Configured: Here’s The Base Cadillac ATS
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So far, the Cadillac ATS has been portrayed in its most loaded, specced-out forms — especially during the luxury sport compact’s launch campaign. But what about the base model?
Equipped with the base 2.5 liter engine, the ATS has a starting price of $33,990, which includes an $895 destination fee. And in Standard trim, it looks like this:
On the outside, upgrading to the 2.5L Luxury or the 2.0L Turbo Standard and Luxury trims gets you a differently-styled set of wheels. In addition, the ATS’ high-intensity discharge headlights and distinct LED foglights only appear in the Performance trim of the 2.0L Turbo, which starts at $42,790.
As for the interior, the Standard trim of the 2.5L and 2.0L Turbo packages have a non-touchscreen system with a 4.2-inch display, like so:
The base interior setup features dual USB ports, an SD card slot, an auxiliary audio jack, and a seven-speaker Bose sound system. The system is controlled via touch-sensitive “capacitive” controls, with buttons on the radio consisting of favorite pages, a power/volume radial, backward/forward, a menu radial, homepage, radio, media, phone, and finally the back button. The rest of the center console is the same as on models equipped with CUE, but ATS without CUE has a top row of climate controls, including the controls for fan speed and an on/off switch for the climate system. Meanwhile, a 5.7″ color driver information center dome of the dashboard is standard across all models.
The standard infotainment unit can be upgraded to CUE for $1,350, which bumps the 4.2″ screen to the bigger 8″ unit. So, is CUE worth it to you for an addition $1,350? Sound off in the comments!
Hat tip to Dan D.
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Outside not so much, inside looks nice
I’ve been reading up quite a bit about capacitive touch buttons of late. It seems at some levels of sensitivity capacitive touch surfaces can engage their functions uncommanded. I see where some Sony Ericsson phones are affected by this phenomenon. I seriously hope that this isn’t the case with these GM units.
Interior and Exterior still look better than any level (except maybe the upcoming M version) of the BMW 3 Series. Especially the Interior!
Nice car….wish it had some standard features it deserves…back-up camera, fog lites, the same intellilink as Buick, etc…but, I like it. Also, that extra charge for white paint is just wrong….I do wonder how many basics are even going to be available….I know my dealer will have one but also with some added features as they always do!
Dealer tells me $600 to install back-up cam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CRAZY
I would have to get the caramel interior….but all the black trim might be too much for a small car…..I am anxious to see the real car so then I will know more what I am talking about. Has anyone seen the car yet?
The cheap part of me says that an ATS with the 2.5 Standard trim and the palm sized screen is good enough for my needs.
Since my need are that of a serial arsonist, the more normal people out there will want to drop those awful rims and at least make it to the 2.5 Luxury trim. Can’t make much of a case for the 2.5 Standard without CUE or the turbo.
Grawdaddy…..yes, a nice buffet but with no drink…just water? Oh well, it is a Cadillac and that is what always happens….charge extra even for a pretty paint color!
In any car any brand.. base stands for broke a** sorry excuse, for not getting the real deal
A base Cadillac should be better than this…no locking gas cap????? Crazy.
Matt…..A Cadillac should have better standard features. IMHO….the Verano has a long list of things the ATS does not offer until you get the Luxury series for $4k or more…that is just not right….I think they will lose a lot of sales to Buick or BMW unless a person absolutly want the Crest on the car?
Well……I wonder how well it will actually sell this year. Probably some good deals on the few base ones in stock?
ERIC, I will wait for a close-out or until the new coupe comes out……maybe the basic white will finally come back too!!!!! Should have leather-bolstered seats as standard…or at least a choice of interiors?
A coupe? Great idea…..would just love that….not enough around and it would sure help Cadillac….like the CTS coupe but ATS should be ever nicer, I’m thinking
ERIC, ATS is so nice but very expensive for what is offered at base….will have to really think about this after I look. I hope there is a big sale as others have stated…that should help people who are on the edge a bit? I hope there are people at GMC/Cadillac who are watching what we all have to say about this.
Actually, my complaint about Cadillac has been too much chrome-plated plastic vs. the understatement you see in a BMW. So, I like the restraint shown in the exterior.
That said, a Cadilac should have adequate power (std. turbo) and CUE.
I have high hopes for this model line
Josh….yes, chrome and plastic….not a good mix. It does give a feeling of cheapness that is bad for brand.
Josh….no ass brows as in Verano….I really like the elegant rear end and sexy spoiler. Would be so classy in white or black
Still looks good but with a four cylinder engine, unless it’s supercharged or turbo changed 33,000 thousand is a hefty price. Just because it’s a Cadillac doesn’t justify the price
Alex…..would you buy ATS?
Dan, I sure would. But only after comparing it to the 2012 3er.
Alex, no ATS here til September at least….I sat in new XRS…nice but did not like the all-black interior…also felt rather small for some reason…and I am not tall. But a very lovely car…would like to see the blond interior personally. Isn’t the BMW 3 series a lot more expensive than ATS base? I checked the BMW site and it was $38k for base and I only added the wood trim and pleather seating was standard…black was only standard color…others were all $550
Alex, 2.0 is standard on BMW so, it is about $4k more to start out
Dan, here is the base pricing:
328i Sedan (2.0T) – $36,500
ATS 2.0TStandard – $35,795
The difference is negligible.
Trouble with BMW is cost of maintaining it…I guess that is why the lease….I have a feeling the new Cadillacs/GMC are better….my last Cadillac was a money pit and I got rid of it
Alex, maybe you will like ATS better than the Camaro you said you like?
Would be a tough choice, as I like both cars. Let’s put it this way: it’s a good problem to have
Yes, but ATS is a Cadillac…just me saying that of course. Still hoping next year there is a coupe and more standard…Manoli says GM people review what we all have to say on this site….maybe they listen!!!!!! Good luck on your choice when you are ready to buy…..
Alex, ATS is a Cadillac…nothing like a new Cadillac!
Alex…yes a new BMW would be fun …a friend in LA had leased one and she just loved it but too $$$$ to maintain and keep it, she said
Alex, I am not going to buy BMW
I like it ……………….
I wonder how may upgrades/accessories will be available at Cadillac delaer…fogs, locking as cap, wood trim, etc…….lots of people will want them for certain
I love RWD and I drive a lot so a base model ATS sounds like the best commuter car ever made. I would probably upgrade the grill, fog lights and rear exhaust to look like more upscale models. I saw a road test were the 2.0t only got 23mpg on the freeway and that’s on premium gas. I wont give up my Hemi Magnum that gets 20 on regular for that small an improvement. I hope the 2.5 gets an honest 30mpg
Tom,I agree that it would be a perfect commuter car…..it should do very well on gas with 2.5…that is what I will get if I finally decide on colors, etc…….it is an elegant car and decent interior room for most of us…..I am going to drive the 2.5 this next weekend. Don;t like it does not have rearview unless you get the options on it…..sunroof and heated seats should do it.
Tom, I asked Cadillac garage about fogs and was told there was no information available to add them as of yet…and $600 at least for a rear camera!!!! The base radio is very nice…The CUE does not work on command as it should so there will be some kind of recall or tune-up coming I bet. At any rate, it is a sharp car.
I test drove a base model the other day with CUE and the 2.5. I didn’t care for CUE, no surprise there, but I also didn’t care for the 6 speed auto transmission. It shifted to much, to slowly and to noticibly. For example going 50mph and wanting to accelerate to 55 would always cause a downshift, its like the engine has no torque. Full throttle was good, but low and mid range was too weak. And I am comparing this to my old 2000 4runner with a 2.7L four cylinder. It had 4 speeds and it felt like it had more torque. But I admit it only got 24mpg at best and only had 150hp. But I would rather have low and mid range torque than top end when I have an automatic.
Tom, Thanks for the info….I am going to drive 2.5 this Saturday about town but will have to take to the highway, I guess…..I drove the bigger engine one a month or so and did not go very far in it so it was hared to tell….I will compare it to the Verano that I really liked…that car was smooth and so quiet!