2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6 AWD Road Test & Review (with CUE review)

[@paulcondie2520]

Bought a 2015 Ats 3.6 premium performance triple black with oem 19s! Very underrated car! The magnetic ride control makes car like it handles like on rails! Got the upgraded cue so i see or have no issues at all! Love this car

[@LlyleHunter]

I drove this car and it is world class. It steers like a laser and rides nice and tight but very quietly and because it's a Cadillac it looks like a jeweler facetted it from a diamond inside and out. I can't wait 'till the 2014 CTS arrives in the fall.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Interesting question. The new Cadillac CTS actually causes even more of a problem because, even though Cadillac has raised their price, the CTS is a good value when you compare it to the BMW 3 and C-Class and I think I might take a CTS 2.0 before I went for the ATS 3.6. The fact that we can even have this conversation shows just hot far GM has come.

[@1GreatLake]

great review. most reviewers compare and contrast the 3 series, but you go far into the history of competition and parameters of both. Well Done.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Because the style of the interior was not universally loved during our week with the ATS, some disliked the themes and the touch buttons. Regardless of that evertone agreed that this was the best quality interior they had seen from Cadillac.

[@Nettikturbo]

One of the best reviews of this car. I've seen them all.

[@Ambi1021]

I love this review. That cadi is absolutely stunning in blue. I want it so badly.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

Audrey Spring it's called Dark Adriatic Blue Metallic

[@vernonpaigejr.1517]

I was looking up Cadillacs and came across a blue ATS. It looks so pretty

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Yes, this is weird, but... For the sport buckets, xenon headlights, and shift paddles, you must opt for the "Performance” trim which nixes the folding rear seat. To regain the folding rear seat, and add magnetic ride control shocks, quicker steering, firmer FE3 tuning, and a head-up display, you must get the $45,790 “Premium” trim. There are a few other packages that fiddle with the 60/40 rear seat. Go figure.

[@Jwdude123]

Best reviewer on the tube.

[@sheilalashay5927]

I've driven the ATS and seats are tight across. The CTS is more like it for shoulder room. A premium model ATS is not much cheaper than a CTS. And if you're heavy, don't even think about a CTS Coupe. lol But the handling in the Coupe is superb and it flys.

[@pioneerdc4419]

he summed it up so well at the end. great review. cadillac is really coming back and has me interested.

[@DJCamYank]

The 2014 CUE doesn't have any of the touch problems, such as the shoddy volume controls shown here. Their updates must have addressed a lot of that. My CUE has never crashed and doesn't interpret any ghost inputs like the volume bar did in this video.

[@normt5463]

My 2014 XTS VSport has a CUE that works fine with no issues.

[@Thebuscommunityleader]

I am considered to buy this car used one day.

[@Yamtz250]

Alex - you're by far my favorite online car reviewer. Mercedes? They are more BMW like now (at least the older BMW's). Cadillac? Higher performance in their class for ATS/CTS but reliability is a question (as with Jaguar/Maserati/Alpha Romeo). That's not to say that BMW and Mercedes's are not without issues. Having that many gadgets in these vehicles is a Quality Engineer's nightmare. I am incredibly proud for what GM and Cadillac has done with these cars. In a very short time, they compete in their markets. I, for one, have my eye out on that beautiful ATS-V and that Alpha Giulia. I'm a fan of all cars and watch all your videos...keep them coming!

[@denalisiomontpellier4064]

Audi is the best in class

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Cadillac made this change to their lineup after we shot the video. We included a test box explaining this on that section of the video.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

That is a "dead kitten" microphone cover, it cuts the wind noise down since it's always windy in this area of N. CA.

[@thomas4776]

Great looking Cadillac ,color is great, wheels looks good too.

[@RODikUlus]

Thanks. You really do your homework, and I enjoyed the review. Very well done. I'm considering this car in the future. It has to do with when they drop a GM 8 speed transmission (which should make it a lil quicker to 60 & more fuel efficient). Also, I do wish for GM to change the cheap looking gauge cluster to an lcd unit the XTS, and new CTS will have. By that time, I hope they also have a saddle colored leather interior to go with that blue you tested. I figure 2 years from now.

[@kirbyswarp]

The seats do fold down actually. Did you watch the saabkyle04 review. He folds them down.

[@RODikUlus]

At 4:56, the reviewer says that the rear seat doesn't fold down. I've folded the ATS rear seat for access to the truck, and other reviewers have noted that. Why? Are there versions of the ATS that the rear seat doesn't?

[@marc1093280]

I have changed my mind about Cadillac since posting the comment, but Lexus and Infiniti does look nice, but they sure could do better. I think Infiniti's design is better than Lexus. I prefer the more traditional and more simpler styling from Mercedes and Cadillac. I have always been a Mercedes fan, and I will admit that what I said about Cadillac was wrong, and I must be wrong to think that Infiniti is better than BMW.

[@StormAutoAdventures]

It wasn't that the CTS was too big, it was just too heavy. They made the new CTS larger in every dimension, all while shaving off over 250 pounds as well. I still prefer the ATS, but I really like the CTS as well. Even the 2008-13 models. I just wish they were as light as the '14 model though.

[@HadzUSA]

This is the best review as always. Keep up the good job ! Just perfect. I really think that Bmw is trying to be more like Mercedes and Mercedes is trying to be more like Bmw. For instance, the 3 series GT is made first for confort whereas C class coupe is much bmw-like. One question remains: if you wanted to keep this kind of car for 5 or 6 years, would your choice be this ATS, or the 3 series or c class? I still would not know. Anyway Cadillac is doing an amazing job to catch up.

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

Nice review except for the comment, "No turbo lag," as this is the ATS 3.6 review - or were you driving the 2.0 Turbo version when you made that comment since you mention this review is of both cars?

[@Waterflow07]

No BT or BT audio?

[@sirloin4372]

I def prefer the pre facelift 13-14 ats over 15 and newer

[@AlternativeUses]

the interior controls look incredibly frustrating. it would be a dealer breaker for me when mmi and idrive are so refined and polished

[@Vorcor0]

well i dont know if this is true but if you are looking to go 0-60 faster I think that GM is going to release an ATS-V to compete with the M3.

[@speedshiftr88]

Great review

[@Ladida451]

Epic review. One my best for this particular car.

[@StormAutoAdventures]

I keep hearing this is a rwd car so there's a large hump in the back, but every single sedan I've owned that was FWD, RWD or AWD has the same large hump in the back. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever been in a sedan that didn't have that hump in the back regardless of the configuration.

[@neiljborja]

+IrishChris1979 No longer true with the '16 Civic, but I believe previous/current gen Hondas (and Toyotas? I could be wrong about that) specifically have a flat rear seat floor to make the middle seat more appealing.

[@StormAutoAdventures]

neiljborja Yeah, that would be nice for the rear passengers. I'd love to sit in a car without the hump just for the heck of it lol.

[@G8Thunder]

I'm pretty sure the guy on Driven Car Reviews folded down the back seats. And goes 0-60 in 5 seconds "without turbo lag"? The 3.6 isn't turbo charged is it?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

According to Cadillac only the Luxury and Premium trims have a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The comment about no turbo lag is a comparison between GM's 3.6L naturally aspirated engine and their 2.0T engine as well as BMWs 3.0L turbo inline-6.

[@slayer04031974]

The 2015/16 CTS V 3.6 twin turbo.

[@Vorcor0]

thats why they should also make a coupe version of the ats

[@k.m.church7707]

I want one of these cars! OMG! THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!

[@rickhamilton620]

For FSM's sake can no one create a great touchscreen system but Chrysler? That volume control would drive me insane.

[@Goated483]

US gets a 2.5 as well

[@Trades46]

I'm curious how this ATS 3.6 compares to the IS350. Alex, since you driven both cars, how would you say they compare?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Trades46 The IS 350 is better rounded, it has a bigger back seat, better overall reliability and slightly better real world fuel economy. The ATS is more direct, has a better feel to it and is a hair better handling.

[@jpk112]

Like the color! Great review.

[@andrewthorpe7617]

Is this engine reliable

[@maestroadam]

PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ!!!!!!

[@bradh716]

The touchscreen issues are a deal breaker.

[@yurkshirelad]

Alex, have you reviewed the 2.0T ATS?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

+Mike Not a full review but my main thoughts are in this video

[@EMCEscher]

Informative review without the wiseass remarks.

[@BruceTheSillyGoose]

nothing about the rough road ride? judging from the camera vibrations it looks like it rides borderline harsh over anything but glass smooth roads.

[@Himdownstairs86]

Same can be said about the car it competes with. I have magnetic ride control in mine. If you want to be able to move from firm to a soft floaty ride, magnetic ride control has no competition

[@paulg11552]

is the 3.6 worth it?

[@CarefreeRambler]

I drive the 2.0T and it's more than adequate for daily driving. Love my ATS.

[@paulg11552]

I wanted something higher up like a crossover I ended up with a Alfa Romeo Stelvio, wicked fast

[@yunga8305]

NickT are they reliable ??

[@francoisd6942]

90% of this car on the road will never sit nobody in the back because it is not a family car

[@klendrom8610]

Thank you for the nice review. The front callipers are black and Cadillac is written on them, the back calipers are a bare and cheap-looking set, as if you just purchased them from Auto Zone...I guess Cadillac did that to save a few pennies. Cheap move!

[@adamhayden5152]

They did it because back breaks account for 20-30% of braking power. You don’t need 4 piston brembo’s on the back at all….

[@tymahal2029]

Can u do a active hybrid 3

[@bmancodgta4]

a 3 series bmw would never have a stitched PLEATHER dashboard. It is not of equal quality to the bmw. Strong effort from caddy buy, it's not there yet. My favourite american product in the past few years was/is the buick regal gs, just because from the outside that car is dead sexy.

[@insidertrading1]

Mercedes is the new Acura/Audi with its inexplicable push to ever more FWD cars, which I still don't understand

[@Trades46]

You're one of the first journalists to openly state BMW is going soft in attempt to lure in older mainstream buyers, but in turn ditching the loyalists and their 'ultimate driving machine' load of trash they claim they drive. Cadillac feels like the new BMW in terms of their tuning methods and approach with the ATS. BMW is now going Buick in luxury and effortless/lazy engines (compare the 328i to the older one). MB is also going more hardcore; look at how well the new E and face-lifted C handles

[@kaidong2706]

Any thoughts on this vs Volvo s60 T6?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

The ATS is by far more fun to drive. The S60 T6 in FWD form is more efficient and the T6 AWD R-Design is faster 0-60 but the ATS is the better handling and better feeling car. I personally value Volvo's safety systems like City Safety and that would make me select the S60 over the ATS, but the Cadillac is the driver's car by far.

[@kaidong2706]

Alex on Autos Thank you so much for the quick reply. I am currently driving Honda Accord 2.4, which means any of them will make feel very happy. On the deals I found, s60 T6 and ATS 2.0T (both basic) cost about the same. Volvo certainly has more bang for the buck. Acura V6 P-AWH (basic) is slightly cheaper than the 2 above. I'll test drive and see which is more emotionally appealing to me.

[@kaidong2706]

Alex on Autos My local dealer doesn't even have T6, I need to pay above the MSRP to beat other buyers. I either have to try T5 or simply wait.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Kai Dong I like the T5, but I think the T6 is worth the wait.

[@riceoobxg]

thats a nice blue

[@MarcHamady]

You're wrong if you think that no one ever pays attention to Lexus or Infiniti.

[@FoodyTunes]

Anyone else see the deer run across the road in front of him?

[@InformalGreeting]

Just have to say "lol, Tiffany"

[@christopherdoyle1390]

My ATS back seats fold down

[@Nawaf-]

Mercedes killed off Maybach.. so maybe mercedes will go more luxurious

[@dwaynefox9180]

He came out the trunk 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@77rxpharmacy]

The ATS has a questionable cheap interior. If you want a truly premium cadillac sedan, look to the 2014 CTS. I guess we have to wait for the ATS to grow up like its older brother did.

[@adamhayden5152]

Stfu, the interior is nice….

[@lupehn]

Not even close

[@sebdupree1]

12:06

[@crowbird213]

Exterior is cool. Interior is horrible. In Atlanta where BMW's are common, this would stick out in the crowd.

[@riceoobxg]

11;20 Deer runs across road.

[@porsche911CarreraRSR]

DEER!!! 11:19

[@alexsiul1142]

benz is going to be a brand like old BMW, n BMW just over charge people for their car because they think they can.

[@Altairific]

You're pretty difficult guy to please, huh? :)

[@MegaGuitarpicker]

Ha! You are on your knees looking under the hood! This is a very small car. You do not just get in it, you "put it on"...

[@alpappalardi7044]

Congratulate me. I officially had the worst 2013 Ats ever built. As per Mary’s Bara’s office . When they seen the lemon law list they couldn’t even believe it . They said no court . Choice of any Cadi except an Escalade , or full refund plus interest . I took the money and ran. I was loyal for 35 years. Cadillac has truly lost their identity. Remember the saying . “This isn’t your Fathers Cadillac “ It’s true, his was better . Much better

[@isthatkool]

What's with that hairy looking mic on dudes chest?!