2017 Cadillac ATS Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2017 Cadillac ATS offers tons of customizations and options right out of the gate. It is available as a coupe or sedan seating four or five people respectively. Cadillac packed this luxury small car offering with features and options to make it a very appealing buy. This car is very customizable and features lots of great technology.

What's new for 2017

The Cadillac ATS offers a choice of three engines, a four cylinder, a six cylinder and a powerhouse twin turbocharged V6 with 464 h.p. Cadillac has done away with the old 2.5 liter engine.

For 2017, Cadillac has also upgraded their standard features package with the CUE Infotainment package at every trim level.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2017 Cadillac ATS – The Pros

1. Fun to Drive

The 2017 Cadillac ATS is very exciting as a driving machine. Its features include very sporty engines and extensive attention to driving and handling detail. The ATS' impressive independent suspension and optional magnetic ride control allow you to switch driving modes for a variety of driving experiences.

2. Engines for the Power Hungry

Even the base engine for the 2017 Cadillac ATS outperforms the competition. It is a turbocharged 2.0 liter four cylinder that pumps out 272 horsepower. The optional 3.6 liter V6 bumps you up to 335 h.p. Finally you have the twin turbocharged version of the V6. It sets the ATS near the top of the heap with 464 h.p and puts the top speed of the Cadillac ATS-V at 190 mph.

3. Customizable Interiors

The 2017 ATS offers a bevvy of refinement options for the interior. Ranging from the super sporty to classic luxury refinement, buyers are sure to find an interior that fits their preferences. The 2017 Cadillac ATS offers sport seats and racecar inspired pedals for the sports car enthusiast, but it also offers hand crafted interior features and accents. Interior design options include leather, wood carbon fiber or aluminum.

4. Upgradable Driving Technology

The 2017 Cadillac ATS can be upgraded to include the driver awareness package. The driver awareness package increases safety while driving by alerting the driver to lane departures and frontal collisions. Buyers also benefit from the Safety Alert Seat system that catches the attention of the driver with vibrations in the seat.

5. Safety Upgrades

The 2017 Cadillac ATS also offers an optional driver assist package. This package gets buyers adaptive cruise control, automatic seat belt tightening and automatic braking for safety. The driver assist package includes the driver awareness package features as well.

6. Customizable Driving Experience

Cadillac has a reconfigurable digital instrument cluster in the 2017 Cadillac ATS. You can now see information regarding an expanded variety of vitals including navigation, radio and phone status. The ATS also offers heads up display technology to keep your attention on the road.

7. Infotainment System

The Cadillac CUE infotainment system now comes standard with every ATS. It is equipped with an eight inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth and wireless hotspot. The infotainment system also features advanced touch screen controls and does away with buttons and knobs altogether. Also standard are satellite radio, Bose sound system and proximity keyless entry.

8. Extensive Warranty

Cadillac has included a four year or 50,000 mile warranty with the 2017 Cadillac ATS, which is standard issue in the luxury small class category. It has upped the stakes by adding an impressive six year or 70,000 mile powertrain warranty, which is anything but typical.

9. Safety Ratings

Perfection is something worth mentioning, and the 2017 Cadillac ATS has scored a perfect five out of five stars for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

10. Drivetrain Configurations

The Cadillac ATS is available in rear wheel drive and all wheel drive options and features a manual six speed or automatic eight speed transmission. The manual transmission is available for the four cylinder and twin turbocharged V6 but not for the standard V6. AWD is available with the automatic transmission only. The ATS-V does not offer AWD. The ATS also offers optional paddle shifters on the steering wheel for the automatic transmission.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2017 Cadillac ATS – The Cons

1. Louder Engines

The Cadillac ATS may be one of the more sporty and agile options available in the small luxury car class, but the engines are a bit throaty. The noise is a small price to pay for most buyers looking for some serious acceleration.

2. Lacks Comfort

Though very agile and responsive, the ride can be a bit bumpy in the Cadillac ATS. Optional sport seats can be helpful for those that want a smooth ride. The rough ride can also be avoided by opting for the magnetic suspension.

3. Space is at a Premium

There is no getting around the fact that this is a small car. Cargo space is limited to less than 12 cubic feet, and leg room in the back seat of both the sedan and the coupe are less than comfortable for adults.

How it Stacks up to the Competition

The 2017 Cadillac ATS offers some of the most powerful engines in the category. The twin turbocharged V6 ranks among the highest for power putting it ahead of both the BMW 3 and 4.

Standard features on the 2017 Cadillac ATS are better than that of the BMW 3 and 4 as well. Some luxury small cars may offer better premium options depending on the buyer's taste.

Conclusion

The 2017 Cadillac ATS is sure to attract buyers with its above average power and handling. The car also offers great standard features and technology. In a class where refinement and attention to detail are ultra important, the ATS still offers great customization and styling for those looking for a distinctive luxury car.