2014 Cadillac ATS Premium

Challenging the top small sedans from Europe is no easy task, but that’s exactly what Cadillac set out to do with the ATS, and in 2013 it was named the North American Car of the Year.

The BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are formidable competitors because they have deft handling, well-crafted interiors and energetic performance. So how does the ATS stack up? It depends on the model you choose and how much you want to spend.

A little over a year ago I drove an ATS with the base, 202-horsepower engine and found the performance to be less than stimulating. More recently, I got behind the wheel of a 2014 with the turbocharged, 272-horsepower engine and the difference was considerable, but so was the price. The base price of the ATS Premium is $45,095, higher by several thousand dollars than well-equipped models from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The turbocharged, 2.0-liter engine is a well-developed package that delivers more horsepower per liter than most of its competitors. Acceleration was far from eye-watering but strong enough to bring a smile to my face. Fuel economy is rated at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway. For performance addicts there is a 321-horsepower V-6 but that costs about two thousand more.

The front-engine, rear-drive ATS is also available with all-wheel drive. That would be my pick for our Midwest climate.

The ATS rides on an all-new platform whose nearly identical front-rear weight distribution is a benefit to handling. The five-link, independent rear suspension is made from high-strength steel. The optional FE3 sport suspension with magnetic ride control does an amazing job of delivering a comfortable ride without sacrificing handling prowess, thanks to its ability to react to road conditions in milliseconds. Brembo front disc brakes are standard on several models.

For many buyers, the ATS is small enough to be maneuvered easily yet large enough to give the driver and passenger some elbow room. A drawback is that rear-seat legroom is pretty tight. Trunk space is decent, and the back seat folds down for added cargo space.

The exterior styling carries the language of Cadillac’s somewhat angular Art and Science design.

The test car’s two-tone, brown-and-red interior was quite handsome. Gloss black panels on the center stack, console and steering wheel were ringed with chrome in a tasteful fashion. The gauge package was rather plain by comparison.

The center stack is home for the eight-inch touch screen controlled by the Cadillac User Experience, or CUE. All of the controls are manipulated by touch, but I found it to be frustrating at times. I like to be able to grab a knob and change the direction of warm air, or change radio modes, without having to step through a menu system on the touch screen.

Dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth and a rearview camera are standard.

The base price of the test car was $45,095. Options included heated front seats, heated steering wheel and the Red Obsession paint. The sticker price was $47,615.

Four years or 50,000 miles, with a six-year, 70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

This story was originally published March 29, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "2014 Cadillac ATS Premium."