2013 Cadillac ATS: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2013 Cadillac ATS was an all-new model and the first year of the nameplate. Its headline change was the debut of Cadillac’s compact sport sedan on a new rear-wheel-drive platform.
About the 2013 Cadillac ATS
1st generation ATS sedan, first model year on Cadillac’s Alpha rear-drive platform.
Cadillac positioned the ATS as a driver-focused luxury sport sedan built to take on the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class with lighter weight, quick steering, and balanced handling. The brand’s message centered on sporty road manners without giving up premium materials, quietness, and modern cabin tech. In plain terms, the ATS is the small Cadillac for shoppers who want luxury-sedan comfort but care just as much about how the car feels on a winding road.
The 2013 ATS ranged from a straightforward 2.5L Standard sedan to turbocharged and V6 versions with a stronger focus on performance and luxury. Luxury trims brought leather, an 8-inch CUE touchscreen, and parking assistance, while Performance and Premium versions added features such as adaptive headlights, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, premium audio, navigation, and a head-up display.
What changed, by category
2013 Cadillac ATS specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | V6, Flex Fuel, 3.6 Liter | V6, Flex Fuel, 3.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | V6, Flex Fuel, 3.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD | AWD | RWD | RWD | AWD | RWD | AWD | RWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Flexible Fuel | Flexible Fuel | Gas | Flexible Fuel | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Horsepower | 202 hp | 320 hp | 320 hp | 202 hp | 320 hp | 270 hp | 270 hp | 270 hp | 270 hp |
| Torque | 191 lb-ft | 267 lb-ft | 267 lb-ft | 191 lb-ft | 267 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 10.4 cu-ft | 10.4 cu-ft | 10.4 cu-ft | 10.4 cu-ft | 10.4 cu-ft | 10.4 cu-ft | 10.4 cu-ft | 10.4 cu-ft | 10.4 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in | 33.5 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||||
| Adaptive Headlights | |||||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | |||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||
| HID Headlights | |||||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||||||
| Bluetooth | |||||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||||
| USB Ports | |||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||||||
| Folding Rear Seat | |||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||||
| Remote Start | |||||||||
Frequently asked questions
Was 2013 the first year of the Cadillac ATS?
Yes. The 2013 model was the first Cadillac ATS, launching the compact luxury sport sedan on Cadillac’s rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform.
What engines did the 2013 Cadillac ATS have?
The 2013 ATS lineup had three engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.6-liter V6. The turbo and V6 versions also used Brembo front brakes.
Did the 2013 Cadillac ATS have all-wheel drive?
Yes. All-wheel drive was offered on 2013 ATS models with the 2.0-liter turbo engine or 3.6-liter V6. The 2.5-liter models were rear-wheel drive.
Which 2013 Cadillac ATS trims had the most technology?
The Premium trims had the richest technology package. They featured built-in navigation, a head-up display, adaptive HID headlights, Bose 10-speaker audio, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning.
How were the 2013 Cadillac ATS trim levels organized?
The 2013 ATS used Standard, Luxury, Performance, and Premium equipment levels, although not every engine came in every level. Luxury focused on cabin comfort and convenience, Performance added more driver-focused equipment and safety features, and Premium carried the fullest technology package.