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 current family of compact luxury vehicles, as well as to its CT# replacement. 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 an ATS (2015 2.0T Premium, six-speed manual).
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 is the fifth item on our list: a capless fuel filler system on the ATS Sedan.
The look and feel of a vehicle’s fuel filling system — the fuel door, gas cap, and the way in which the entire mechanism works together — is nowhere near the top purchase considerations for a vehicle. So why are we wishing for Cadillac to change it on the ATS Sedan? Because the devil is in the details.
Consider this: it’s entirely possible that an owner of a vehicle might never come into contact with some features and components, like legroom in the second row. On the other hand, the driver will most definitely come into contact with unavoidable elements like the key fob, door handles (inside and out), the steering wheel, shifter, window and door lock switches, and the vehicle’s fueling mechanism, which is comprised of the fuel door and gas cap. And on the ATS Sedan, the cap along with the “string” it’s attached to leave a lot to be desired.
Fuel door and gas gap on 2015 Cadillac ATS 2.0T Premium. Twisting off the cap does not instill confidence in the system’s quality, while the “hook” to hang the cable feels like an afterthought
In fact, we don’t see any difference between the plastic-fantastic fuel cap in the ATS and that in the Chevy Spark or Sonic. This should not be the case for a Cadillac. Moreover, the hook to “hang” the gas cap while fueling the vehicle (so as not to scratch or otherwise damage the paint with the cap) simply pales in comparison to the built-in cap holders of German rivals.
Fuel door and gas gap on 2015 BMW 5 Series (F10). Twisting the gas cap feels smooth, instilling confidence in the quality of the system, while the cap can be conveniently and securely placed in a special compartment at the hinge of the fuel door. PS: don’t mind the dust, it’s a rental.
Nitpicking? Indeed. But we’re looking at the details for a very good reason here: luxury products like the Cadillac ATS Sedan must exude a premium luxury feel at each and every touch point. Every time a touchpoint does not live up to that standard, it deteriorates the user satisfaction/experience and the perception of the product, both of which impact purchase/repurchase consideration, that funnel into conquesting new customers and retaining existing ones.
To understand our point of view on this subject, simply check out the way the gas cap mechanism feels in Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series, and Audi A4 lineup. Twisting to remove and replace the cap in those vehicles feels very smooth, much smoother than the ATS Sedan. And each one of those vehicles offers a highly-refined method to “hang” or otherwise store the gas cap while fueling.
The good news is that Cadillac can not only catch up to, but actually bypass its three rivals from Germany by equipping every ATS, regardless of trim level, with a capless fuel fill system. The setup replaces the fuel cap and cap string with a one-way valve, essentially eliminating the gas cap from the fueling system altogether.
Cadillac already offers the capless fueling system on the ATS Coupe, Escalade, XTS, and the soon-to-be-released 2016 CT6. But it should also bring it to the ATS Sedan as a standard feature.
Now, we are perfectly aware that zero ATSes will be sold on the inclusion of the capless fuel filler feature alone. Even so, the capless filler is a differentiator — something that Cadillac needs more and more of, especially today. Plus, the capless fuel filler will improve convenience (user/owner experience) and customer satisfaction, while elevating the breed of Cadillac vehicles.
Ultimately, it’s the little details — ones that customers may not have experienced or tested during the test drive — that count and delight owners after the initial purchase decision. This is one of those details that, done right, could delight owners and instill confidence in the product, plus increase satisfaction and convenience… all in one fell swoop.
In Summary
What we wish for: a capless fuel filling system to be included as a standard feature on the Cadillac ATS Sedan lineup (the ATS Coupe has it standard).
Why we wish for it: increase in convenience and refinement while being more modern and cleaner to use than a traditional gas cap system.
Who to look to for examples: Cadillac vehicles that currently include the capless fuel filling system, such as the ATS Coupe, XTS, CT6, and Escalade.
Comments
Uhh my 2016 ATS Coupe has a capless system. As does my 2014 CTS Vsport
Hey Jon — you’re absolutely correct, the ATS Coupe does have the capless fuel filler. However, I was referring to the ATS Sedan and didn’t specify that in the original article. I’ve since updated it to reflect that. Thanks for the comment!
One thing I’d have liked are standard rear folding seats.
Every Ford, from the lowly Fiesta, comes standard with a capless fuel system, and this has been so for the last 4 or 5 years, so yeah, I see what you are saying.
My ATS 2015 Coupe has a capless filler.
You know this is the only thing holding me back from buying an ATS.
Does anyone know the added cost to repair a cap less system when it goes bad vs. a cap.
I could name ten more important things than this. Most people do not even know about cap less and many more who never really think about it that do know.
I like the folding rear seat if they can do it and still make it soft and comfortable.
“You know this is the only thing holding me back from buying an ATS.”
Like I specify in the article, it will not make or break a sale. But it definitely is a contributor to the overall ownership and customer experience. GM has a department dedicated to this, by the way.
“I could name ten more important things than this.”
Preceding the article, we state: “Keeping in mind that this wish list is by no means in order, here is the fifth item on our list: introducing the capless fuel filler system on the ATS Sedan.”
So yes, there are more “important things”. These are coming in subsequent installments of the ATS Wish List. But let’s not forget the details like the fuel filling system.
“Most people do not even know about cap less and many more who never really think about it that do know.”
Does lack of awareness make a feature less important? Heck, it has been around for less than 10 years. How long has the gas cap been around? Either way, never thinking about the capless system is the whole point of convenience. Would you not agree?
“Does anyone know the added cost to repair a cap less system when it goes bad vs. a cap.”
The capless is more expensive to repair, roughly 3x that of a capped. But its higher convenience dwarfs those costs… especially when a good amount of the cars in this class are leased and therefore are covered under the B2B warranty for the time of the lease.
Regarding the folding seats: the ATS already offers them… but only on some trim levels. I believe it’s on the Performance and above.
How about just moving the gas door to the driver’s side on this, and every other GM passenger car? having to walk around to the passenger side is dumb.
isn’t it on the passenger side (like BMW/Porsche, etc) because – if you ran out of fuel, you’d be using the gas can on the shoulder side vs. the roadway side? (May date back to roadside assistance).
That’s how it was explained to me…
Sorry –
(may pre-date roadside assistance).
Mondays.
Wait! is right — it’s on the passenger side for safety (emergency fueling) reasons. Just like on BMWs, Benzes, Audis, etc.
I couldn’t agree with the article more . It is things like that that may frustrate the buyer . Things you won’t notice at the test drive but will find after you have owned that new car for awhile .
I wonder if some of this is the fault of the bean counters .
It’s a very small thing but I do agree with the article. My family has 2 Mercedes & while they still use the traditional cap & filler system the MB cap can be twisted easily with one hand & unlatches with only a 90 degree turn & the fuel door hinge doubles as a convenient holder for the cap. Closing it is just as easy & smooth; no effort required to lock it in place. In comparison to our other car (a Mitsubishi) it is night & day.
An interesting oversight for Cadillac since their entire lineup bar the ATS sedan has a capless feature. Hopefully the facelifted versions in the future addresses this.
I wish every GM vehicle had a capless fueling. I work in NJ where it is illegal for the consumer to fill up their own car. on countless occasions, I have had to get out of my car and tell the gas dude to “hang” my cap on the hook. Typically they unscrew the cap and simply let it drop. After many many fills, there are marks on the car. Frustrating.
My wish list for all Cadillacs is to meet and exceed when possible every thing the competition has. That includes quality,performance,gas mileage. Just make it every thing. Anything they can do or offer Cadillac should do better.Hopefully they are working on that.
What I would love to see is a Trans Am version of Cadillac’s ATS.. something that looks like the car driven by Johnny O’Connell at the Pirelli World Challenge Championship with the aero extensions, ground effects and big rear wing.
How about having the low fuel indicator on the info screen in the instrument cluster actually tell you the miles til empty from 50-0 miles instead of just “low”. I know it’s still my own fault for not filling up, but I have run out of gas 3 times in a year and a half in this car because of this. Prior to this car I have never run out in 10+ years of driving.
I have a 2013, idk if this was changed in newer years. I know they changed the tire pressure monitor after 2013 so you can still see the tire pressures when you click off that menu, no idea why these types of things can’t be software updates…