Kia Cadenza clips Caddy ATS
Kia luxurious but Caddy is a more agile drive
When I was first asked to compare the Cadillac ATS and the Kia Cadenza, I was a bit confused. The ATS has been competing with BMW’s 3-series and Audi’s A4/S4 for recognition as a proper sports sedan, while the Cadenza has focused in on the softer luxury options from the likes of Infiniti and Lexus, so in my mind they aren’t really competitors in the traditional sense. But for many buyers in the midtier luxury market, these two cars have a lot more in common than many of us might realize. Let’s have a look at how they compare.
Styling
In terms of visual appeal, there is a lot to like on both the Cadenza and the ATS. The ATS’s severe angular styling is what Cadillac has become known for in recent years. They’ve done a great job here, but this car definitely stands out, which may not appeal to all buyers.
The Cadenza is easily the more conservative of the two. With ex-Audi designer Peter Schreyer at the helm of Kia’s design team, this model is very sharp looking.
There really isn’t a bad angle on the thing, although it is quite similar to recent models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Features
When it comes to standard equipment, Kia has the ATS beat by a landslide.
Built to be a contender in the full-sized luxury segment, the Cadenza has all the finishes and options a discerning buyer could want.
The premium trim model comes equipped with everything from touch screen infotainment to a giant panorama glass roof at no extra cost. The list of standard features on the Cadillac, on the other hand, is a bit slim.
They do throw in rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control and Bose audio, but you’ll be paying extra for features such as their CUE infotainment system and glass roof. The other consideration between these two cars is size. The Cadenza is a significantly larger car than the ATS, so it’s definitely the better choice if legroom and trunk space are important to you.
Daily use
After having spent a week in both cars, I find this category a pretty easy one to call. For daily driving and available creature comforts, the Cadenza once again has the upper hand.
Its build quality is impressive, and other than the steering wheel switches feeling a bit cheap and the trunk lid feeling as if it’s made of tinfoil, the Cadenza could easily pass as a $70,000-plus luxury sedan. The Caddy does deliver on build quality, though it has its quirks.
Cadillac’s CUE system, which is your main point of access for climate control, navigation, and audio functions, is just not enjoyable to use. Although it’s newly designed, the CUE interface is slow to operate and many tasks require more steps to complete than necessary. To put it simply, the system is not user friendly, nor is it as good as many competing systems. If you can get past that, the rest of the ATS is quite nice.
Fit and finish throughout the car is very good, and other than the rear passenger seating being a bit cramped, there’s little to complain about.
The drive
This is a simple one to sum up, so I’ll be brief. If you like a soft, cushy ride, buy the Cadenza. If you want to whip through corners and bomb along like you’re on the Autobahn, buy the Caddy.
The Cadenza is much in line with most Lexus/Infiniti products.
Its steering feedback is good, and it doesn’t feel completely disconnected, but its focus is definitely more on comfort than handling.
The ATS handles like a champ on winding roads and is a blast to drive, but it’s really stiff and can be abusive on rough pavement. As far as engines go, the Kia’s 3.3L V-6 delivers a healthy amount of power to keep things moving. Our ATS tester came with the 2.0L turbo-four, which is a great little engine. However, when packaged with all- wheel drive it’s not as quick as I’d hoped. Cadillac also offers a 3.6L V-6 with 321 horsepower for those wanting a bit more go.
The results
I’d never thought I’d say this, but if I had to buy one of these cars, I’d go with the Kia. It may not handle the better of the two, but the fact that it delivers on about 80 per cent of the experience of driving a BMW 5-series for a minimum of $10-12,000 less, is hard to ignore.
The ATS will remain a good option for those shopping against the other fast-handling sedans, but if your math is based on luxury and comfort for the dollar, you need to meet the new Kia.