Verdict
B
Sport Sedan · USA · 2013-2018
Cadillac ATS
Cadillac's BMW 3 Series fighter. Alpha-platform compact RWD/AWD sedan, the regular ATS that underpinned the ATS-V.
Years
2013-2018
Generations
1
Segment
Sport Sedan
The ATS was Cadillac's BMW 3 Series rival from 2013-2018, the first car on GM's Alpha platform — a clean-sheet RWD/AWD architecture benchmarked specifically against the 1999-2006 BMW E46 3 Series, which Cadillac chief engineer Dave Masch identified as the most driver-focused 3 Series ever made. Three engines across the run: 2.5L naturally-aspirated I4 (202 hp) base, 2.0L turbo I4 (272 hp) most popular, 3.6L V6 (321-335 hp) top. Six-speed manual was offered with the turbo I4 (rare in this segment from a US brand). Coupe body added 2015. RWD or AWD. Five-passenger compact sedan / coupe. Discontinued for 2019 with the brand reshuffling to the CT4 / CT5 naming. The regular ATS — separate from the ATS-V supercharged variant — is now the affordable used Alpha-platform Cadillac, with manual turbo-I4 cars increasingly cult.
Generations
Click any generation for the deep dive
2013-2018
Sole Generation
Cadillac's first Alpha-platform car, benchmarked against the E46 3 Series. Manual turbo-4 is the cult pick.
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Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2013-2018 · Sole Generation
- CUE infotainment freezes and reboots
- Capacitive button delamination
- Timing chain wear on 2.0T at high mileage
- Power steering electric pump faults
- Wireless charging pad failures
Rivals
BMW 3 Series (F30) · Audi A4 (B8/B9) · Mercedes C-Class (W205) · Lexus IS