What are the differences between the Cadillac CT5 and ATS-L?
4 Answers
The main differences between the Cadillac CT5 and ATS-L are as follows: 1. Powertrain: The ATS-L's engine delivers 279 horsepower, with a maximum power of 205 kW and a maximum torque of 400 Nm. The maximum power is achieved at 5,500 rpm, while the maximum torque is available between 2,900 and 4,600 rpm. The CT5's engine produces 241 horsepower, with a maximum power of 177 kW and a maximum torque of 350 Nm. This engine reaches its maximum power at 5,000 rpm and delivers maximum torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. 2. Suspension: The ATS-L features a double-pivot independent front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension, while the CT5 uses a MacPherson independent front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension.
I've just studied these two cars and found the differences quite significant. As the successor to the ATS-L, the CT5 has upgraded its platform from Alpha1 to Alpha2, delivering noticeably improved chassis performance with better roll control during high-speed cornering. Although both feature 2.0T engines, the CT5's unit adds cylinder deactivation technology to save fuel at red lights, though its output drops to 237hp compared to the ATS-L's more spirited 279hp. The transmission has evolved from an 8AT to a 10AT, greatly enhancing smoothness and addressing the old model's jerky shifting issues. With a wheelbase stretched to 2947mm, the CT5 offers significantly more rear-seat space, comfortably accommodating three passengers—my 1.8m-tall friend no longer complains about his hair brushing the roof like in the ATS-L. The most visible exterior upgrade is the CT5's new signature tear-drop headlights and the addition of a power trunk release, a huge convenience improvement over the manual operation in the older model.
As a long-term owner of the ATS-L, the most noticeable difference when switching to the CT5 is the noise insulation. The CT5 features double-layer acoustic glass, significantly reducing wind noise at high speeds, and the Bose audio system's active noise cancellation works well, making long drives less fatiguing for the ears. The fuel consumption was a pleasant surprise—for the same city commute, the CT5 averages around 11 L/100km, whereas the old ATS-L started at 13 L/100km. The seats have changed considerably; long drives in the ATS-L used to cause backaches, but the CT5's massage seats with adjustable lumbar support points have upgraded the comfort. The infotainment system has seen the biggest improvement, supporting wireless CarPlay, and the central touchscreen even allows gesture control, unlike the ATS-L where you always had to poke at the screen. However, storage space design remains a persistent issue with Cadillac—there's still no convenient spot to place your phone.
Young people prioritize looks and tech features when choosing a car. The CT5's fastback design is much sportier than the ATS-L's boxy rear end, and its taillights even feature dynamic turn signals. The interior difference is even more striking—the old ATS-L's cabin had a strong plastic feel, while the CT5 comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and soft-touch dashboard materials. What really won me over was the instrument cluster—the LCD screen can project navigation maps, making the ATS-L's analog gauges look downright outdated. Driver assistance systems have also been comprehensively upgraded, with responsive automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist that give new drivers more confidence on highways. However, the ATS-L actually has greater tuning potential—a simple ECU remap can easily push it past 300 horsepower, whereas the CT5 has more electronic restrictions and locked parameters. The braking system was also downgraded, swapping Brembo calipers for a generic brand.
