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 either to the current family of the compact luxury vehicle, and/or on 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 range of compact 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, our own founder 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 ninth item on our list: power-folding side mirrors.
The benefit of power-folding mirrors is obvious: they’re extremely convenient in tight parking spaces — simply fold them in when parking and don’t worry about scratching them on those concrete structural support columns found in parking garages. What’s more, folding the mirrors also works to minimize the chances of them being hit and damaged, whether by a car, by a person walking by, or by some debris. And to top it all off, folding the mirrors also protects the glass (which should be auto-dimming on both sides of the vehicle, mind you).
Besides folding/unfolding at the touch of a button inside the vehicle, Cadillac should also take the convenience a step further by making it possible for the mirrors to fold automatically when the driver remote-locks the vehicle, and unfold upon unlocking.
The sad part is that the ATS offers power-folding mirrors in Europe and the Middle Easter, but doesn’t even offer them (on the ATS sedan or coupe) in North America — its biggest and most profitable market. And that is simply embarrassing. Not because it’s a convenient feature befitting a luxury car like the ATS, but also because the ATS’ primary rivals — the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class — have the feature standard or offer it as part of an optional package or trim level.
At a time of year when luxury car ATP usually rises.
Sales decreased 5.6 percent to 16,670 units during the first ten months of 2024.
Specifically critical minerals supply chain development.
Scheduled for a Spring 2025 launch.
View Comments
Looking at all of the stuff on the wish list. Should never have came to market without any of this stuff. This is suppose to be General Motor Premire Brand and as such should not be lacking in anything. I am a big GM fan an I think Cadillac and any other GM brand should stand head and shoulder abov any competition in any comparison.
Agreed. But it's the unfortunate by-product of developing a vehicle during bankruptcy with little funds. To that end, the ATS turned out quite well. But it needs to be better and aim higher.
ATS was released in 2013, well after their bankruptcy.
They had plenty of time to add the power mirror folding feature.
So, their bankruptcy does not sound as an excuse.
Theoretically, I agree with you. But that's not the way GM works (or at least worked back then): though the ATS was released in calendar year 2013, it was still developed with funds that were pre- and during-bankruptcy. The program was way past being solidified at that point, which results in locked-in budgets.
Well, you sound like you are defending them, while you are really supposed to judge them. Generally, GM's customers or whoever else's customers don't care about GM's budgets or whoever else's budgets; all the customers care about is the products GM or whoever else offers on the market. If GM came short of MB or BMW, this is only GM's issue, regardless of the particular reason - budget constraints, their internal bureaucracy or lack of enthusiasm on their side.
Stunned ATS doesn't have this. C Class has a neat trick -- when you lock the doors the mirrors automatically fold.
It's one thing if Caddy were the leader. They're not. They need to EXCEED competitors, not meet the current generation only to be behind when the next generation is released.
How did Cadillac forget something as simple as this.. as automatic folding mirrors after the engine is shut down has to be a no cost feature in every car Cadillac makes.
Power folding mirrors are offered in ATS/CTS in European and Middle East markets. I agree they should be standard or at least offered here in North America. Even Scion iM and Kia Forte offer option & they are non-luxury models.
That's why GM's Cadillac will never reach MB - because they tend to drop the ball with these small, but functional and important details.
Another example regarding side mirrors: 2nd gen Cadillac SRX did not have LED turning lights on the external side of side mirrors - while lower-grade Buick LaCrosse had them (starting from CXL trim - mine 2010 LaCrosse CXL has these nice yellow LED turning lights on side mirrors, for instance).
That's because, while developing 2nd gen SRX, they somehow missed to add this feature into account. And it looks they still didn't add this feature even for 2016 SRX. On Cadillac. Bid they did on cheaper Buick from the very beginning. So what's the point of Cadillac then? Its sci-fi design boxiness? Nuff said.
Another Cadillac example - not about mirrors this time:
2nd gen SRX did not have HUD (your own link):
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/11/yes-the-2017-xt5-appears-to-have-a-head-up-display/
But 2nd gen LaCrosse, released at the same time - certainly did have HUD as an option.
So, again, Cadillac had less features than Buick. Odd enough, once again.
I have certainly enjoyed your well thought our ATS wish list. I purchased a base ATS4 with the 2.0T for my wife and we both love it. But there are a number of features that should have been included on each and every ATS sold. Starting with the 2.0T being the base engine rather than the 2.5. The base car does not have fog lights! Really, every one of the Fords, Mercurys, Lincolns, Pontiacs, Chevrolets and Saturns I have purchased since 1986 came with fog lights but my Cadillac does not? My Pontiac, Chevrolet and Saturn have remote start, diming rear view mirror and heated seats. My Cadillac did not come with these (although it does have heated seats but it was an option). I have had several supercharged Pontiacs and each of them had a boost gauge. I would like to see a boost gauge on the 2.0T too. As far as power folding mirrors that should at least be an option. I have them on my 2016 Tahoe and very thankful that I do. They can be programed to be automatic if desired.
Unfortunate this is where GM often drops the ball. I just bought a lightly used 2014 Silverado Crew Cab 4x4 LTZ and didn't think to check if it had A/C vents in the rear (my 2002 Ext Cab LT had it) ??
Lack of rear A/C vents is a common issue with passenger cars, regardless of particular make and manufacturer (didn't know about pickups, though).
It's actually an off-topic for the ATS article, but, for instance, my 2010 LaCrosse does have A/C vents in the rear (regulated in the same way as in the front); however, from what I noticed personally, 2012 Lincoln MKZ and 2011 Subaru Outback just don't have these at all.
I (and several others - based on thumbs up alone) don't think it's off topic, as I'm pointing out what should be obvious (folding mirrors on Caddilac or rear A/C on a crew cab LTZ trim truck). And by the way you're wrong when you say it's a common issue with passenger cars - my Volvo XC60 and my VW CC sedan both have rear A/C vents.
Point is "Caddilac" and "LTZ trim" should have both rear A/C vents and power folding mirrors if they're to considered "luxury" segment vehicles / trim.