Category Archives: Test Drive

Cadillac ATS First Impressions

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This fine Saturday morning I picked up a new Cadillac ATS 3.6L from Crest Cadillac in Plano, Texas for a weekend test drive.  The Cadillac ATS is the newest Cadillac, still reaching showrooms in numbers.  It promises to be the best-selling Cadillac — and best value — of this generation, so let’s take a close look.

Cadillac ATS First Impressions — ATS is the BMW of Cadillacs

The Cadillac ATS is light and nimble.  By light I mean it weighs around 3,400 lbs versus my STS-V at 4,200 lbs.  By nimble I mean that it goes where you point it, in a hurry.  The lighter weight makes the 3.6L V6 seem more muscular than it does in other Cadillacs — it is more than capable in the CTS, but in the ATS it takes on a whole new attitude.

Cadillac ATS First Impressions – Head on

My test car is a 2013 Cadillac ATS in light blue metallic.  It is a luxury model, with navigation and driver awareness package.  These bring the sticker up to $44K.

I was concerned that rear seat room might make the ATS too small for my family use — but it looks as if it would work fine, and has just enough room for touring.

Cadillac ATS First Impressions — rear

 Cadillac ATS First Impressions — 2L Turbo or V6?

I have argued that the 2L Turbo engine will be the sweet spot for the ATS performance versus value, but if your budget allows the 3.6L is certainly an excellent choice.  It has a healthy growl that is quite charming, and just the right note for a performance Cadillac.

Crest Cadillac

My thanks to Crest Cadillac of Plano for providing me with the ATS to test.  The staff is always ready to help, and I enjoy visiting with other Cadillac fans.

More to follow — I like to get a ‘first impressions’ out on pick-up, then I will add articles through the weekend.

Cadillac XTS Weekend Test Drive Thoughts, Comments, Reflections

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The Cadillac XTS is an excellent choice for a full-size luxury sedan.  It has the latest technologies in everything — power, suspension, braking, entertainment, information.  It is truly innovative in the use of CUE — and every new Cadillac needs this dash display.

This weekend I am test driving a Cadillac XTS courtesy of Crest Cadillac.  See my other posts —   Pickup, Cadillac XTS at Cars and Coffee, Cadillac XTS Virtual Dyno, Cadillac XTS Dash Display.  My test car is a Cadillac XTS with Premium Collection.

Cadillac XTS trunk open

Cadillac XTS trunk open

Highlights

I didn’t get to mention in the other XTS weekend test drive posts:

  • The Cadillac XTS has tons of head room.  Anyone should fit comfortably in this sedan.
  • Light pipes on the door handles are slick and allow the handles to light up at night
  • Interior light in the center console is a very thoughtful touch & makes it easy to find things at night
  • The 304 hp LFX has several aftermarket options for adding power and tuning now courtesy of its use in the Camaro
  • The way the door handle works with the keyless remote is different from my V but very functional.  The button on the handle locks/unlocks the door if you have the key fob.
  • The transmission in the XTS performs very well.  I prefer it in sport mode, but with normal or sport or manual shift with paddles on the steering wheel every driver can have the transmission operate the way they want it.
  • Total integration of vehicle information can’t be overemphasized.  This Cadillac is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the full-size luxury sedan.
  • Huge Trunk — the XTS trunk is a new standard in large trunks.

Headscratchers:

Items that made me go hmmm:

  • Acceleration programmed to be smooth — the XTS is drive by wire, and even in sport mode the throttle goes to 100% with some minute delay to ensure smoothness.  Not perceptible — I saw it in the data-log.
  • Missing the premium engine?  It is unusual for a Cadillac to only be offered with one power plant.  I suspect the actual premium engine is a FWD variant of the upcoming twin turbo 3.6L V6, but it is not ready yet.

 Cadillac XTS Summary

  • Worth the loot?  Yes — if you want maximum luxury + technology in a full-size Cadillac.
  • Why would you choose not to buy? If you want max performance please look at one of the Cadillac V-Series models.
  • Model I would get?  XTS Premium
  • Should I wait for the Cadillac ATS?  The XTS and ATS are very different Cadillacs.  If you want a full-size Cadillac with lots of leg room, shoulder room, full back seat, huge trunk, the Cadillac XTS is your ride.  If you want a small, sporty luxury sedan the ATS is the one.

Cadillac XTS dash display

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The Cadillac XTS dash display is the type of dash I want on every Cadillac I drive from now on.

You can choose from different modes for the display, and a variety of display options within each mode.  The Cadillac XTS dash is one part of the new Cadillac CUE system.

This weekend I am test driving a Cadillac XTS courtesy of Crest Cadillac.  See my other posts —   Pickup, Cadillac XTS at Cars and Coffee, Cadillac XTS Virtual Dyno.

Today Son2 and I grabbed lunch after church, and spent some time configuring and taking photos of the Cadillac XTS dash display.  All of these images are images of the dash of the Cadillac XTS as looking from the driver’s seat through the steering wheel.  Yes, these are all taken in the same car!

Cadillac XTS dash display - Performance

Cadillac XTS dash display – Performance

Performance: in this mode there is a large tachometer and speedometer, but also a large display in the center left for your choice of either vehicle information, phone, navigation, or audio information.

Cadillac XTS dash display - Simple

Cadillac XTS dash display – Simple

Simple: this mode is minimalist.  Speedometer speed is shown in the center with a choice of info like audio to the left and fuel to the right.

Cadillac XTS dash display - Balanced + Nav

Cadillac XTS dash display – Balanced + Nav

Balanced: this Cadillac XTS dash display features full tachometer and speedometer, but gives equal space to car status gauges like water temperature and fuel.  I have elected to have navigation information displayed in the gauge center.  I could have just chosen to have the gauge needle show there for simplicity.

Cadillac XTS Dash -- Too Close!

Cadillac XTS Dash — Too Close!

Warning: This display is warning me that by pulling into a parking space in front of the restaurant I have gotten too close to the nearby wall!

Cadillac XTS dash display - Enhanced

Cadillac XTS dash display – Enhanced

Enhanced: this mode is like the Simple mode, but Enhanced with a few more features.

Cadillac XTS Dash Display — Summary

The Cadillac XTS dash is extremely versatile.  This is clearly the direction that all dashes need to take on every Cadillac in the future.  It also promises even more customization freedom — such as if you could design and upload your own dash templates, or download new templates from Cadillac.com!