Category Archives: Cadillac User Experience

Go Buy a Cadillac ATS and have FUN!

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The new Cadillac ATS is not winning comparison tests for acceleration.  The 3.6L V6 with 321 hp will get the ATS from 0-60 in around 5.4 seconds, which is pretty quick.  But some competitors can do better.  The 2L Turbo, 272 hp  ATS does 0-60 in under 6 seconds — Cadillac says 5.7 seconds.  Again, competitors for the 2L are quicker.

Cadillac ATS interior

Cadillac ATS interior

No one who writes for a magazine, newspaper, or website seems to like CUE (Cadillac User Experience), except perhaps me.  Cadillac designed the interface to be just like your tablet or phone, so you can squeeze this and swipe that.  CUE is not instantly responsive in all cases though, so that makes it something to criticize.  Okay.

Yet the magazine writers keep concluding that the Cadillac ATS is more fun to drive than competitors.  Let’s think about that for a minute.

The Cadillac ATS is MORE FUN than a BMW, or a Lexus, or a Mercedes, or an Audi.  You know an even more interesting thing?  I have read more than one V-Series owner suggest an ATS with a manual transmission was as MUCH fun if not more fun than their CTS-V!

Cadillac ATS roadtrip test -- ready for anything

Cadillac ATS roadtrip test — ready for anything

Isn’t MORE FUN the most important thing you want in a luxury sports sedan?

Here’s my suggestion for Cadillac’s new Ad campaign:

Cadillac ATS — It’s Fun to Drive.  It’s Fun to Own.
Go Buy a Cadillac ATS and have FUN!

Cadillac ATS available in late August

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Cadillac ATS available in late August according to Cadillac.  Cadillac is sharing some new photos with the message,

Sun sets on Patagonia. The all-new ATS, available late August.

We knew the Cadillac ATS was due at the end of the Summer, and August sounds good for when that might be.  Here was a previous example mention:

ATS goes on sale this summer, but already the new sport sedan is positively impacting Lansing, Mich., where more than 410 new employees have been hired at Cadillac’s Lansing Grand River plant where the ATS will be assembled. A total of 600 new employees are expected to be part of Cadillac’s $190 million investment in the facility.

But now have an update: the Cadillac ATS available in late August.

Gallery of Cadillac ATS Tour shots:


Along with the recently available Cadillac XTS, the Cadillac ATS is very important to Cadillac. The ATS will compete directly with the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C Series.

At under 3,400 lbs, new power trains, new Cadillac User Experience (CUE), the Cadillac ATS promises to bring new levels of Sport and Luxury to the Sports Luxury class.


The Cadillac ATS is already highly anticipated among auto enthusiasts.  The ATS brings a new level of power to weight and performance at a entry-level price for Cadillac.

Quick pricing summary:

  • Standard 2.5L Four: $33,990
  • Turbo 2L: $35,795
  • 3.6L V6: $42,090

After the Cadillac ATS arrives in late August we should hear more about the 2014 Cadillac CTS redesign, as well as Escalade and ELR.

Even with the Cadillac ATS available in late August it may arrive to some dealers in early-to-mid September.  That is late for new graduate sales as a first college car, and it misses the fun in the sun summer sales.

I am looking forward to the Cadillac ATS, especially in a V-Series variant.

Cadillac CUE – there’s an app for that

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Cadillac CUE – there’s an App for that!

Cadillac CUE App Videos or Tutorials

Cadillac CUE App Videos or Tutorials

One of the great things about the new Cadillac XTS is that it comes with an IPAD.  On the IPAD is an app which helps teach the new owner about the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) in the XTS.

Cadillac User Experience includes the touch screen center console, the programmable dash, and the various entertainment, communication, and information features.

The App is available in the App store — so even if you don’t have a new Cadillac XTS with IPAD, you can install the free app and learn how to tailor the new CUE system to your heart’s desire.

Cadillac CUE Tutorial

Cadillac CUE Tutorial

The app has videos that show various CUE features, and tutorials on how to do specific things with the CUE system.  As in the image above, a shadow hand in the tutorial shows you exactly what you need to do — touch, swipe, or push — to get the desired effect.

Cadillac says:

This application includes numerous videos and tutorials on the use of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE), which debuts on the new 2013 Cadillac XTS. “How Things Work” videos hi-light CUE’s capabilities and walk users through key functions. Interactive tutorials engage users with 3 separate skill modes (beginner / advanced / expert) and enables them to “test-drive” CUE, replicating many of the controls and features of the CUE center stack and gauge cluster on the vehicle.

Ideally run the app on your own IPAD until you get your Cadillac XTS!  Then you can be ready to setup the new Cadillac CUE system exactly the way you want it to work.

  • The Cadillac CUE app is free, and required iOS 4.3 or higher.
  • Link to Cadillac’s CUE info site.
  • CUE category on this blog.