2018 Cadillac ATS Coupe Review

Name: 2018 Cadillac ATS Coupe Review
Brand: Cadillac
Price: 14748 USD

Price Estimate: $14,748 - $17,212

+216

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by Dan Frio^{Correspondent
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

Pros

Takes quick turns and curves with ease, an ace handling machine
Optional manual transmission is rare in this class

Cons

The back seat and trunk are small compared to competitors
Turbo four-cylinder engine is noisy and not that fuel-efficient
Many interior controls and ergonomics are more clever than functional

What’s new

The 2018 Cadillac ATS coupe features the latest generation of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) tech interface, which promises more intuitive operation and a smartphone-style navigation app. Mechanically, the ATS coupe remains unchanged.

Vehicle overview

When you think of luxury sport coupes, you normally think of Germany's best. But the 2018 Cadillac ATS is another option to consider, especially if you're more interested in performance than gilded luxury. A light curb weight, a choice of turbocharged four-cylinder or V6 engines, two available suspension setups, and even an optional manual transmission give the ATS legitimate performance chops.

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For sale near Scottsdale, AZ

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2018 Cadillac ATS Coupe
Luxury Coupe
$18,587
- 70,515 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
- 4cyl automatic
- Kia of Muncie (1,511 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
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Located in Muncie, IN
Clean CARFAX. Kia Muncie. We are open online 24/7! Get pre-approved, receive a prompt trade evaluation and purchase from the comfort of your home. We ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1G6AF1RX5J0120776
Stock: 120776B
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-21-2025
New Listing
Stock photo^**
2018 Cadillac ATS Coupe
Luxury Coupe
$22,450
- 25,282 miles
- 1 accident, 4 owners, personal use
- 4cyl automatic
- Frank Beck Chevrolet (1,574 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Hillsdale, MI
2018 Cadillac ATS Coupe Luxury AWD.
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1G6AF1RX8J0126412
Stock: 25118A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-16-2025

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The ATS coupe is respectably comfortable as well. But there are downsides. The ATS sacrifices some function with its tidy cabin dimensions, cramped back seat and small trunk. The four-cylinder sounds raspy and coarse at high rpm. We've also found the touchscreen tech interface (called CUE for Cadillac User Experience) slow and awkward compared to the competition, although a new-generation system in this 2018 model may remedy that.

Success in this crowded, competitive segment is a tall order. The ATS coupe isn't necessarily faster or more efficient than its rivals, which include the Audi A5, BMW 2 Series and 4 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. But it is competitive, and that's enough to warrant consideration for your next luxury sport coupe.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.1 / 10

With eye-catching angular sheet metal, agile handling and unique technology features, the 2018 Cadillac ATS coupe stands out among today's crop of small luxury coupes. A tight cabin and trunk space limit practicality, but otherwise the ATS is one of today's most distinctive luxury coupes.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2017 Cadillac ATS Coupe Premium Performance (3.6-liter V6 | 8-speed automatic | RWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.1 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	7.0
Interior	6.0
Utility	6.5
Technology	6.5

Comfort

7.0

The downside to the ATS' focus on handling and performance is a stiff ride that comes at the expense of comfort. The all-important front seats are still supportive over the long haul. But it is on the loud side.

Seat comfort

8.0

The driver's seat is firm, bordering on uncomfortable. On long drives, though, this firmness can keep you supported and comfortable. The side bolsters on the seat bottom are wide and accommodating. The rear seats aren't comfortable for adults.

Ride comfort

7.0

This is a firm, sports-carlike ride. Comfort depends on the road surface. Find one with the wrong rhythm of small bumps and it will buck you about considerably. Some bigger bumps will lift you from the seat. Other sport coupes share these qualities, so the ride is not a deal-breaker off the bat.

Noise & vibration

6.0

Cadillac is capable of building a quiet cabin. It just isn't the one in the ATS. This cabin is the kind of loud where front passengers have to consciously raise their voices to communicate with backseat passengers. Road noise is the biggest culprit, though the wind and engine do contribute.

Climate control

7.5

The buttons for the climate controls definitely aren't as easy to use as others. Once engaged, however, the dual-zone system works well enough that you can set the temperature and forget about it. Both front seats are heated.

Interior

6.0

The ATS-V coupe offers the driver and front passenger a roomy place to sit. But it seems the wants and needs of the styling department have resulted in controls that are unnecessarily difficult to use and a rear seat that's largely useless for anyone past grade school.

Ease of use

5.5

Everything the driver needs to access is placed logically and within easy reach. The major concerns are the center stack controls. The buttons are smooth, slick and polished, with no way to tell what's what by feel. It forces the driver to look away from the road to operate. And that is never a good thing.

Getting in/getting out

7.0

The doors open wide, enhancing front-seat access. Automatic seat controls operate impressively fast to move the front seat forward and grant entry to the back seat, but it's still a narrow squeeze. Rear passengers require both front occupants to scoot their seats forward. Not the best in its class.

Driving position

8.0

The steering wheel tilts and telescopes with considerable range. The side mirrors, despite their size, also adapt well to suit driver height. The driver's seat has enough adjustability that most will find acceptable backside-coddling positions. It's easy to set up this cockpit the way you like it.

Roominess

6.0

Much like its coupe competitors, the ATS cannot be considered roomy. The interior dimensions are sporty-snug for all passengers. Up front you'll be rubbing elbows. Still there's room enough for a 6-foot passenger to fit with minimal compromise. Back seats are best for kids and people you don't like.

Visibility

5.5

The sideview mirrors are very narrow, arguably too small, though we could find a position to provide adequate visibility. Otherwise, sightlines are clear to the front and sides, but they're limited out the rear due to a high parcel shelf. The standard rearview camera helps.

Quality

6.0

Despite recent advances, the Cadillac ATS-V still lacks the solid quality feel found in its Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz peers. Improving its hard plastic interior materials, shift paddles that feel like plasticware, lame gauges and slippery steering wheel would help a lot.

Utility

6.5

Sporty luxury coupes aren't known for convenience, but the Cadillac ATS coupe forces even more sacrifice due to lack of cargo and storage space. It can handle most typical day-to-day duties, but other coupes are better suited to weekend getaways and long trips.

Small-item storage

6.5

The door pockets, cupholders and the center armrest bin are smaller than some others in this class. A secret smartphone bin with a USB port is hidden behind the climate control panel, but this is more gimmicky than useful.

Cargo space

6.5

Trunk space is awkwardly shaped and smaller than average, with only 10.4 cubic feet of capacity. The trunk liftover height is a bit high and the broad rear wheelwells also consume usable space. There's an average-size pass-through when the rear seatbacks are folded down.

Child safety seat accommodation

7.0

Each rear seat has two LATCH anchors and one upper tether. But access is tight, so flexibility is a must for any child seat installs. The steeply sloped seat bottoms may cause trouble depending on the type of seat. Generally speaking, it's no worse than any other coupe in the segment.

Technology

6.5

The Cadillac CUE touchscreen is as advanced as any of its peers. But its soft-touch sliders and less than intuitive menus offer something to be desired. Fortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, as well as a Wi-Fi hotspot, are standard.

Audio & navigation

5.0

The CUE infotainment system responds quickly and returns haptic vibration to confirm each finger stroke. Despite its age, the design still looks sleek and progressive. But functionally, the need to look away from the road to distinguish between one soft-touch slider and the next is problematic.

Smartphone integration

8.0

There are enough USB ports to handle all your devices, but learning to pair a phone and accessing the Wi-Fi hotspot requires some digging into menus. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard and are far easier to use.

Voice control

7.5

The standard voice controls are fairly reasonable, but the big payoff comes when you pair a smartphone and access Siri or Google Voice commands by pressing the same button for longer.

Compare 2018 Cadillac ATS Coupe trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Cadillac ATS Coupe models

The 2018 Cadillac ATS coupe is a four-passenger compact luxury coupe offered in four trim levels: base, Luxury, Premium Luxury and Premium Performance.

Base and Luxury trims come with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (272 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional, but only with the automatic transmission. Premium Luxury and Premium Performance trims come with a 3.6-liter V6 engine (335 hp, 285 lb-ft) paired to an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional on Premium Luxury. Premium Performance trims are rear-wheel-drive only.

Key standard features for Base trims include 18-inch wheels, heated side mirrors, a rearview camera, keyless entry and ignition, power-adjustable front seats, and simulated leather upholstery. Tech features include the revamped CUE interface with 8-inch touchscreen display, OnStar services (with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot), Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, wireless device charging, three USB ports, and a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with satellite radio.

The Luxury trim adds adaptive xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, additional front-seat power adjustments, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a navigation system and driver-position memory settings. The optional Safety and Security package adds driver assistance features such as forward collision alert, lane departure warning and intervention, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams and automatic wipers.

Picking the Premium Luxury gets you the Safety and Security package as standard plus a sunroof.

The Premium Performance trim includes all the previously mentioned features, plus high-performance tires, a sport-tuned suspension, adaptive suspension dampers, a limited-slip rear differential, a head-up display and a power-adjustable steering column.

Many standard features on the upper trims are optional on lower trims. The Driver Assist package, available on the Premium Luxury and Premium Performance trims, adds the head-up display, adaptive cruise control and advanced safety technologies, including forward and rearward collision mitigation and automatic emergency braking.

The Track package, available only on the Premium Performance trim, adds a heavy-duty engine cooling fan and upgraded brake pads. All rear-wheel-drive Base, Luxury and Premium Luxury trims can add the V-Sport Performance Suspension Upgrade package, which adds 18-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and high-performance tires.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Cadillac ATS Coupe 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.00 per gallon for premium unleaded in Arizona.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Arizona

$192/mo

$165/mo

Avg. Compact Car

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Cadillac ATS Coupe Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

21 reviews

5(29%)

4(57%)

3(9%)

2(0%)

1(5%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

eye catching look, no more granpa cadillac

Ponco, 11/16/2017

2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe Luxury 2dr Coupe AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I've own a coupe since the day I first purchased my vehicle. Cadillac ATS coupe is a real upgrade for me from my beloved Honda Accord Coupe that has been discontinued from 2018 model. The overall look is just great and I got so much compliment from my neighbors. There some pros I'd like to state; a) there are not many around and I rarely see the same model that I drive (see sedans but …

Great car except for two problems.

Walter Marsh, 05/29/2017

2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe Standard 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

This is a great car as far as acceleration and handling goes. Plus, in my opinion, it's a great looking car and has a reasonably comfortable interior. The back seat is unsuitable for adult passengers but I didn't buy a coupe for four people to ride in. I do think the workmanship is very good. There are two major problems. I do not have the cue system and as I'm not much for high tech …

Love my ATS

Eddie T Theo, 06/02/2018

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe Performance 2dr Coupe AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Previously owned two Cadillac CTS and put over 100,000 miles on both of them. After just a couple of months, I love my ATS Coupe - smaller size, performance, style, comfort, technology - it’s the complete package.

Underappreciated Coupe

drewf, 04/24/2017

2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe Luxury 2dr Coupe AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

This was really a genuinely fun car to own and drive. I drove the 4 series and the C class, and this car performs very much on their level, if not exceeding them both in acceleration, handling, and ride comfort. It instills confidence. What it lacks is the level of luxury refinement of those vehicles, and others in this class. Cadillac has come a long way in developing this car. They …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Cadillac ATS Coupe, so we've included reviews for other years of the ATS Coupe since its last redesign.

See all 21 reviews of the Cadillac ATS Coupe

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2018 ATS Coupe Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$37,895
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$192/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the ATS Coupe models:

Safety Alert Seat: Generates vibrating pulse patterns in the driver's seat cushion to alert to potential collisions or unsafe maneuvers.
Teen Driver: Limits certain vehicle functions for teen drivers. Can also capture data and generate a "report card" for owners to review.
Forward Collision Alert: Issues an alert if a potential collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian seems imminent, and can initiate braking if necessary.