2016 Cadillac ATS vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

Versus German luxury-sedan stalwarts like the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the 2016 Cadillac ATS is probably the American luxury brand's best challenge to date—finally pairing stiff, lightweight construction, uniquely American styling, and lavish cabin appointments with an obsessive level of attention to dynamics and the driving experience.

Meanwhile, the German sedans in this category are heading off in different directions, it seems.

The latest version of BMW’s 3-Series is a touch softer and larger than it once was, and the ATS is a tick nicer inside, too.

The Audi A4 is due to be replaced for 2017, yet it's been kept up well on the tech front, with Google Earth and Audi Connect elements giving it an edge over Cadillac's sometimes kludgy CUE.

We think the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is awesome, and it has one of the best interior layouts (and styling) in this class, plus top-notch comfort and amenities.

The Infiniti Q60 sedan offers even more dramatic styling than the ATS, as well as impressive performance, but just like the ATS it's short on back-seat space.

One other model that's eagerly anticipated and arriving in the next year is the Jaguar XE; we haven't yet driven the XE, but so far, we like what we see.