If YOU Were In The Market For A Cadillac, Would You Get The ATS Or Pony Up MORE $ For The CTS?

If you were in the market for dog-food that you were going to eat for dinner, which one would you buy?

Caddy and I don't see eye-to-eye.

Ha ha ha. Woof. Woof.

If the only choice was Cadillac and if I have a pretty flexible budget, I'd do everything to get the CTS VSport.

I agree, that or the XTS...but unfortunately I'll have buyer's remorse every time I pull up at the light next to a Benz or Bimmer...

CTS. ATS looks like a chick car.

But in reality, not many people would consider buying a Cadillac.

ATS - I like the smaller size compared to the CTS

Do you want a fully optioned ATS or a relatively base CTS for your $50K.

People that discount the ATS, The CTS or Cadillac in general either have not driven them or just read what the magazines say, or discount what the mags say. These are world class cars, period. IMO the Infiniti's are 2nd tier, and Lexus, well I just don't put them in the same category as the Germans, pedigree perhaps, lineage, history? I compared the ATS with the 3 Series, the C Class & the A4. I have driven E Class for years and really like the size, but upon comparison the ATS, IMO, beats the others. The car has presence that the others don't. You see tons of 3 Series, and leased C Class all over my town. The ATS is different and people notice it. The 3.6 is a fantastic engine with 321 normally aspirated power. Brembo brakes, red leather interior, its a terrific package.

That said, I've sat in the new CTS and its very similar, but bigger. My next car will probably be another E Class or the CTS. Discount them for bias, for whatever reason you wish, but they're excellent cars. JDSM - your opinion is irrelevant, when your mom finds out you're using her lap top again, you're going to be grounded for life!

There's no question Cadillac is in a very good position right now. However, a phenomenal chassis can only take you so far. IMO, the ATS is the better styled of the two, yet its shortcomings (transmissions, CUE, entry-level engine, small backseat) are too hard to ignore. The CTS' front end looks great in pictures, but are barely noticeable on the road. They truly just don't stand out. And the rear styling of the CTS is really surprising in how old-school-Cadillac it is…not a good thing. And, comparatively, the rear seat space of the CTS is, I think, the smallest in its class. And the interiors of both are very "American luxury". Nice enough, but not inspiring enough.

Or they don't like the styling in a big way. Hello! :-) BMW's "Flame Surface" styling language left me cold, too, even though I recognized they still handled and performed well. If it's ugly to my eyes, then I don't want it.

Cadillacs are supposed to have a decent ride - the ATS doesn't. Cars are supposed to have spare tires - the ATS doesn't. No ATS for me.

Cidflekken: your comments are right off the tv reviews, and some magazines. Have you used the transmission? the CUE? I have one and the day to day operations are fine. If you're doing a review perhaps a professional driver might find faults but no one that drives either, on a day to day use is going to have an issue with the transmissions. The CUE is cool and easy to use, once you use it daily and understand it. Could it use adjustments, couldn't everything in this non perfect world?

From a styling perspective the current C and 3 are yesterday yawn. The new C is perhaps a looker but the new S is ehh, and the E is a total yawn. The current 5 is done, and ready for the redo, but still nothing like the late 90's car. The CTS is striking when you first see it on the road. Have you seen any? I think not. Clearly your bias is from what you've read and not use. I'm not defending either car, they don't need to be defended, just driven and compared. The ATS is wonderful and better than the A4, C Class, and 3 Series, and multiple publications have agreed. The CTS is also more than a match for the others. Car & Driver placed it well about the E and 5.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2014-cadillac-cts-vsport-twin-turbo-v-6-test-review

abqhudson - ATS is a sport sedan... sounds like you need a Buick or a Lexus...

I'll keep my Benz and have driven BMWs for many years (left BMW when the spare tire went away - I drive in the west and often more than 100 miles away from a replacement tire). German cars can handle without being harsh.

If I had to pick, I would pick the ATS. That said, Cadillac is doing what a lot of automakers are doing, and that is translating too many of the same styling cues from one model to the next...too much 'sameness' across the line. Every model is either a stretched or shrunken version of another model. Cadillac world class? That's a bit of a stretch.

Leej have you driven either or is that just your opinion?

abqhudson - I drove E Class for years, the ATS is the best car I've ever had. That said, I like the size of the E better.. so next car is likely another E or CTS. Sounds like logistics and geography mean you've got specific needs, I'd agree with you!

The image of a Cadillac driver as an older conservative white guy still resonates too strongly for me. Not as bad as Buick, but close enough.