LOOKS
The ATS is a Cadillac, so it has that going for it. And like most Cadillacs, it’s a pretty car all around with a genuinely sporty look to it.

This couple rendition of the ATS is new for 2015, and features two doors (as opposed to the regular ATS sedan and its four doors).

If I had a scale ranking how many compliments I receive from random people for each car I test, the ATS would be near the top of the list (lots of “Nice Cadillac” and similar comments throughout the week). So many vehicles these days just seem to blend in, but when you’re driving a Cadillac, people know what it is.

The big tradeoff with the ATS is space, as in not much space; the back seat is far from comfortable for any grown adult, and the trunk has minimal space -- so for that reason this won’t be your family-friendly ride. You’ll want to move up to the larger Cadillac models if you’re going to tote the family around town.

Regardless of your opinion on the size and how it fits with your lifestyle, most will agree with the high quality of the interior.
You get a luxurious look, complete with wood accents, leather seats (which are heated in the front), a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, plus comforts like dual-zone climate control, heated power outside mirrors passive entry and remote start. There are also some different color and trim combinations available for the first time in 2015.

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER, DRIVE QUALITY
You’ll get two engine choices in the Cadillac ATS coupe; Standard option is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower output; I tested a vehicle with the upgraded engine option, a 3.6-liter V6 engine that boosts output to 321 horsepower and also 275 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive will be the standard option, but all-wheel drive is an option and I would recommend the upgrade.
Transmission is a six-speed automatic on all models with the V6, but the standard four-cylinder engine does have a manual option.

The ATS coupe stood out to me not only in terms of engine power, but handling on the open road. This is a very well-handling, sporty ride in large part due to the suspension setup. It’s a blast to drive as a result and this is a ride you want to take out somewhere beyond the straight highways so you can fully appreciate it.

You get a MacPherson front suspension paired with an independent five-link rear suspension; and there is even an option for driver-adjustable FE3 performance suspension with Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping.

The handling is also aided by a belt-driven electric steering system.
For the brakes you get high-quality Brembo four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. The curb weight of 3530 pounds, light for this segment, also contributes to the impressive ride and handling.

TECHNOLOGY
There’s plenty of tech crammed into a small package here.
You’ll get 3 months free satellite radio, Bluetooth connection for phone and audio streaming, an 8-inch color touch display, a Bose stereo surround sound system and more.

The biggest question technologically on this ride is the CUE system, the user interface which doesn’t match up to Cadillac standards in my opinion. I’m not a big fan of its virtual button setup (I found them unresponsive at times), and even when they do respond I found the time delay to be longer than the systems in other vehicles I’ve tested.

It’s not that the CUE system is all bad news -- it performs all the functions it needs to -- its just the execution of using the system often has snags.

Voice recognition seemed to work pretty well, though, so that’s one positive on this end. The Navigation system also did a great job getting me where I needed to go.

Among other new tech features for 2015 in the ATS are wireless device charging and text message alerts.

OnStar
One tech feature that’s long been a part of GM vehicles is OnStar, but this time it comes with a new and improved twist. The 2015 ATS comes with Onstar with a 4G LTE connection and a built-in WiFi Hotspot feature (you get a three month trial or 3GB, whichever one comes first). This lets your passengers keep their wireless devices connected in the car without using up your data, which will be helpful on road trips.

The in-vehicle WiFi hotspot has a range of about 50 feet from the vehicle. The WiFi works when the vehicle is running or in accessory mode. Pricing ranges from $5 to $50 per month, and full plan details can be found at Onstar.com/4GLTE

WIth the Onstar Navigation system, you can request directions from an advisor. The destination is then sent to Onstar Turn by Turn or embedded nav system, depending how your car is equipped. Directions also can be sent to vehicle remotely via the OnStar RemoteLink mobile app, or directions can be sent to OnStar system from a computer using Mapquest.com.

All ATS vehicles have a five-year OnStar basic plan that includes RemoteLink services (remote start/unlock/horn honk), vehicle diagnostics (monthly email updating owners on vehicle health) and maintenance notifications. You also get a one-year Directions and Connections Plan trial before you would have to pay for those services to continue.
Among the features of this OnStar package are automatic crash notification/stolen vehicle assistance/roadside assistance and turn-by-turn navigation.

SAFETY
For a smaller vehicle, the ATS did very well on government safety tests, which is reassuring. You get strong safety features, including eight standard air bags, a standard rearview camera system, and child security locks on doors.

One safety option you can add is the Driver Awareness Package -- which features safety alert seat, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, Intellibeam high-beam control and Rainsense wipers.

Alternately you can add the Driver Assist Package, which includes everything in the Awareness package plus: Full-speed range adaptive cruise control, automatic collision preparation, automatic safety belt tightening, electronic park brake, front and rear automatic braking, side blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert and full-color head-up display (a very helpful feature that allows you to look ahead at the road and still see how fast you are traveling.)
Putting all these features on the vehicle will add to the price, but you’ll definitely feel a lot safer on the roads, as all your bases are covered in terms of accident prevention.

MPG
I averaged about 22 mpg in the all-wheel drive version of the ATS; Official specs are pretty close to that (18 city/26 highway/21 combined). This is slightly disappointing when compared to mpg in the competition from vehicles such as the BMW 3 series, Audi A4, Infiniti Q50, or Mercedes C-Class. You’re down a couple mpg, but the ride is quite enjoyable so many folks will probably overlook this difference, especially if they want to go domestic in their luxury buying.

PRICE, BOTTOM LINE
The fully-loaded 2015 ATS coupe Premium that I tested came in at $53,775, not cheap but not the most expensive vehicle in its segment. The base version of the ATS, minus all the frills, can be yours for about $38,000.

The Cadillac ATS remains a standout entry in the luxury coupe segment, with its distinct and attractive pure Cadillac look, drives wonderfully and features some strong new tech features for 2015. If this is a segment you are exploring a new ride in, the ATS should be among the stops you make when you begin your test drives.

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