Cadillac ATS V6

All Cadillac ATS models have a V6 option, but they all come with a standard four-cylinder inline engine. The upgrade comes at a significant cost of nearly $10,000.
Written by Joshua Levy
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Updated on Mar 23, 2023
The standard Cadillac ATS comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s no joke. But if you’re looking to kick things into high gear, consider upgrading to the optional V6 engine. With over 300 horsepower, your ATS will feel like a totally different ride. 
Cadillacs
have a mixed reputation among consumers. While some people can’t get enough, others feel their reliability has started slipping in the last few decades. But the Cadillac ATS offers a level of power and luxury that most owners agree is well worth the price.
When you decide to buy a car, it’s important to start by doing research. Luckily, we're here to help. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Cadillac ATS’s V6 features, from price to performance.

2019 Cadillac ATS V6

Starting price: $48,395
Engine: 3.6L V6
Horsepower: 335 hp @ 6,800
Torque: 285 lb-ft. @ 5,300
0 to 60: 3.8 seconds
Whether you opt for the four-door sedan or two-door coupe, the Cadillac ATS is a high-performance luxury car that packs a good amount of power for the price. Featuring adaptive headlights, soft leather seats, an adjustable sunroof, and a top speed of 189 miles per hour, the Cadillac ATS stands right at the intersection of power and luxury.
Here are just a few of the features that help the Cadillac ATS stand out from the others: 
  • Safety features: The ATS includes knee airbags, anti-lock brakes, and overhead bags to ensure the driver remains as safe as possible in the case of a car accident.
  • Climate control: The Cadillac ATS’s dual-zone climate control system automatically adjusts temperatures for the driver and passenger respectively. Simply set the desired temperature, and the climate system will adjust accordingly.
  • Infotainment: The ATS comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto preloaded in the infotainment system. It also has a WiFi hotspot and voice recognition system, so you can stay connected and hands-free while you’re on the road.

How’s the fuel economy?

The Cadillac ATS V6 has relatively poor fuel economy at 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. Altogether, that places the Cadillac ATS at a combined 24 miles per gallon. Of course, the average fuel economy in the United States is about 25 miles per gallon, so the ATS doesn’t quite meet the industry standard.

Which Cadillac ATS models have the V6?

All Cadillac ATS models have a V6 option, but they all come with a standard four-cylinder inline engine. But the upgrade comes at a significant cost of nearly $10,000 more. While the V6 engine does offer much higher performance specs than the four-cylinder engine, you may be better off opting out.

How fast is the Cadillac ATS V6? 

True to its name as a premium vehicle, the Cadillac ATS is extremely fast, with a 0 to 60 acceleration time of only 3.8 seconds. If that’s not enough, the ATS also boasts a top speed of 189 miles per hour, which is plenty fast for any street-legal vehicle.
That said, the Cadillac ATS is one of the leading options in speed among its competitors. Here are a few of the ATS’s top competitors and their 0 to 60 acceleration times
Key Takeaway The Cadillac ATS’s V6 engine gives a big boost to the Cadillac’s capabilities, but it’s also a pricey option at almost $10,000 above the base price. 
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Which is better: Cadillac ATS or Audi A5?

At a base level, it’s difficult to compare the Audi A5 and Cadillac ATS. While both are in the luxury category, they start at very different price points—with the base Audi A5 going for $48,000 and the base ATS going for $39,000. Keep in mind that those are the standard prices without V6 upgrades. 
That said, the quality and performance of the base-level cars are worth nothing. The A5 gets better fuel economy and has more sensitive handling than the ATS. Alternatively, the Cadillac ATS V6 upgrade gets more horsepower, a higher top speed, and faster acceleration than the Audi A5. 
The luxury features of each car are nearly identical—both cars have dual climate control, soft leather seats, and an advanced infotainment system with a WiFi hotspot. Of course, the aesthetics are slightly different, but even those are comparable. While the Audi A5 has more of a standard curved appearance, the ATS opts for a sharper, more streamlined look
It’s hard to say that one of these cars is any better than the other, but the ATS is probably a better buy overall. At a base level, the ATS performs fairly well and it’s still about $9,000 cheaper than the A5. When you upgrade to a V6 engine, the ATS and A5 reach an identical price point, but the V6 ATS easily outperforms the base-level A5.
So, unless you’re looking to spend over $50,000 on your next car, stick with the Cadillac ATS.

How to find affordable Cadillac ATS insurance

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FAQs

The Cadillac ATS does come with a V6 option, but it costs an extra $10,000 for the upgrade.
The Cadillac ATS is not considered an extremely reliable vehicle. Consumer reports show that maintenance costs average about $750 a year to keep the ATS in working shape.
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