Motor Trend reviews the $78,995 ATS-V

[996GT2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZAZOiUZWOU

The thing that stood out to me was just how expensive the ATS-V is. Starting price is $63,660, and the "as-tested" price was $78,995!

For that money, I'm not sure who the target market for this car is. That kind of money buys a loaded M3/M4, including the $8,000 carbon-ceramic brake option, or a nicely optioned C63 AMG or RS5.

It's not like the Cadillac has anything special for an engine, either. If anything, the boosted Pentastar V6 in the ATS-V is less special than the engines in the M4, C63, or RS5.



And does anyone else feel like the ATS-V's design is a little awkward? To me, it looks like the front and (especially) rear wheels are too small for the car.

vs the M4:

 

[Ramses]

Both got that melted bar of soap thing going heavy but the caddy has some wonky proportions on the rear C/qtr area, yes. I'd have guessed it was a new hyundai tiburon looking at it without any hints. tiburon type-ARRRR, the front bumper gives it away.

 

[sandorski]

It is awkward looking, too many sharp lines. Time to ditch the Stealth Fighter theme.

 

[LTC8K6]

the boosted Pentastar V6 in the ATS-V

Why is Cadillac buying engines from Chrysler?

 

[Jimzz]

Why is Cadillac buying engines from Chrysler?

They are not, he's just a badge queen looking for any excuse to put Cadillac down.

I guess GM should have massive fuel pump failures, head bolt issues, carboned up DI engines, etc... to make them more "special" engines like BMW.

 

[Railgun]

If anything, the boosted Pentastar V6 in the ATS-V is less special than the engines in the M4, C63, or RS5.

Where'd you pull that from?

It's GM's LF4.

And I think Cadi knows exactly who their competition is.

 

[Demo24]

That's only 4k from the start of a cts-v, although I suspect it will have all the options you'll want in the CTS which will send that one to 100k+.

 

[Smoblikat]

I wouldnt buy any of them. Buy an old WRX/Fox Body/M3/Porsche/anything else for like $20,000 and put the rest of the money into it to make it faster.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

This is a car that makes a lot more sense to me at its base price (around $60K) than its fully-optioned price. I do not look at that design (or that interior) and think, "this looks like a $75K GT car."

 

[pauldun170]

This is a car that makes a lot more sense to me at its base price (around $60K) than its fully-optioned price. I do not look at that design (or that interior) and think, "this looks like a $75K GT car."

How much should a Luxury car with the ATS-V level of performance and features cost?

 

[Railgun]

I do not look at that design (or that interior) and think, "this looks like a $75K GT car."

+A large number. That fits the bill for many US makes, IMHO. That being said, I don't like the interior of MB either.

The reality of it will be how people attach to it. Meaning everyone has their favorites in this market. An Audi customer may shop BMW and MB, maybe even Lexus, but will they jump ship to GM? Same thing vice versa. Sure, there will be some, but I think most are too subjective in their opinions than not to switch. GM will need a longer track record of being competitive enough to grab the attention of the rest of that market.

Even that review thinks yeah, it should be in the conversation, but not necessarily win out. I wouldn't doubt that's the consensus.

 

[Railgun]

How much should a Luxury car with the ATS-V level of performance and features cost?

You just mentioned the issue. It's a Lux performance vehicle. If it weren't, it would be...well, I don't know what it would be. A Charger Hellcat is even ~60k.

The performance alone doesn't dictate the cost. It's the whole package.

Little things (included options) like wifi hotspot...wireless charging. Who cares? Power steering column? They're actually using that as a comparison...

 

[CropDuster]

This is a car that makes a lot more sense to me at its base price (around $60K) than its fully-optioned price. I do not look at that design (or that interior) and think, "this looks like a $75K GT car."

How much should a Luxury car with the ATS-V level of performance and features cost?

I thought the same thing as Don at first, but it's shocking how little 50k gets you nowadays.

 

[Jimzz]

I thought the same thing as Don at first, but it's shocking how little 50k gets you nowadays.

Yep, a top of the line Ford Taurus breaks the 40k mark now. Toyota Avalon has been getting close to the 40k mark the last couple years.

Cars, and esp trucks, cost a lot more when you get higher end and add options.

 

[Viper GTS]

I think the (base) CTS-V is going to be the far more compelling package at around 10% more than this. Why would you get this when you can have a Z06 motor in a CTS for 10% more?

Viper GTS

 

[Art&Science]

Sounds like OP is a fanboy (nothing wrong with that). The ATS is every bit as good and maybe better than the M3. The new M3 is a bit soft anyway. A coworker has a brand new M3 (he paid 78K); I rode in it last week. Awesome car for sure, but is soft.

 

[Anubis]

my dad has a CTS-V and while ive never been a real fan of how it and the ATS look. they look a lot better than the new M3. I just googled it and that is not an attractive car at all

 

[EightySix Four]

I think the (base) CTS-V is going to be the far more compelling package at around 10% more than this. Why would you get this when you can have a Z06 motor in a CTS for 10% more?

Viper GTS

Size. The new CTS is big.

 

[LTC8K6]

I would think the TTV6 will offer a large fuel economy jump over the Supercharged V8.

 

[master_shake_]

And does anyone else feel like the ATS-V's design is a little awkward? To me, it looks like the front and (especially) rear wheels are too small for the car.

vs the M4:

i agree with this...

what the hell is the quarter panel so low for??

 

[NutBucket]

I wouldnt buy any of them. Buy an old WRX/Fox Body/M3/Porsche/anything else for like $20,000 and put the rest of the money into it to make it faster.

Then obviously you miss the point completely. You buy a luxurious car cheaper or you can buy a faster car cheaper. You're paying for the whole package.

 

[Art&Science]

Size. The new CTS is big.

There is a new CTS in the parking lot at work and it looks smaller than the old car.

 

[Jimzz]

There is a new CTS in the parking lot at work and it looks smaller than the old car.

They got bigger with each Gen. The first Gen was smaller than a 5 series but larger than a 3 so many had a hard time do a comparison.
2nd gen got a little bigger and the ATS came out. The 3rd gen moved a little bigger as well. Now there is enough size difference to really differentiate the lines for Cadillac now.

So its easier to compare against other high end luxury car lines.

 

[EightySix Four]

There is a new CTS in the parking lot at work and it looks smaller than the old car.

I believe the new CTS is ~6 inches longer and similar in height/width. It's about 8 inches longer than the ATS as well. Definitely compares more strongly to the 5 series than the 3. As to why someone would buy the ATS-V over the CTS-V, why did anyone buy the M3 over the M5?

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

I'm still disappointed Caddy toned down the sharp lines of the old CTS for the new ATS/CTS. I find it funny you guys complain it has too many straight lines. The design is way softer than the old "Art & Science" theme.