2013 Cadillac ATS review

[@ALAPINO]

I still enjoy my '13 ATS with the LTG 2.0L T. The OEM tires were, indeed, less than ideal and didn't stay on the vehicle long. After about 5 years a slow leak was caused by a cracked OEM rim. It lived a soft life, so a crack in the rim was certainly unexpected. I ended up replacing the set for OEM Cadillac wheels, 1" smaller in diameter to accommodate less "low-profile" rubber. This version of CUE from 2013 feels dated but tolerable for those patient enough. Surprisingly, I've had no major issues in 6 years (aside from the cracked wheel). A temp sensor here, a poorly wearing leather seat bottom there. For a GM product, that really did surprise me. The 6L45 (?) 6-speed is usually behaved, but there are moments when I feel it lets the LTG 2.0L T down. I always found the steering to be too light, even if it was precise enough. I'm 5'9" and I feel as though the cockpit just fits me: ideal for me, but not ideal for others trying to drive it. At this point, I'm probably going to just keep my ATS going until it disagrees.

[@CriticalMass55]

I really appreciate your car reviews. They're technical in a way non-experts can understand. Thanks.

[@SymonSaysTV]

May 2023 and I still adore my 2014 ATS Performance. And I’m coming from 15 years of owning BMW 3

[@lordsavoy]

I just picked up a 2014 ATS premium 3.6awd and it is simply an awesome car. Drives and looks great. I couldn't be happier.

[@cheerthug]

lordsavoy I love my ATS and too! I'm so happy I traded my BMW 3 for a caddy and not another BEEMER!

[@Trades46]

I recently tested a 2015 C300 4matic, then a 2015 IS250 AWD and then a 2015 ATS4 2.0T. The MB felt & drove like a very luxurious...Camry. My mother has a 13 C350 4matic (w204) and that car feels more substantial & more fun to push hard, but the newer W205 definitely feels more traditional Mercedes; smooth, effortless (and unbelievably quiet) driving with a floaty ride & steering wheel connected to nothing. Feels just like that Camry 2.5 I've rented in Las Vegas for over a week. A good commuter (mom loved it) but not a sports sedan. Also the COMAND has been overhauled for this generation & I found the controls to be overly complicated vs. the 2013 C350 version. The IS250 is sharper than the C300. I like the interior of the IS the best; some touch-capacitive switches but traditional buttons predominate. Everything was easy to use and the gauges & displays were clear & interesting to look at. The seat cuddle you well & the car felt poised & body control is well checked. The 2.5 V6 is the weak spot of this car: it is creamy smooth & loves revs, but it feels gutless at low rpms & chugs Premium juice like a much larger (read more powerful) engine. F-sport grill is also an acquired taste; I find it nauseating. The ATS 2.0T was the car I ended up most impressed with. The cabin is snug but I fit perfectly. The seats & engine refinement were below that of the MB & Lexus, but it makes up for it for being a blast to drive. The steering was tight & responsive with good weight. Suspension is stiff but body control is so good you can throw it into a corner way too fast yet still keep it steady. The 2.0T has ample power & the 295lb/ft of torque makes city driving a breeze despite the rather old 6spd auto. CUE response wasn't bad: perhaps Cadillac updated the system. The IS was easier to use but CUE was more user-friendly than the new COMAND. Looks great as well. If I were to purchase one, right now: I'd pick the ATS. But I'm not going to, because the MY2016 models will debut a new V6 & 8spd autobox as well as a refreshed CUE (with new hardware upgrades) which stem from the upcoming CT6.

[@designermuppetstring]

+Trades46 Awesome review of each car. Thanks. I am leaning towards the 335X myself.

[@rayj-ht4444]

Again you guys did a great review and you seem to know what your talking about. I even liked that you admitted about being a little old fashioned with the CUE system. Very fair and knowledgeable not dumb and complaining like many others.

[@TheBlackdragon936]

I have an E46 M3 and it's getting painted. Got this car as a rental and it is a boat compared to my 11 year old M3. What he fails to say about power is the displacement and torque. 3.0L 335 motor has 20 less hp than a 3.5L which will eat up much more gas. Interior is good but buttons aren't very responsive. I love the brakes but the transmission is crap. I have the SMG and it make that look like a perfect manual. If you can get the manual do that. Power comes on late and isn't instant like my BMW. Was considering to maybe get this as a daily and keep my M3 for the weekends. After having it a week im glad I'm returning it. For the money you can get a much better car. Hope that helps. I'll check out the IS lexus series if I need to rent a car again for any reason.

[@Motormouth...]

TheBlackdragon936 I'm sure the rental was a base 4-cylinder, not the turbo. Also, you can't compare a 4-cylinder to an 6-cylinder M3, not a comparison.

[@738polarbear]

[@icecold8974]

7 years later and 83k miles my Ats 3.6 has been very reliable compared to my finances BMW which lives in the shop

[@paulcondie2520]

Nice to hear!!! I have a 2015 ats 3.6 premium performance. Just about to hit 40 thousand miles. Absolutely love mine!

[@icecold8974]

@@paulcondie2520 awesome man welcome to the club, im at 98,000 miles now so far I've only had to replace the radiator and CUE screen. Solid cars enjoy it.

[@paulcondie2520]

@@icecold8974 sweet! A little piece of mind! I just hit 40,000. I believe these cars are highly underrated! Mine has the premium performance pkg 3.6. The fe3 suspension is real good. Good luck with yours!!!

[@HCFX2011]

These Caddy's are unbelievably beautiful in my eyes. The new 3 series is just downright ugly to me. :/

[@Phoenixbeats89]

OK, don’t make fun of me. I’m seriously confused on which model I have. I have a 2013 ATS. 3.6. But it doesn’t have the heated steering wheel nor the heated seats. And my navigation doesn’t look as cool as that one. But I did hook up my OnStar and I do have turn by turn navigation. It just doesn’t look as cool as this one in the video. It doesn’t show the whole map of the city. None of that. Which model do I have exactly? Is it the premium? No I did not get it from myCadillac dealership I bought it from another small dealership and I forgot to ask that question exactly

[@chrissolis6763]

Does it have the led Lights up front?

[@EzzyMo]

Fantastic car. Great job Cadillac!

[@lsjionredlinesupercharged2049]

Spot on

[@FoodyTunes]

I think the ATS looks a lot better than the 3 Series. Plus more ground clearance is great for Canada in winter

[@jaredshelton4718]

I'm stuck between a used ATS and a used Cadenza. Both same price, same miles. The Kia is better in just about every way, especially with reliability, but that ATS just grabs my eyes.

[@MyRaptorz]

I would buy this over a BMW any day. Looks amazing

[@jamesforsnacke7058]

What about fuel efficiency?

[@seinsmeld13]

Zach, I agree wheel is brutal.

[@BananaChipzzz]

Actually the ATS is targeted at the 3 series. The CTS is kinda in between the 3 & 5 series

[@NeutralGenericUser]

Not a bad car, but I'd rather get the new Lexus IS F-Sport, or the new 3 Series, or the A4 or C Class. Especially the IS, is much more reliable, and all the cars I listed hold their value better than a Cadillac. Stilly, I commend GM for improving their new lineup to such a high degree.

[@Veyronp87]

yes it is

[@DOCCAREY]

Just wait till Cadi comes out with the ATS-V series. Really wish cadi did not put the ATS 2 door coup and also convertible on hold :(

[@jesusrosales9263]

🇺🇸☝️🇺🇸☝️🇺🇸☝️🇺🇸☝️☝️☝️☝️

[@cheerthug]

They need to make an ATS hardtop convertible so it can compete with 3series and C class in all forms

[@Babychoocho]

Good

[@venom5809]

Looked at them when they first came out, nice car, but for the same money I am going BMW, Audi or Mercedes. Also, as you mentioned, the back seats are not fit for humans.

[@fullmetalsal]

I didn't like the console finish in glossy piano black, it got greasy and smudges left right center, Very displeasing visually and looks bad.

[@lefiusleftnut9012]

OH MY GOD, RUNFLATS TIRES!!!???!?!?! Oh the humanity!!! After living with runflats for 7 years I refuse to do so anymore. You've killed any aspirations I had for actually considering the ATS, Caddy.

[@738polarbear]

Stupid comment .Cant you change the bloody tyres?

[@alamo3955]

What's wrong with run flat tires . I just bought an ATS .

[@avogev]

no the luxury comes with leather. only the base comes with leatherette

[@Babychoocho]

In 5 years you'll be able to buy a used ATS for 30 cents on the dollar. In other words, there is a reason BMW retains their value and Caddy's don't. The CTS, for example, is a college frat boy favourite.

[@mo72mmed]

The BMW 3 series is a lot better then the cadillac and the mercedes c class

[@738polarbear]

hes wrong as the luxury edition has leather seats.This car is not an old mans car .I think Zack should have stuck to being a weatherman or whatever he was as he certainly cannot review cars properly.

[@Veyronp87]

and more expensive

[@snazari1994]

BMW

[@Auton1forone]

once again , Cadillac is Cadillac if you want a BMW go get a BMW stop trying to make a Cadillac totally bmw . Cadillac has it"s way of doing things as well as the Germans . Everyone wants to give a review and at the same time put down or nick pick everything . fyi your ass is to fat if you cant get in the back seat

[@k.m.church7707]

The ATS has the same price. Learn how to pay attention and stop causing a scene! The idea!

[@Carfan678]

Mercedes c class is so much better.

[@Whotta]

Not at all. Just sayin