2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe
Without a doubt, the most exciting American sport sedan in decades is the Cadillac ATS. Since it arrived for 2013, the ATS has fully stood its ground against the best four-doors that Germany has to offer. Now Cadillac is following that up with a coupe version. So, let’s see if, even with two less doors, it’s just as able.
As the first compact sporty coupe to ever wear the Cadillac crest, the 2015 ATS Coupe has got a tall bar to top, to make headway into a small, clearly European dominated segment.
Now, being drawn from the wonderful ATS sedan certainly helps. Indeed, GM hasn’t done anything major here beyond crafting a 2-door body onto the ATS chassis. So if you liked the sedan, chances are you’ll really like the Coupe.
Unlike many sedan/coupe siblings, wheelbase stays the same, though the 2-door’s track has been widened for better handling, and a more muscular appearance, especially at the rear.
Only the hood is shared, the rest of the body panels are unique. Though sleek and stylish, it comes off a little conservative compared to ATS and CTS sedans, and that’s apparently intentional. Still dynamic and very well done overall, lots of emphasis is placed on aerodynamics, including extensive underbody shielding. 18-inch wheels are standard, with a wider footprint at the rear.
The ATS Coupe also launches a new Cadillac crest. A big large for our taste, it will quickly work its way throughout the lineup.
What’s under that shared hood is not quite as shared as the 2.5-liter I4 is not available. Just the delightful 272-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo, uprated to 295-lb ft of torque, and our car’s 3.6-liter V6 with 321-horsepower and 275 lb-ft. The V6 is automatic only, but, like the sedan, you can choose a 6-speed manual for the turbo-4.
Watching weight is still an ATS hallmark. But, poundage does see a slight increase over a comparably sedan. 3,530-pounds total in the case of this V6, with a little more of the weight over the front wheels.
That’s barely apparent from 0 to 60 as this 2-door gets the job done in 6.2-seconds. The automatic yields quick, nearly seamless shifts, pushing through the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds at an even 100. That’s only slightly off the pace of the last turbo-4 sedan we tested.
When it comes to handling, there’s the same 5-link IRS, and double pivot MacPherson strut front suspension, but with unique tuning that feels a tad stiffer than the sedan. For best results, you can upgrade to the FE3 sport suspension with Magnetic Ride Control, as well as a mechanical limited-slip rear diff.
The belt-driven, variable effort electric steering works well, with precise inputs and decent feel. All-wheel-drive is available with both engines. Brembo brakes are standard, but just for up front. And that was enough to bring things to a halt in a short average distance of 120-feet from 60.
The interior is well-crafted. We especially like our car’s carbon fiber accents. The enhanced CUE system makes for easier smart phone use. Most info is easier to find, and the touchscreen seems more responsive. Front seats are as comfortable as we remember; the steering wheel still feels great in your hands; and the gauge panel is still clear and comprehensive. This Coupe is a 2+2 so rear legroom is tight. Still, the seats cushions are comfortable.
Two different safety packages are available: Driver Awareness and Driver Assist; and include back-up camera, full-speed range adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, front and rear automatic braking, head-up display, and of course GM’s safety alert vibrating seat. Trunk capacity stays the same as the sedan at 10.4 cubic-ft.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings for the V6 are also the same as the sedan at 18-City, 28-Highway, and 22-Combined. We averaged a fine and fun 23.8 miles-per-gallon of Regular. The Energy Impact Score falls about average at 15.0-barrels of yearly oil use with CO2 emissions of 6.8-tons.
Base pricing for a standard 2.0-liter ATS Coupe is $38,990; V6 pricing begins at $46,145.
If Cadillac had come to us for advice before building the 2015 ATS Coupe, we would have told them to keep the sedan’s performance intact and keep the price under 40. Well, they did us one better by keeping the price reasonable, and packing in even more total performance. We think that much like the sedan, the ATS Coupe should be an instant sales success and have no problem carving out a spot among the luxury sport coupe elite.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.6 liter
- Horsepower: 321
- Torque: 275 lb-ft.
- 0-60 mph: 6.2 seconds
- 1/4 mile: 14.6 seconds @ 100 mph
- EPA: 18 mpg city/ 28 mpg highway
- Energy Impact: 15.0 barrels of oil/yr
- CO2 Emissions: 6.8 tons/yr
2025 Buick Enclave
Buick’s Biggest Utility Gets More Premium Look, Less Premium Powertrain
Buick is now an all SUV brand with the three-row Enclave sitting at the top of their lineup. And for this all-new third generation, it looks like Buick has finally given it the true flagship treatment it deserves. Reason enough for us to see what else new this posh performer has in store.
Don’t think of this 2025 Buick Enclave as just a new third generation of Buick’s largest three-row SUV, but more of a total reboot for a luxury segment pioneer. Part of that reinvention is swapping out the 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine, that has been the heart of this large crossover since it arrived on the scene for 2008, for a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
Though using two fewer cylinders, it rates 18 more horsepower at 328. The gain in torque is even greater, climbing from 266 to 326 lb-ft.
Power from a start and when tooling around town feels pretty good, but you do notice that engine working hard under the hood; there is more engine noise and it’s not as smooth as many competitors who have also made the switch to turbo-four power. Max towing rating remains at 5,000 lbs. The new standard automatic transmission loses a gear, dropping from nine to eight, a simplifying move we applaud. All-wheel drive is a $2,000 option with all trims.
The Enclave rides on the same front-wheel-drive based chassis that supports the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. It remains the most luxurious of the three, though all have made big upward strides. And that luxurious feel is very evident inside where things appear special without flaunting it. Materials are vastly improved over the last gen, especially in top Avenir trim which is the choice for most Enclave buyers.
Front seats are very comfy, well suited for long days of highway travel. It’s hard to miss the 30-inch ultra-wide display, similar to Cadillac’s. It is big, but not intimidating as operation is very logical and you can easily configure things as you want them, including bringing the nav screen up full in front of the driver.
Front seats are very comfy, well suited for long days of highway travel.
Between the seats is a very substantial console with lots of storage space and standard wireless phone charging. There is definitely room for full-size adults in all three rows of seating. Big, plush captain’s chairs with all trims for the second row; and a less plush but still comfortable three-place third row.
GM’s Super Cruise has now made it to Buick’s lineup, available as a standalone package for any trim. It remains a favorite of ours for hands-off highway cruising. Despite feeling adequately powered on the street, the Enclave’s turbo-four felt a little out of its element at our Mason Dixon Dragway test track. There was very little jump off the line, just a slow wind up to 60 of 8.0 seconds, with the quarter-mile completed in 16.0 seconds flat at 92 mph.
We could really feel the Enclave’s weight in our handling course, about 150-lbs. over last year, even with less motor under the hood. But there was very little body roll, and no excessive oversteer or understeer. In panic braking runs, there was good feel through the pedal, and solid stops from 60 averaging a fine 111 feet.
To all of our eyes, the Enclave is bigger yet much better looking than before. Now more sophisticated using Buick’s PURE philosophy which emphasizes Purity in design, Unexpected details, Refined finishes, and Exceptional execution.
With all-wheel drive, Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 19 City, 24 Highway, and 21 Combined; we managed a great 24.9 mpg of Regular. That’s a slightly below average Energy Impact Score, consuming 14.2 barrels of oil yearly, with 7.0 tons of CO2 emissions.
No more Essence or Premium Enclaves, as the new gen brings new trim names along with it; the base option now being Preferred which starts at $46,395, and unless you choose white, you’ll be paying extra for all exterior colors. Just a short step from there to the Sport Touring for $48,795, and then a much bigger bounce up to Avenir at $59,395.
With so many big utes now aimed at luxury and near luxury buyers, it’s getting harder and harder for Buick to stand out. Being an all-utility brand, with one of the freshest lineups in the industry, will no doubt help. The 2025 Buick Enclave is a very stylish, well-equipped, well executed large three-row crossover that’s priced right.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 2.5-liter turbo-4
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 328
- Torque: 326 lb-ft.
- EPA: 19 City | 24 Highway | 21 Combined
- 0-60 mph: 8.0 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 16.0 seconds at 92 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg.): 111 feet
- MW Fuel Economy: 24.9 mpg (Regular)