This article is part of the GM Authority Wish List series for the Cadillac ATS — a collection of changes, updates, and modifications we’d like to see made to the family of compact luxury vehicles. The purpose of the Wish List is very simple: to create awareness of the issues we have found with the vehicles so that Cadillac can address them in the future, whether via a refresh or a next-generation model, all in an effort to make the best luxury cars on the market, bar none.
The GM Authority staff has collectively spent a significant amount of time with the ATS, both as drivers and as passengers, in both Sedan and Coupe body styles, with all four engines, all five trim levels, and with various degrees of features and equipment. In other words, this wish list is not the result of a knee-jerk reaction after a day or two with the car. It’s the result of living with the cars, sometimes for several months. In fact, one of our founders happens to own a 2015 ATS 2.0T Premium with the six-speed stick.
We should note that at times, the Wish List series might appear like nitpicking, as it will point out the smallest features, characteristics, or components. If it seems that way, it’s for a reason, since we believe that the devil is in the details, especially when it comes to prestige luxury vehicles. As such, we honestly believe that addressing these issues will improve the product, grow the brand, and — ultimately — lead to an uptick in Cadillac sales. And as journalists who also happen to be GM and Cadillac enthusiasts, few things would make us happier. If nothing else, it would result in a Cadillac we’d be proud to buy, to own, and to show off to anyone willing to look and listen.
Keeping in mind that this wish list is by no means in order, here goes our the second item: the gauge cluster.
The gauge cluster on the current Cadillac ATS is the least attractive, least luxurious in its class. There, we’ve said it.
The standard and only gauge cluster on the Cadillac ATS
That isn’t to say that the cluster is ugly. But with all half-moon-style readouts set on a sea of black, it simply strikes us as uninspired; not a good way to describe an element of the car that the driver will look at and interact with each time the car is driven. Luckily, change is in the air, and the 2017 Cadillac XT5 crossover introduces an all-new gauge cluster design that’s infinitely more attractive than that of the ATS family. But having a new and attractive cluster in the XT5 doesn’t help the ATS, does it?
Even the gauge cluster in the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V isn’t very inspiring, though it does differ from non-V ATS models thanks to a red outline.
The solution can be two-fold: the first is to entirely redesign the ATS’ gauges along the lines of those in the XT5. The second is to replace the analogue cluster with the high-definition, all-digital unit offered in the CTS. Not only is the 12.3-inch digital cluster infinitely more attractive, but it also can be configured in different ways, such as Balanced, Enhanced, and Performance for different driving scenarios.
This all-digital, high-definition, 12.3-inch gauge cluster is optional on the Cadillac CTS, and it’s significantly more attractive than the standard analogue version
In Summary
What we wish for:Â a new gauge cluster that’s heaps more attractive than the current unit.
Why we wish for it: because the current gauge cluster isn’t very pleasing to look at, despite being something the driver looks at and interacts with each time the car is driven.
Who to look to for examples: Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. Or, better yet, the gauges in Cadillac’s own XT5 crossover.
The 2017 Cadillac XT5 introduces a new, significantly more attractive gauge cluster design for the Cadillac brand
Comments
Don’t waste a wish as this is already on the way.
Luckily in the case of this series, we can have as many wishes as we want 🙂
Hoping that most if not all of them are granted.
Johann has already commented on the dash and he is not a fan. I think that is his command not his wish.
Either way, it’s an area of opportunity for improvement. A massive one.
Didn’t someone said the ATS won’t have the TFT display because it was too big to fit?
Besides, both ATS and CTS need the full led headlights.
Lets just move on to the main problem with this vehicle….the exterior of a middie sized car and the interior is the size of a compact car.. I guess the designers still live in Lala land where high fashion before practicality rules !!
It has the exterior and interior of a compact… there is nothing midsize about the ATS.
It’s both uninspired…and ugly!
This is one wish I wholeheartedly agree with. I know it’s not fair to compare it against the new Audi A4 that was recently launched, as the Audi is a brand new model, but Cadillac needs to really come with guns blazing, as the Audi’s cluster is like 3 or so generation ahead. Cadillac needs to go back to the drawing board with the entire interior, as the big hitters in this segment are not fooling around, this is the most important segment in the luxury business, as every company looks for the newer and young buyers
OMG !! Audi cluster is confusing and ugly at best!
At a distance, the entire cast resembles a Malibu. Time for an update reskin, pronto!
ATS, in it’s current state, is no 3 Series rival. The new Jaguar is up to the task do Cadillac had better hurry.
The odd thing is, you could easily update the cluster that’s in the ATS now, its the same cluster underneath as the Corvette and LaCrosse/Regal, except they have a screen in the center where where speedometer is. Even if they just went to a center display with different schemes available, it would be an improvement.
Will there be a refresh to the ATS series for the 2017 model year?
This better be available as an Option in the mid-cycle refresh for the ATS because current cluster is uninspiring at best. Its already an option in the CTS, so the engineering & test should already be done. Its insane to try to get perspective ATS buyers to choose a CTS because certain trivial options are not available.
Might be the wrong page for this, but how hard is it to replace the clusters? Say I buy an ATS and want the 12.3in from a CTS. Is it plug and play?
Thanks!