2019 Cadillac ATS Coupe

Apr 16, 2024, 5:03pm ET

The Cadillac ATS Coupe delivers nimble handling and a high-quality cabin with sleek styling and a powerful turbocharged four-cylinder. Cadillac has put together a serious contender in the compact luxury coupe segment.

Recent changes

With the sedan out of production, the coupe remains the only member of the ATS line-up. It carries on into the current model year essentially unchanged.

Overview

Sporting clean, crisp lines and a traditional coupe profile, the ATS Coupe is the very picture of an elegant, if somewhat understated, two-door. Although it bears a strong resemblance to the now-retired ATS sedan, much of the coupe's exterior is model-specific. It also marked the production debut of Cadillac's new, wreath-less badge.

Weight-saving components like an aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets and natural-fiber door trim panels mean that the ATS Coupe is one of the lightest vehicles in its segment. The low mass pays dividends in terms of handling, which is also aided by a suspension setup composed of a multi-link double-pivot MacPherson-strut with a direct-acting stabilizer bar up front with a five-link setup at the rear.

Performance is further augmented by an optional sports suspension with GM's impressive Magnetic Ride Control system, which can adjust the dampers in the blink of an eye to prevent body roll during hard corners or keep passengers comfortable while cruising.

Inside, the ATS Coupe emulates the CTS with a similarly sharp-edged design and extensive use of premium materials, including stitched surfaces on the dashboard and doors. Befitting its performance-oriented character, the ATS is available with carbon fiber interior trim, while real wood is another trim option.

The ATS Coupe is also offered with Cadillac's new CUE infotainment system, which controls navigation, communication and vehicle settings through an eight-inch advanced tactile-feedback touch-screen designed to emulate the look and feel of a smartphone. The system replaces most of the conventional buttons and knobs on the dashboard, and can be difficult to learn for neophytes.

Powertrain lineup

The ATS Coupe is available with the buyer's choice of two different engines, automatic or manual gearboxes and rear- or all-wheel-drive.

The standard motor is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 272 horsepower and 292 lb-ft of torque - notably, the latter is 32 lb-ft more than in the ATS sedan. Those seeking more power can opt for a 3.6-liter V6 that pumps out 321 horsepower and 274 lb-ft of torque.

A six-speed manual is the default gearbox for both engines, although the turbo four can be spec'd with an enthusiast-friendly six-speed manual. Rear-wheel-drive is standard across the lineup, with all-wheel-drive offered as an option on automatic-equipped models.

Standard and optional features

The ATS Coupe is available in four trim levels named base, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Premium Performance. The first two models come with the turbo four, while the last two receive the V6.

The list of standard features includes Brembo brakes, 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped by run-flat tires, Cadillac's CUE infotainment system, an eight-inch touch screen, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless charging, HD radio, a rear-view camera, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, and a capless fueling system.

Occupant Safety

All ATS Coupe models are fitted with eight airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems and four-channel ABS. In addition, a long list of optional safety features are available, including adaptive cruise control, intelligent brake assist, forward collision alert, brake pre-fill automatic collision preparation, lane departure warning and side blind zone alert.

Key competitors

The ATS Coupe is pitted against worthy rivals like the BMW 4 Series, Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe.