2014 Cadillac ATS4 2.0T Performance- The Oppositelock Review

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
11/29/2015 at 20:30 • Filed to: None

Back around the end of July, I spent a brief time driving around in a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in Sport line trim. I found it to be quite a fun little car. You’ve heard how the magazines think the Cadillac stacks up against it. Now here’s my take on it.

( Full Disclosure: Cadillac wanted me to drive this car so badly that they put this car in their inventory right as my grandmother was looking to replace her old !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . She had her choice narrowed down to three cars, none of which were the ATS. I sent her the link to the ad for it at ten on a Friday night, recommending she look at it. She was in our driveway with her newly purchased ATS at nine the next morning. You’re welcome, Cadillac.)

Exterior: 7.5/10

In this lovely deep red with the Performance package’s optional 18” wheels, the ATS is a pretty thing to behold There aren’t really any angles from which it looks bad, which is a lot more than I can say for my grandpa’s awkward old !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . The vertically front and rear LEDs, integrated brake light/spoiler, and twin exhaust mounted fairly far inboard all give it a sporty, premium look. My only complaint is that from some angles it looks slightly plain. Attractive, but not eye catching the way Cadillacs always have been. From most angles though, it is a very striking car.

Interior: 8/10

If the exterior styling of the ATS makes the DTS look lightly less attractive, the interior blows the DTS clean out of the water and beaches it. I’m actually wishing I could backpedal and give the DTS a lower score despite how comfortable the seats are. Even compared to the 3-Series, the interior of the ATS walks away with the win. Maybe it’s because the BMW was fitted with an all-black interior with aluminum trim instead of wood (both modern luxo-perfomance trends I dislike), but the Cadillac feels fully 2015 and fully luxury. This one has a two-tone interior, brown and something between beige and grey. It really works. Plus, the 3rd generation of Cadillac’s “Art and Science” design has finally come to be just that. So the CUE system is a little complicated, so what? Every feature one would expect in a fifty thousand dollar car is present, but more than that, it all feels like fifty grand. In the years right after the bailout, GM’s interiors were starting to loose the cheap, tacky feel that plagued them throughout the 00’s. Still, even as late as 2013, it was still present to a degree. Not here. That old cheapness and tackiness is gone, vanished, nowhere to be found. This is a quality product, in terms of look, feel, equipment, everything. It’s the same story in the new Escalade and CTS that I’ve driven: Cadillac’s interiors are now on par with every other major luxury manufacturer in the world, and anyone who tries to make a joke about “American build quality” now is as outdated as the interiors on these cars used to be. Oh, and the seats in the ATS may be a little firm, but it’s a sports sedan. My granny doesn’t care and neither should you.

Acceleration: 8/10

This mid-range ATS is powered by a two liter turbocharged inline four producing 272 horsepower and, crucially, nearly 300 pound feet of torque. This is routed through a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters to all four of the ATS’s nifty wheels. Sixty comes up in 5.5 second, and though I’ve never attempted it, I’m willing to presume its top speed is on par with the 155mph of its German rivals. Whether you opt to shift your own gears or acknowledge that the car knows best, shifts are quick and smooth, and in sport mode it’s more than willing to hold shifts well into the exciting range. The first time I drove this car, a large V8 pickup tried to pass and then cut in front of me. Imagine their surprise when this, a mere old person’s car to the uninitiated, went zooming off towards the horizon. Let the record show that my grandmother was in the passenger seat, and was not amused by my method of dealing with this issue.

Braking 7.5/10

The brakes are good. Though it annoys me a bit that the Performance package gives you Brembo brakes only up front, the ATS still stops very, very quickly. More than that, the brakes feel linear and not at all grabby. I seem to recall the brakes in the 328i had less feel and came on more suddenly, but I could be wrong. The sticky Michelin Primacy tires help too.

Ride: 6/10

I’m not saying the ATS isn’t comfortable; it is. But let’s face it: what we have here is a short wheelbase, thin summer tires, a sports suspension, and firm seats. The ride can get quite choppy at times, or what the Miata enthusiast would call “communicative”. This has been my grandma’s only real complaint so far. She doesn’t mind it much, but wishes it were a tiny bit softer. Oh well, she wanted the Performance package. Maybe the snow tires will help.

Handling 8/10

The only thing some of us really care about. The ATS’s chassis, suspension, and steering have all been tuned to be as far from the old definition of a Cadillac as possible, and this car is a hoot. Steering is direct and incredibly quick, and there’s enough feedback for me. It doesn’t matter how quick you’re going or how last-minute you decide to change direction, the ATS tackles it with poise and ease. More than that, it makes you want to do it again, and again, and again. It’s a thoroughly fun car to drive.

Gearbox: 7/10

Already covered this, but the transmission is pretty darn good. The manual version has received its fair share of complaints, but not this one. So other than “because Oppo” I see no need to have the manual version, thus, I won’t dock any points for it being an auto.

Toys: 8/10

I haven’t spent enough time messing with the computers and reading the manual to know what all this car can do, but it’s safe to say the answer is “a lot”. It’s got features galore, although it doesn’t have on major safety feature that my grandmother wanted, that being the blindspot monitor. Oh well, it has plenty of other stuff. Personally, I enjoy some of the pointless, neat features that some cars have. In this, the center console controls pictured above fold up at the touch of a button to reveal a hidden cubby hole, all James Bond-like. Also, the door handles themselves have LED lights inside them, which most people would find tacky but which I find also cool. Then again, I like the Mercedes-Benz illuminated star and Rolls-Royce’s illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy, so what do I know?

Audio: 7/10

The radio is crisp, clear and offers plenty of adjustability. There’s AM/FM, USB, Bluetooth, Satellite radio, and Pandora. Alas, no cassette player. The engine itself also provides a nice enough soundtrack. It’s got that traditional four cylinder thrum with just a touch of burble, but its nothing to right home about, unlike the exhaust note from the Northstar-powered DTS.

Value: 7/10

New, I’d only give this car a 5/10. It’s as good as the Germans, but at over $52,000, it’s also as expensive. However, my grandparents paid just over thirty grand for this car with just over 15k miles on the clock. That, for CPO car that’s basically new, is a rather good deal, so there you have it.

At the end of my review of the DTS, I basically stated that while it may be worth the price to some, there is no way in hell I’d pay 535i money for such an old-fashioned boat. This is due largely to the fact that 17 is the number of years I am from being 0, not from being 100. With the ATS, it’s different. Given the choice between this specific ATS and the specific (and nearly identically specced) 328i I drove a while back, I’d take the Cadillac every single time. I may not be the first person to say it, but coming from a guy who’s admittedly a huge German car fan, it should mean something. Unfortunately, if I really wanted a sporty car in this class, I’d get a Jaguar XE, and if I really wanted a luxury cruiser, I’d get a Mercedes C300.

Total: 74.5/100

Engine: 2.0 I4 Ecotec Turbocharged

Power: 272hp, 295lbs/ft of torque

Transmission: 6 speed automatic

0-60 time: 5.5 seconds

Top Speed (probably) : 155 mph

Drivetrain: All-wheel drive

Curb weight: 3,461 lbs

Seats: 5

MPG: 19 city/30 highway

Price as tested: $52, 762

DISCUSSION (38)

jkm7680 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/29/2015 at 20:35

Kinja'd!!!

The gauge cluster on these is horrible.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > jkm7680
11/29/2015 at 20:36

I’dprefer more than a half circle, but other than that I have no problem with it.

jkm7680 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/29/2015 at 20:38

I personally think a digital display would look great....

I don’t like how most Cadillacs drive, especially the SRX with the 3.0. It feels like a bogged down 4 cyl.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > jkm7680
11/29/2015 at 20:40

The SRX is bleh. Trust me, drive this thing. It’s nothing like the Cadillacs you’re likely used to.

bob and john > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/29/2015 at 20:41

Kinja'd!!!

the rest of it looks nice....but god dam, they couldnt spend an extra 30$ and get some sweet looking gauges?!?!

I know its a nit-pick. but when the rest of it looks so nice...it just stands out REALLY badly

jkm7680 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/29/2015 at 20:44

The Escalade is quite nice because of dat engine note, the old CTS was meh and the XTS is ehhhhh but I ALSO dislike the engine note of the 3.6.

They’re on track, but still have room for improvement. Compared to the 2015 Allroad, the loaded 3.0 SRX felt like a Toyota Corolla.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > jkm7680
11/29/2015 at 20:46

The SRX is the lone remnant of old Cadillac. I could see why anyone would think Cadillac still had a ways to go if they judged solely off of a new SRX.

asindhidude > bob and john
11/29/2015 at 20:48

That is the ONLY reason I didn’t buy one. Cannot stand those instruments.

jkm7680 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/29/2015 at 20:50

They also desperately need to kill the 3.0 (If they haven’t already), fix Cue and it’s inherent shittiness and address some build quality concerns.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/29/2015 at 20:56

Grandma rules for not getting a crossover or SUV.

WhiskeyGolf > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/29/2015 at 21:21

So here’s a question: my dad has been driving a 3 series since 2005, with an ‘06 325i and ‘09 328i, but since that car is approaching 350,000 km, I would guess that next spring it’ll be time for something new. Should I push for him to look at this car or do you think there’s not enough to sway him from another 328?

feetinesamady > bob and john
11/29/2015 at 21:24

Nit-pick my ass. The owner of that car has to look at that shit constantly while driving.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > WhiskeyGolf
11/29/2015 at 21:25

Ifhe’s the sort who always buys the new version of the same thing, I dunno if anything will sway him. But yeah, have him look.

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/29/2015 at 21:27

Great review very jealous you got to drive an ATS. Two questions.

1. Assuming the car was 52k would you take this or a slightly optioned CTS or equivalent?

2. Do you think if Duesenberg was in the luxury sport segment it would build the best car?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JR1
11/29/2015 at 21:29

1. This.

2. Of course. But its smallest car would be 5 series sized at smallest.

Under_Score > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/29/2015 at 21:30

I’m happy for their purchase, but people born before 1940 driving new, high end vehicles just doesn’t seem right to me. I still picture elderly people driving around in basic GM and Ford vehicles from 20+ years ago.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Under_Score
11/29/2015 at 21:31

...okay

Under_Score > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/29/2015 at 21:42

No, no, I’m sorry I came across as being so negative. I’m happy that they were successful, and now have the money to purchase cars such as this Cadillac. The group I’m used to is my own grandparents, who had a 1994 Lumina they finally sold to a scrap yard a few years ago, and the only car they have now (and worked back when they got rid of the Lumina) is a 2001 RAV4 that used to belong to my parents.

My other grandma, who died in 2009, lived in some fancy place and drove a 2000 I30. I rarely saw her, though.

Again, sorry my comment seemed to give off a different vibe. Older people driving newer cars is not something I’m used to, that’s all.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Under_Score
11/29/2015 at 21:44

It’s all good. I wasn’t offended, just a tad confused.

A lot of the people I know with really expensive cars are 60-80.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > jkm7680
11/29/2015 at 22:08

Cadillac ditched the 3.0 in 2011 for the SRX. Since then, it’s been 3.6 only and it makes a world of difference.

Your boy, BJR > bob and john
11/29/2015 at 23:23

Because this is so much better

Kinja'd!!!

bob and john > Your boy, BJR
11/29/2015 at 23:32

Better, but still kinda meh. that almost looks like its ona screen. much prefer audis dash

Kinja'd!!!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/29/2015 at 23:59

Kinja'd!!!

FUCK THESE BUTTONS. FUCK THEM SO HARD. THERE IS NOTHING THAT INFURIATES ME MORE THAN THIS STUPID BULLSHIT FUCKING CAPACITIVE BUTTONS. FUCK YOU GM.

(I work at a Chevrolet dealership. Some caddys and chevy crossovers have these buttons and resetting the oil life requires you press and hold one, but due to how flaky this capacitive bullshit is that quickly becomes frustrating)

Also, more comfy than a Cadillac DTS? I dunno, man. I’ve driven a lot of Devilles (I know, not a DTS. I honestly like the Deville more because the DTS was a hell of a lot more partsbin) and they’re some of the best domestic cars to come from the 2000s. Then again, I much prefer the “rolling sofa” school of luxury. Even when it’s not appropriate.

Kinja'd!!!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > jkm7680
11/30/2015 at 00:01

The SRX is very much not representative of modern Caddy. They’re atrocious pieces of garbage.

boxrocket > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/30/2015 at 00:33

I’m going to disagree with the interior score. I couldn’t give it more than a 5/10. CUE is one of the worst infotainment systems on the market, yet it’s one of gm’s newest. The plastic throughout the cabin feels cheap, flimsy, and chintzy, and is a fingerprint magnet. The touch controls are OK, but Lincoln does it better (but is apparently phasing them out). The speedo feels cramped and difficult to read at-a-glance (but the tach looks good). Speaking of cramped, side-to-side room is notably absent, and I DD a Mazda6 and just bought my wife a 2016 CX -5 Grand Touring which is based off the compact Mazda3, none of which are known for being wide cars, but manage their space so much better. For a sedan, there’s remarkably little room in the back (especially headroom!) for anyone of typical adult stature, but this is endemic of gm of late, from the cruze and volt all the way up to the xts, and the ct6 seems to be continuing the trend.

Yay for her getting a new car, but I wouldn’t have put any if my relatives in one.

Sneaky Pete > Your boy, BJR
11/30/2015 at 01:24

Looks almost like the dash in my $16k Honda Fit.

Sneaky Pete > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/30/2015 at 01:27

I love the new ATS (as well as the new CTS) but from my limited interaction with the above vehicles, absolutely HATE the capacitive touch controls. Do they get any better/less annoying than the “fire ants crawling through your ear canals to chew on your brain” enjoyment you get from using it for 10 minutes?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
11/30/2015 at 08:03

Ithought I specifically said it was less comfortable.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Sneaky Pete
11/30/2015 at 08:05

They don’t bother me that much.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/30/2015 at 10:35

I are read good

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
11/30/2015 at 11:38

Lol gotcha

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Your boy, BJR
11/30/2015 at 11:55

Bugger off that’s my car