdell]

If you wait too much longer, the CD slot will be gone entirely.

[ocnblu]

Who else is doing away with CD slots, except for General Motors though? I agree with Croc, it is too soon to be doing away with these. I just bought Frank Ocean's Channel Orange...

[ocnblu]

[ocnblu]

...Nissan's brand new Pathfinder has a CD slot. So does the new Avalon.

[ocnblu]

How about the 2014 Fiat 500L? It has a CD slot, too.

[Intrepidation]

You know what's a deal breaker for me? No 8-tracks. I mean c'mon people still listen to antiquated multimedia, why aren't automakers conforming to that instead of looking forward to mp3s? Digitized music, pah! Witchcraft I say.

[ocnblu]

2013 BMW 335 has a slot, too. In other words, I have not been able to find another car company that is doing away with CD players.

[ocnblu]

... let's get real... Lincoln did away with the GEAR SHIFT, and they still have a CD player. I don't follow GM's logic on this, except it is a way to cheap out.

Edited December 4, 2012 by ocnblu

[Drew Dowdell]

Ok ok.. you don't need to post each one. The trend was started with Audi in Europe actually

[FAPTurbo]

It's not 'cheaping out' if the CD player is still included.

I wouldn't use the CD player myself, but the location should have been slightly more convenient.

[Robert Hall]

You know what's a deal breaker for me? No 8-tracks. I mean c'mon people still listen to antiquated multimedia, why aren't automakers conforming to that instead of looking forward to mp3s? Digitized music, pah! Witchcraft I say.

Umm, CDs are digital also, and not crappy compressed mp3s...

So the CD slot is in the glovebox? Weak...is it at least a 6 disc changer, or just one disc?

[ocnblu]

OK, I believe you Drew, but I'm not sure which model, because every 2013 Audi I checked at their US site has either a single player or a console mounted changer.

But anyhow, the ATS is a beautiful car. Only thing I see wrong with it is CUE... and thanks to Croc's investigation, a lack of a customer-friendly audio system.

As far as doing away with the CD player altogether, it is happening at Chevrolet, with the Spark and the 2013 Sonic with "upgraded" radios at least, if not more models. Not everyone has an I-pod or other device, smrtfone, whatev...

Edited December 4, 2012 by ocnblu

[Intrepidation]

You know what's a deal breaker for me? No 8-tracks. I mean c'mon people still listen to antiquated multimedia, why aren't automakers conforming to that instead of looking forward to mp3s? Digitized music, pah! Witchcraft I say.

Umm, CDs are digital also, and not crappy compressed mp3s...

So the CD slot is in the glovebox? Weak...is it at least a 6 disc changer, or just one disc?

Note the satire.

At any rate, it still exists in the car so they aren't cheaping out. However, with mp3 players/smart phones becoming more prevalent, and the inclusion of Pandora built into the latest infotainment systems, CDs aren't the standard they once were, just like cassettes before them.

[Robert Hall]

You know what's a deal breaker for me? No 8-tracks. I mean c'mon people still listen to antiquated multimedia, why aren't automakers conforming to that instead of looking forward to mp3s? Digitized music, pah! Witchcraft I say.

Umm, CDs are digital also, and not crappy compressed mp3s...

So the CD slot is in the glovebox? Weak...is it at least a 6 disc changer, or just one disc?

Note the satire.

At any rate, it still exists in the car so they aren't cheaping out. However, with mp3 players/smart phones becoming more prevalent, and the inclusion of Pandora built into the latest infotainment systems, CDs aren't the standard they once were, just like cassettes before them.

I know...I have about 500 CDs from the last 25 years...but I've got everything on my iPod, in iTunes and on Google Play... though I still have about 25 cassette tapes from the '80s that I haven't listened to in ages. The Jeep and DTS have CD/cassette deck combos, my Mustang originally had a cassette deck but I swapped it out for a CD player about 15 years ago.

Edited December 4, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

Even my '81 has an iPod interface and I never use CDs.

[Croc]

It's not a 6-disc CD changer, just a single-disc in the glovebox.

Let me be perfectly clear here: The CUE control panel has a front panel that lifts up to reveal a hidden storage area. This hidden storage area is slightly larger than the size of the CD drive in the glovebox, and contains a single USB plug in the back.

At the auto show, I found one more car that did not have an in-dash CD player--the Dodge Dart. The Dart, however, had the CD drive vertically-mounted in the center console storage area.

My gripe isn't that GM is doing away with a CD player to "save weight" (read: cheap out) because I would simply tick the option box to add it back in; my issue is that its location is not only NOT in the obvious place for a CD drive, it is in the GLOVEBOX (which I usually keep locked in my car, anyway), not ready accessible to the driver, and LOCATED IN THE OUTBOARD POSITION inside said glovebox. Now, I don't know about you, but having a LUXURY CAR that does not cater to the driver's every whim seems half-assed-backwards, especially when it comes to a CD player that a driver cannot safely use while driving without the help of a passenger. $h! outta luck if you drive solo.

Make me pay for it, I don't care, but don't make it an ergonomic nightmare for me to (not be able to) use.

Also, the too-cool-for-CDs crowd is not going to have the disposable income for a luxury car. No, older people buy those.

My father, who actually uses an iPod plugged into his car while driving (mine generally collects dust because I can't stand the poor audio quality), has stated that if the XTS has the same setup, it will be a deal-breaker for him, too.

Princess Aurora is looking pretty good to me these days--I only wish she were a little more fuel-efficient, and I wish she had bluetooth...but frankly that's about it. Even if I were to have purchased a new car, I was still planning on keeping and storing her as a back-up. My Aurora is still pretty close to perfect, and even after looking at the flashy new Cadillac that I'd been lusting after for a year, I'm back in love with what I still think is the best overall package GM designed and engineered in the past 15 years.

Now I just need to get her some new wipers and a box of roses...

[vonVeezelsnider]

I mean different strokes for different folks and all but I only used the CD player in my Impala once- in December 2007 when we first bought it and I listened to the OnStar instructional CD that came with the car. Has not been used once since then and if I were to purchase an ATS or XTS or SRX I wouldn't mind it sitting in the glove compartment.

[G. David Felt]

2013 BMW 335 has a slot, too. In other words, I have not been able to find another car company that is doing away with CD players.

Actually if you really read the fine print, this single disc slot will play a cd but is mostly for the NAV DVD.

CD by what I am finding on the internet is considered dead by the auto industry since you have your Ipod/Zun/Smartphones with play lists and the USB ports and of course you have Serius XM satellite for great tunes.

Hate to say it, but buying music on CD is becoming like a record, a dead market.

[G. David Felt]

It's not a 6-disc CD changer, just a single-disc in the glovebox.

Let me be perfectly clear here: The CUE control panel has a front panel that lifts up to reveal a hidden storage area. This hidden storage area is slightly larger than the size of the CD drive in the glovebox, and contains a single USB plug in the back.

At the auto show, I found one more car that did not have an in-dash CD player--the Dodge Dart. The Dart, however, had the CD drive vertically-mounted in the center console storage area.

My gripe isn't that GM is doing away with a CD player to "save weight" (read: cheap out) because I would simply tick the option box to add it back in; my issue is that its location is not only NOT in the obvious place for a CD drive, it is in the GLOVEBOX (which I usually keep locked in my car, anyway), not ready accessible to the driver, and LOCATED IN THE OUTBOARD POSITION inside said glovebox. Now, I don't know about you, but having a LUXURY CAR that does not cater to the driver's every whim seems half-assed-backwards, especially when it comes to a CD player that a driver cannot safely use while driving without the help of a passenger. $h! outta luck if you drive solo.

Make me pay for it, I don't care, but don't make it an ergonomic nightmare for me to (not be able to) use.

Also, the too-cool-for-CDs crowd is not going to have the disposable income for a luxury car. No, older people buy those.

My father, who actually uses an iPod plugged into his car while driving (mine generally collects dust because I can't stand the poor audio quality), has stated that if the XTS has the same setup, it will be a deal-breaker for him, too.

Princess Aurora is looking pretty good to me these days--I only wish she were a little more fuel-efficient, and I wish she had bluetooth...but frankly that's about it. Even if I were to have purchased a new car, I was still planning on keeping and storing her as a back-up. My Aurora is still pretty close to perfect, and even after looking at the flashy new Cadillac that I'd been lusting after for a year, I'm back in love with what I still think is the best overall package GM designed and engineered in the past 15 years.

Now I just need to get her some new wipers and a box of roses...

I have pictures of the glove box with the single cd/dvd player in my cadillac customer appreciation editorial. I have not looked, but does the stereo have an internal harddrive to strip the songs off the cd's? Otherwise I know it has an SD slot so you could get a 64gb SD card and load it with music and plug it in. To me an SD with music on it is far better than cd's.

[Croc]

I mean different strokes for different folks and all but I only used the CD player in my Impala once- in December 2007 when we first bought it and I listened to the OnStar instructional CD that came with the car. Has not been used once since then and if I were to purchase an ATS or XTS or SRX I wouldn't mind it sitting in the glove compartment.

Really? You wouldn't mind it taking up all of that space in an already-small glove box? If you don't want it, great, don't tick that option box.

[G. David Felt]

after having my CD collection smashed by an accident, I have come to appreciate keeping the masters at home, rip the songs onto a USB drive, SD card or my Zune and play them in the car. More music, greater variety and no chance of the cd's getting borken, warped or messed up.

For me, I have moved beyond the CD drive need in an Auto.

I will say I do wonder what is behind the dash in the ATS that they could not have had the drive mounted there leaving more room in the glove box.

[Croc]

I will say I do wonder what is behind the dash in the ATS that they could not have had the drive mounted there leaving more room in the glove box.

I answered this before, but here it is again: a large empty storage space containing a single USB plug in the rear.

Found a pic:

Source: http://www.carrentingreviews.com/2012/10/24/2013-cadillac-ats-2-5l-luxury-trim/#

[G. David Felt]

I will say I do wonder what is behind the dash in the ATS that they could not have had the drive mounted there leaving more room in the glove box.

I answered this before, but here it is again: a large empty storage space containing a single USB plug in the rear.

Found a pic:

Source: http://www.carrentin...l-luxury-trim/#

WOW, I was in so many ATS at the Customer Apprciation night and NO ONE, not a single sales person or the GM CUE reps ever said there was a storage bin there and it does not look like that interface would be a door.

That is amazing, but also sad as the CD player should really be there.

[Croc]

Croc, on , said:

dfelt, on , said:

I will say I do wonder what is behind the dash in the ATS that they could not have had the drive mounted there leaving more room in the glove box.

I answered this before, but here it is again: a large empty storage space containing a single USB plug in the rear.

Found a pic:

Source: http://www.carrentin...l-luxury-trim/#

WOW, I was in so many ATS at the Customer Apprciation night and NO ONE, not a single sales person or the GM CUE reps ever said there was a storage bin there and it does not look like that interface would be a door.

That is amazing, but also sad as the CD player should really be there.

Exactly. I was really stoked to see such a large, hidden storage area there...and figured what was in the glovebox was a 6-disc changer. Imagine my chagrin when the screen didn't flip open to reveal a CD slot...

[Guest CarRentingReviews]

I can't believe my pale leg appeared in that picture!

[87Chevette]

Looks great! I wish I had storage like that in my car! Nice use of space. IMHO.

[regfootball]

i much prefer to still buy the CD because mp3 downloads are usually crappy quality.

The CD you can encode in a choice of many formats and fidelity.

Just a preference....but i used to manage a CD department long time ago back when CD was king.

I love the Ipods and bluetooth streaming and all that stuff too. CD's are tough to handle in the car compared to other forms now but I like the choice of throwing a disc in the dash too. You can still tell when there is a CD playing instead of just a music file.

[Drew Dowdell]

I guess my hearing is bad enough that I usually can't tell.