Is C&D Saying The New Cadillac ATS Is As Good As A 3-Series Or Is This The 'Play It Safe So We Don't Lose Ad Dollars' Review?

Is C&D Saying The New Cadillac ATS Is As Good As A 3-Series Or Is This The 'Play It Safe So We Don't Lose Ad Dollars' Review?
New Cadillac ATS to go head to head against BMW 3-Series!

That is the hype coming out of Michigan about Cadillac's new entry in the most competitive/prestigious segment in cars today.

GM just held the press drive in Atlanta (We were not invited) and the big mag reviews are just starting to hit.

I just read the C&D one this morning.

But to my dismay, I'm not sure what to make of it.

Did they REALLY like it?

Or was this a 'Play it safe review because we need their ad dollars and we don't really care about the readers, just our bank accounts review'?

Here is a quote below from the review.

"Cadillac’s biggest challenge will be to get buyers of German cars to take serious notice of the ATS. Based on this experience, we think they should give it a shot."

Take a read of the full article at the link and let us know what you think...I must say I personally am a little SUSPECT.

And what's so wrong just saying it's a nice car that will appeal to a different audience? Is it THAT bad if it ISN'T as good as a 3-Series?

Read Article

LexSucksLexSucks - 7/24/2012 1:56:42 PM
-3 Boost
"It's a first drive. Calm down......
BD"


- Exactly!! And why are they comparing it to the BMW 3-Series? They should be comparing the Cadi to the class leader, and that would be the Lexus IS.


LexSucksLexSucks - 7/24/2012 4:39:42 PM
-3 Boost
BD,

Why didn't they include the Lexus IS in this comparison?


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 7/23/2012 3:18:12 PM
-3 Boost
whats wrong with you?


LexusLexus - 7/23/2012 3:45:35 PM
-1 Boost
I don't think so. The BMW 335i and G37 coupe/sedan still more fun drive and faster than this new Cadillac.

Here is a review on insideline,

http://www.insideline.com/cadillac/ats/2013/2013-cadillac-ats-premium-full-test.html


HoustonMidtownHoustonMidtown - 7/23/2012 4:03:29 PM
+2 Boost
http://www.totalcarscore.com/car-reviews/comparison-tests/entry-luxury-sport-sedan-comparison-test


HoustonMidtownHoustonMidtown - 7/23/2012 4:04:33 PM
+4 Boost
"The all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS manages to find the sweet spot between these sport sedan stalwarts. It provides equivalent performance, nearly identical driving enjoyment, more sophisticated technology and better value than the 3 Series. It also feels substantially more advanced and refined than the G37 without costing substantially more money."


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 7/23/2012 6:18:14 PM
-3 Boost
Houston - It should be as it is smaller with a pathetic 10 cu ft of trunk space, alot smaller in back seat & alot less shoulder room. Plus for $48k, I can get a fully optioned out 328i sedan that is only .3 second slower than the Cadillac, yet gets almost 5 mpg fuel economy ...


MorePowerMorePower - 7/23/2012 11:58:39 PM
-1 Boost
Total Car Score is an amazingly horrible automotive review site. One review of the ATS article and anyone can see that it was written from press releases, half-assed website research, and the benefit of having GM give them the keys to the Cadillac first.

Total Car Score writes their articles from press releases and PR talking points.


cidflekkencidflekken - 7/23/2012 4:53:47 PM
-5 Boost
this Caddie is NOT exciting to look at. Been looking at it for years with the CTS.


NostradamusNostradamus - 7/23/2012 11:19:09 PM
+6 Boost
Which his still worlds better than the new-ish 3-Series coming out looking like the previous model with a broken nose, a botched butt lift and an cheap tablet haphazardly plopped on the dashboard.


globaltraderglobaltrader - 7/23/2012 9:13:05 PM
+1 Boost
Gonna hafta try one, the vids of ATS on the ring showed a well tied down unit. I'm ready for a domestic that rocks. In that price range:)$$


91z4me91z4me - 7/23/2012 10:31:34 PM
+4 Boost
"GM just held the press drive in Atlanta (We were not invited)"

Sour grapes Autospies?


Agent001Agent001 - 7/23/2012 10:57:53 PM
-3 Boost
No, just didn't want to get emails asking why we didn't give our opinion of the car because we are invited to most of the auto press events.

And don't get me wrong, we are fans of Cadillac.

We gave the Escalade ESV The Luxury SUV of the year in 2007.

SHOULD they have invited us?

That is a question you have to ask them.

Maybe they were afraid we wouldn't like it and seeing we have more premium readers than any other site, it was a gamble they were not willing to take.

001



NostradamusNostradamus - 7/23/2012 11:11:54 PM
+6 Boost
Oh Please... Just because their opinion/assessment doesn't happen to be what you (Agent001) want to read doesn't mean that they're being paid off - Geez!

Had they instead declared the (new same as the old) 3-Series vastly superior you'd surely have a completely different attitude.

Anyway... Good Job Cadillac.


Agent001Agent001 - 7/23/2012 11:42:52 PM
-1 Boost
My skepticism is based on the fact that NONE of these traditional outlets EVER give a HARD opinion GOOD or BAD.

They never take a chance, nor predict success or failure of a car and there can only be ONE reason for that.

When I read the reviews from sites like TTAC I'm comfortable knowing what they thought was REAL and their personal opinion. Not a review that has been combed over by editors who DESPERATELY need their ad dollars to survive.

Remember, their rates at those mags are old school and not in line with what most want to pay anymore seeing it can be bought on blogs for much less.

The only thing they can do is BE bought in this world of advertising at those rates.

But the good news is it's only a matter of time before the final bye-byes for their world.

001


MorePowerMorePower - 7/24/2012 12:07:26 AM
-1 Boost
While I agree that BMW's recent trend of bland styling and ubiquitous sightings at every: mid-level management gathering, sorority mixer and affluent senior city outing; I doubt the ATS is the car that will take down the Germans(at least not until GM throws heavy rebates and low interest rate loans).

While it will compete, it will most likely only draw consumer that are either very loyal to be brand, can not find another "American" option or simply buy the ATS to be different for different sake.


MorePowerMorePower - 7/24/2012 12:12:59 AM
-1 Boost
While the article is a first drive, the first page to page and a half deal more with car's options and how big the infotainment screen is instead of actually how the vehicle drives and handles.

While the vehicle dynamics are included in the article, they are buried in seemingly list of pr checkpoints that C/D had to mention before they were given the car for "testing" purposes.


BobWBobW - 7/25/2012 11:23:35 AM
+1 Boost
Great looking car. The very distintive Cadillac styling fits this car well. I like the interior styling and it looks like it's high quality.
I've read C&D for many years, so I predict the eventual comparo finish will be: BMW, Audi, Cadillac and M-B. Not necessarily by merit but the typical C&D predictability.
BW
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