The 2019 Cadillac ATS Coupe is well worth a look for shoppers in the market for something somewhat different in a compact luxury two-door version. Built to compete with its renowned upscale German rivals, the ATS matches them in functionality and features while offering its own unique brand of sharply creased design. While the angular style may not appeal to everyone, those who buy into the slab-sided, muscular appearance will wind up driving a car that will not be mistaken for anything else on the street.

The 2019 ATS Coupe is more than only a good-looking two-door Caddy, however. Lightweight mass, a selection of turbocharged four-cylinder or V6 engines, and two optional suspension setups give the 2019 Cadillac ATS Coupe the sort of performance chops typically reserved for Europe’s established luxury sport coupes. But with comfy seats, a quiet ride, and a sleek design, the 2019 ATS does not forsake its regular road-going manners.

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2019 Cadillac ATS Coupe Review

Eye-catching layout, crisp cutting-edge, and handling technology features make the 2019 Cadillac ATS Coupe a standout in the compact luxury coupe segment. Tight interior space and a little trunk limit its everyday practicality but complete the 2019 Cadillac ATS is one of the most distinguishing luxury coupes on the road today.

The 2019 Cadillac ATS sacrifices some function with its smallish cabin measurements, cramped rear seat, and little trunk. The four-cylinder sounds raspy and rough under exertion; I would urge buyers to consider the optional V6. The CUE infotainment system has improved considerably since its introduction, but some still find it awkward to operate.

Success in this crowded, competitive section is a tall order, however, the ATS Coupe is a valid competitor for shoppers contemplating sport-luxury coupes like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the BMW 2-Series, and 4-Series, along with the Audi A5.

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2019 Cadillac ATS Coupe Configurations

The 2019 Cadillac ATS Coupe is a four-passenger compact luxury coupe available in four trim levels: Standard, Luxury Premium Luxury, and Premium Performance. The Standard comes pretty well equipped, along with the Luxury and the Premium Luxury which add increasingly more lavish – and safety-oriented capabilities. The Premium Performance trim has sport-tuned tires and suspension, among other attributes, is ideal for enthusiast drivers.

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Engines and Transmissions

Standard and Luxury trims include a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (272 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque) paired with an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. An all-wheel-drive system is an option, but only with the automatic transmission.

Premium Luxury and Premium Performance versions have a 3.6-liter V6 motor (335 hp, 285 lb-ft) paired with an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional on Premium Luxury; Premium Performance trims are rear-wheel-drive only.

Trim Level Features

Key standard features for the base model ATS trim includes 18-inch wheels, heated side mirrors, a rearview camera, keyless entry and ignition, power-adjustable front seats, and faux leather upholstery. Tech attributes include the revamped CUE interface using an 8-inch touchscreen display, OnStar and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a Bose audio system, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto smartphone integration, wireless device charging, three USB ports, and an AUX port.

The Luxury trim adds adaptive xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, added front seat power adjustments, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and driver-seat memory settings. Options include an updated version of CUE bundled with navigation and a 110-volt household-style power socket. The Safety and Security package adds driver aid attributes such as forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist, blind-spot tracking, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and rain-sensing wipers, and the Security Alert Seat, which vibrates the driver seat to warn of lane drift, possible crashes or other dangers.

The Premium Luxury adds unique 18-inch wheels, a sunroof, adaptive high beams, rain-sensing wipers, and the Safety and Security package driver assistance features.

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

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Packages and Options

Many standard features on the top trims are optional on lower trims. The Driver Assistance package, available on the Premium Luxury and Premium Performance trims, adds the head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and advanced security technologies such as forward and rearward collision mitigation and automatic emergency braking. Wireless apparatus charging is also available as a standalone alternative.

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

Fuel Economy

The best fuel economy includes the rear-wheel-drive 2.0-liter turbo engine coupled to the automatic transmission, which is EPA-rated in 25 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway). Choosing the V6 and all-wheel drive lowers the rating to 22 mpg combined (19 city/27 highway).

Interior

The 2019 Cadillac ATS Coupe delivers the driver and front passenger a roomy place to sit. However, the wants and demands of the styling department have led to controls that are unnecessarily tricky to use and a back seat that is largely useless for anybody older than grade school.

Utility

Sporty luxury coupes are not famous for convenience, but the Cadillac ATS forces even more sacrifices because of its 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.

Technology

The Cadillac CUE touchscreen is as complex as some of its peers. However, its soft-touch sliders and less-than-intuitive menus provide something to be desired. Luckily, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and a Wi-Fi hotspot are standard.

Final Thoughts

The 2019 Cadillac ATS Coupe boasts the comfy, well-equipped interior buyers expect in this industry segment. Premium materials abound, even in the base model, and options like leather seating surfaces, exotic wood veneers, and carbon fiber allow for an assortment of incremental measures up in luxury.

Standard features include dual-zone climate control, power front seats, along with the CUE system using an 8-inch touchscreen display. Upfront, there is more than enough space for the driver and passenger to stretch out, but those in the back seats might feel the quarters are somewhat cramped.