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The ATS's styling is lean and athletic. Vertical LEDs in the headlights and taillights make it immediately recognizable at night. In the daytime, the shape is a bit too similar to the larger CTS for my taste. That should change when a new, bigger CTS hits the market in a year or so.

The ATS marks a significant phase in Cadillac's renaissance. The first CTS helped re-establish Caddy as a first-rate luxury brand a decade ago by offering a car the size of a BMW 5-series for the price of a smaller 3-series. BMW could've been forgiven for telling Cadillac to pick on somebody its own size. With the 3-series-sized ATS, Cadillac finally is, and it does very well indeed.

More Details: 2013 Cadillac ATS AWD 2.0T Premium

All-wheel drive five-passenger sport sedan

Price as tested: $50,810 (excluding destination charge)

Rating: * * * * (out of four stars)

Reasons to buy: Performance, features, style, value

Shortcomings: Interior storage, sensitivity of controls, visual similarity to CTS

Competitive EPA fuel economy ratings

(All-wheel drive, automatic transmission models)

Cadillac ATS AWD 2.0T: 20 m.p.g. city/30 m.p.g. highway/24 m.p.g. combined. Regular fuel.

Audi A4 2.0T Quattro Premium: 20 m.p.g. city/30 m.p.g. highway/24 m.p.g. combined. Premium fuel.

BMW 335i xDrive: 21 m.p.g. city/31 m.p.g. highway/24 m.p.g. combined. Premium fuel.

Infiniti G37x: 18 m.p.g. city/25 m.p.g. highway/20 m.p.g. combined. Regular fuel.

Lexus IS 350 AWD: 19 m.p.g. city/26 m.p.g. highway/22 m.p.g. combined. Premium fuel.

Lexus GS 350 AWD: 19 m.p.g. city/26 m.p.g. highway/21 m.p.g. combined. Premium fuel.

Lincoln MKZ 2.0L AWD: 22 m.p.g. city/31 m.p.g. highway/25 m.p.g. combined. Regular fuel.

Mercedes-Benz C300 Luxury 4Matic: 20 m.p.g. city/29 m.p.g. highway/23 m.p.g. combined. Premium fuel.

2013 Cadillac ATS AWD 2.0T Premium

All-wheel drive five-passenger sport sedan

Base price: $45,995

Price as tested: $50,810 (excluding destination charge)

Safety equipment: Antilock brakes; stability control; auto-dry brakes; hill-hold and start assist; front knee air bags; front and rear seat side air bags; curtain air bags; driver awareness package; rear vision camera; daytime running lights.

Specifications as tested

Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection DOHC variable timing 16-valve four-cylinder.

Power: 272 horsepower at 5,500 r.p.m.; 260 pound-feet of torque at 1,700-5,500 r.p.m.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

EPA fuel economy rating: 20 m.p.g. city/30 highway/24 combined. Regular fuel.

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 109.3 inches

Length: 182.8 inches

Width: 71.1 inches

Height: 55.9 inches

Curb weight as tested: 3,453 pounds

Where assembled: Lansing

Comparative base prices

(not including destination charges)

(All-wheel drive models with automatic transmissions)

Audi A4 2.0T Premium Quattro: $34,600

BMW 335i xDrive: $44,800

Infiniti G37x: $38,850

Lexus IS 350 AWD: $42,780

Lincoln MKZ AWD 2.0L: $37,815

Mercedes-Benz C300 Luxury 4Matic: $38,950

2013 Cadillac ATS at a glance

Vehicle type: Rear- or all-wheel-drive five-passenger sport sedan

Power: 202-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder; 272-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder; or 321-horsepower 3.6-liter V6.

Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic.

Price range: $33,095-$47,795 (Excluding options and destination charges)

Key Features on vehicle tested:

Safety equipment: Antilock brakes; stability control; auto-dry brakes; hill-hold and start assist; front knee air bags; front and rear seat side air bags; curtain air bags; driver awareness package; rear vision camera; daytime running lights; power locks, mirrors and windows, memory for driver's settings; manual tilt and telescope steering column; remote keyless entry; push button start; vehicle alarm; dual exhaust with stainless steel tips; all-season run flat tires; Brembo brakes; leather seats; 12-way driver and 10-way front passenger power seats with lumbar adjustment; split folding rear seat with pass through; CUE 8-inch touch screen and voice recognition controls; navigation system; Bose audio; AM/FM/CD, three months SiriusXM satellite radio service; Bluetooth for phone and audio; head-up display; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter; magnesium paddle shifters; alloy pedals; dual zone climate control with air filtration; rain sensing wipers; LED interior and exterior accent lights; high-intensity adaptive headlights; illuminating door handles; remote start; passive entry; universal home remote;

Options: Adaptive cruise control; blind spot alert; cross traffic alert; front and rear automatic braking; automatic collision preparation; black diamond tricoat paint; heated front seats; heated steering wheel.



Distributed by MCT Information Services