The 2019 Cadillac ATS ranks poorly among luxury small cars. Its performance chops are strong, but it has a below-average predicted reliability rating and an unimpressive cabin quality, and its seating and trunk space are tight.
The 2019 Cadillac ATS's #18 ranking is based on its score within the 2019 Luxury Small Cars category. Currently the Cadillac ATS has a score of 7.1 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 64 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
The Cadillac ATS isn't a very good used luxury car. Available only as a coupe, its rear-seat space is laughable, and its trunk is one of the smallest in the segment. Additionally, the ATS isn’t as nice inside as most other luxury small cars are. This Cadillac's strengths are limited to performance. It has a few powerful engine options and deft, lively handling.
We analyzed 64 Cadillac ATS reviews – along with reliability ratings, fuel economy estimates, and more – to help you decide if the 2019 ATS is the right used car for you.
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Based on listings for the 2019 Cadillac ATS, the average list price is $24,606. Prices range from $38,995 to $67,795 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.
The 2019 ATS’ five-year costs for gas, insurance, taxes, fees, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be about $34,000, or $6,800 per year. That’s slightly above average for the class.
Cadillac cut several features and options in the 2019 ATS. You’ll have to shop for a 2018 ATS if you’re interested in the sedan body style or if you want more manual transmission availability. For 2019, the manual transmission can only be found in the high-performance ATS-V model.
Notably, 2019 was the final model year of production for the ATS.
Compare the 2018 and 2019 ATS »
Here are key changes for the Cadillac ATS over the past few years:
If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2016 ATS, 2017 ATS, and 2018 ATS full reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.
The 2019 Cadillac ATS has a below-average predicted reliability rating of 2.5 out of five.
Read more about ATS reliability »
There are no major recalls for the 2019 Cadillac ATS at this time.
See more information on Cadillac ATS safety recalls »
The 2019 Cadillac ATS coupe is available in four main trims: base, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Premium Performance. There's also a performance-oriented ATS-V trim. The base model and Luxury trim come with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the Premium Luxury and Premium Performance feature a V6. An eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard. All-wheel drive is available in every model except the Premium Performance.
The Cadillac ATS-V coupe features a twin-turbo V6 engine, a manual or automatic transmission, and several performance enhancements.
Skip the base trim and spring for at least the ATS Luxury. That trim adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, and navigation, and it's the first model available with driver assistance features like blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning.
See 2019 Cadillac ATS trims and specs »
Cadillac offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles four years old or less and with fewer than 50,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. Qualifying vehicles see the original new-car limited warranty extended to six years or 100,000 miles. If the model was sold after March of 2017, the bumper-to-bumper warranty is extended for one year, and there's no mileage cap (powertrain coverage is capped at 70,000 miles). Cadillac CPO models must pass a 172-point inspection. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read Cadillac’s warranty page carefully.
Cadillac’s CPO program is OK, according to our analysis, but several luxury carmakers offer better programs. These include Lexus, Infiniti, Audi, and Acura.
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tested the 2019 ATS. This is common among luxury vehicles.
Standard advanced safety features:
Available advanced safety features:
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a much better luxury small car than the ATS. The Mercedes has an opulent interior and more passenger space in its sedan form than the ATS. You can also get this Benz as a coupe or a convertible. The C-Class delivers a pampering ride, and its engine offerings stack up well against the ATS. With the Cadillac, you can get between 272 and 464 horsepower, while the C-Class has four options that range from 255 to 503 horses in the most powerful Mercedes-AMG variant. Prices are a few thousand dollars higher for the C-Class than for the ATS, but it's worth the extra dough.
The 2019 Cadillac CTS is a luxury midsize car. This larger Cadillac has outstanding handling, and the range-topping CTS-V – at 640 horsepower – is more hellacious than any ATS variant. You'll get a larger trunk and decent rear-seat space with the CTS as well. Both of these cars have a so-so interior quality for their segment, the same frustrating infotainment controls, and below-average predicted reliability. If you want a sporty coupe and can sacrifice space, buy the ATS. If you want a little more room or horsepower, go with the CTS.
Compare the ATS, C-Class, and CTS »
The Cadillac ATS comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s peppy enough for most driving situations, and the eight-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth, sharp shifts. However, this base powertrain can be loud and unrefined at higher speeds, and it might feel out of place in a luxury coupe.
An available naturally aspirated V6 engine is better at propelling the ATS around. It also doesn't suffer from the same harshness as the standard turbo-four. The ATS-V is the performance vehicle in the lineup, with a twin-turbocharged V6 that makes it practically ready for the track.
This Caddy stacks up with the best cars in the class when it comes to handling and driver engagement. Steering is well-weighted, and there's ample feedback from the road. Excellent road grip makes it easy to take corners with enthusiasm. However, the sport-tuned suspension results in a stiff ride, which is most noticeable over bumps and potholes.
No matter which engine it's equipped with, the 2019 ATS returns worse fuel economy estimates than comparable luxury small cars.
Read more about ATS performance »
The 2019 ATS coupe seats four people in two rows. The front seats remain supportive whether you’re taking corners or on a long drive. Cabin space is OK, but taller drivers might want more headroom. The car is pretty narrow, so you sit very close to the front passenger. The second row is cramped, and it's hard to get in and out of. A sloping rear roof and tiny windows limit the driver's rearward visibility.
The ATS falls behind many luxury competitors in terms of cabin quality. Materials and design are nice enough, but you’ll probably notice some hard surfaces.
Standard seating features:
Available seating features:
The 2019 ATS has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors for the rear seats.
The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system has sharp graphics and functions smoothly. The downside is that nearly all of the car’s functions, including some for climate and seating, are controlled through the touch screen or other touch-sensitive buttons. When driving, it can be tricky to use these haptic buttons.
Read more about ATS interior »
The Cadillac ATS has one of the smallest trunks in the luxury small car class with just 10.4 cubic feet of space.
General Motors built the 2019 Cadillac ATS in Michigan.
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