[pjr300]

I've had my ATS for over two years. Been a fine car; no issues. Anyhow, I brought it in for the recent recalls, and the dealer gave me a loaner.... a 2015 ATS, also AWD and 2.0T just like my car, and the same size wheels, the 17" OEM. This car has more luxury options (CUE, leather) but no other differences that I can see.

But wow! This car feels totally different! The road feel is significantly greater than my 2013, and the effort to turn the wheel is also much greater... but not in a bad way. It feels more like a fine sport sedan should feel, while my 2013 feels like, well, much more like an old DeVille. Even when I put the 2013 in Sport mode, the feel is nowhere close to the new model.

So, did Cadillac re-tune the steering for the 2015 model year? Or is there something amiss with my car?

 

[yarcos]

Because 2015 ATS looks better and is better than older models. 2013 is first year productions, so don't be surprise..

 

[artscadillac]

The 15 2.0 has more torque.

It's possible that improvements have been made from 13 to 14
to 15, but I have not seen any info that the steering or
sispension was changed, although it could be just internal
changes.

Another possibility, is that your car doesn't have speed
sensitive steering or if you have it, it could be failing to
tighten up as you speed up.

 

[john770g]

Funny you should mention that. I just picked up my 2013 ATS 2.0T lux last weekend and had to bring it in for a CEL light today - was given a 2015 2.0T lux loaner over the weekend. My initial thought was that the 2015 felt like a tighter ride as well. My 2013 has 21k miles..perhaps the suspension is just settled in a bit making the ride more plush.

 

[Guest]

GM recalibrated the steering other than that I haven't noticed any other difference after having 2015 loaners other than the bland exterior design.

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/...Pages/news/us/en/2014/Jul/0701-ats-coupe.html

 

[john770g]

GM recalibrated the steering other than that I haven't noticed any other difference after having 2015 loaners other than the bland exterior design.

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/...Pages/news/us/en/2014/Jul/0701-ats-coupe.html

Was not aware of that fact - good info. With that being said, the 'new steering feel' is definitely an improvement imo.

 

[rustybear3]

Funny, I didn't care at all for the tighter steering. Felt like I was driving with manual steering instead and couldn't "feel" the road as well as my 2013. The ride though has improved on the 2015's though, and I believe it's because (at least on my Coupe) they switched over to Continental run flats. Definitely was impressed with the Coupe's larger windows and doors. If the Coupe had been available in 2013, I would have considered it.

 

[louie1487]

GM recalibrated the steering other than that I haven't noticed any other difference after having 2015 loaners other than the bland exterior design.

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/...Pages/news/us/en/2014/Jul/0701-ats-coupe.html

This is what I hate about manufacturers. They say through software calibrations, that they made the improvements. Nothing hardware change, unless I completely missed it. Why not carry over these updates to older models. Google/Apple have it right. Support older models, up to a certain extent.

People aren't going to change cars every few years, unless on a lease.

 

[bdwalters]

The steering is definitely heavier in the new models. I like the weight at speed, but it's heavier than I like at lower speeds. I wish there were settings to let us tune the assist to our liking. It shouldn't be hard.

 

[travelman91606]

I had a 2015 ATS sedan loaner yesterday. During the walkaround to spot damage before I left the dealership I honestly did not notice what engine this ATS had in it. I liked the steering feel...nice and heavy. But man was this thing a dog on the street compared to my 3.6. I thought, oh, his must be the base 4 cylinder. Once it got up to speed it was not too bad, but getting there took a LONG time and the car felt so heavy compared to mine. Since I was running late for work, when I parked in the garage, I just got out and locked the doors and went into the office. When I left for the day, I was shocked as hell to see the dual tail pipes and 2.0T on the back. This car must have had bad gas in it or something because it was not an appealing engine at all and felt very slow compared to my 3.6, especially off the line. I was so glad to pull into the dealer and see my shining silver baby sitting outside just welcoming me to come drive her hard! LOL PS- my car was at the dealer to have the passenger front window replaced (break in attempt on Sunday night) and the sunroof switch recall done.

 

[Stumeat]

I had a 2015 ATS sedan loaner yesterday. During the walkaround to spot damage before I left the dealership I honestly did not notice what engine this ATS had in it. I liked the steering feel...nice and heavy. But man was this thing a dog on the street compared to my 3.6. I thought, oh, his must be the base 4 cylinder. Once it got up to speed it was not too bad, but getting there took a LONG time and the car felt so heavy compared to mine. Since I was running late for work, when I parked in the garage, I just got out and locked the doors and went into the office. When I left for the day, I was shocked as hell to see the dual tail pipes and 2.0T on the back. This car must have had bad gas in it or something because it was not an appealing engine at all and felt very slow compared to my 3.6, especially off the line. I was so glad to pull into the dealer and see my shining silver baby sitting outside just welcoming me to come drive her hard! LOL PS- my car was at the dealer to have the passenger front window replaced (break in attempt on Sunday night) and the sunroof switch recall done.

My '13 is in as well for the sunroof switch recall along with fixing a broken sunroof seal. The '15 loaner I have is a a 2.0t too and I think you may have gotten bad gas or something. It for sure don't sound anywhere as sweet as my 3.6, but it gets up and goes! I also noticed the heavier steering, and it appears to hold gears longer in sport mode than mine. But that may be due to the different motor, not a software change over the years?

 

[pjr300]

Thanks all for the info... and to CTSCHICK for the link as well. I am glad to hear that others noted something similar to my experience. My lease is coming due soon, so I know what to expect if I get another ATS.

 

[Guest]

This is what I hate about manufacturers. They say through software calibrations, that they made the improvements. Nothing hardware change, unless I completely missed it. Why not carry over these updates to older models. Google/Apple have it right. Support older models, up to a certain extent.

People aren't going to change cars every few years, unless on a lease.

I agree and see it as a lost opportunity where they could have created a lot of good will with customers.

 

[Anz]

I agree and see it as a lost opportunity where they could have created a lot of good will with customers.

A car manufacturer also does this, Tesla! They understand.

 

[GJB]

The happier people are with their cars the more likely they are to stay with the brand. For some reason most manufactures think these improvements will make you want to buy a new car sooner which is short sighted if their next car is a different brand. A few examples for MY 13 are CUE improvements/updates, instrument cluster updates that allow Sport mode to stick and have the TP vertical so it makes sense and enabling Intel-a-beam. All software changes that they could charge labor for but it would at least be our choice.

 

[Zarathos987]

I've had my ATS for over two years. Been a fine car; no issues. Anyhow, I brought it in for the recent recalls, and the dealer gave me a loaner.... a 2015 ATS, also AWD and 2.0T just like my car, and the same size wheels, the 17" OEM. This car has more luxury options (CUE, leather) but no other differences that I can see.

But wow! This car feels totally different! The road feel is significantly greater than my 2013, and the effort to turn the wheel is also much greater... but not in a bad way. It feels more like a fine sport sedan should feel, while my 2013 feels like, well, much more like an old DeVille. Even when I put the 2013 in Sport mode, the feel is nowhere close to the new model.

So, did Cadillac re-tune the steering for the 2015 model year? Or is there something amiss with my car?

How does the idle on the 2015 feel as compared to the 2013? Is it smoother?

 

[bms2014ats]

How does the idle on the 2015 feel as compared to the 2013? Is it smoother?

I got a 15 loaner. After driving it 2 minutes I can tell you the stock tune in the 13 and 14 cars was the issue. This car is 300 percent better. It doesn't lug down in low gears, there's no studder on shifts. It's much more polished than my car. Everything is smoother and better.

 

[listrats]

I expected the 15's to be better than 13's. The 13's were a brand new model. Everything in that car was new. As years go on, hopefully it is common practice to fix isuses. Unfortunately though I think the new grill is much more bland than the 13. I dont care for the wreath or no wreath but the way they shaped the front it was much more agressive and distinctive on the 13's.

Does anyone know if any serious changes are coming for 16?

 

[john770g]

How does the idle on the 2015 feel as compared to the 2013? Is it smoother?

I felt some idle stutters in the 2015 - felt about the same as my 13. As said above the big improvement to me was the 15 had no lugging down in low gears or stutters on shifts as my 13 does.

 

[duneless]

Please,In IMO the 13 looks better. The grill and the emblems look better to me. The new logo looks really good on the new CTS because the car is bigger along with the logo being bigger. And the front facia looks better IMO on a 13. Other things like improved torque for the 2.0 of coarse and some tech stuff is all better of coarse. But looks I do not agree with.

Because 2015 ATS looks better and is better than older models. 2013 is first year productions, so don't be surprise..

----------

If I saw your post I wouldn't even posted mine. My thoughts exactly.

I expected the 15's to be better than 13's. The 13's were a brand new model. Everything in that car was new. As years go on, hopefully it is common practice to fix isuses. Unfortunately though I think the new grill is much more bland than the 13. I dont care for the wreath or no wreath but the way they shaped the front it was much more agressive and distinctive on the 13's.

Does anyone know if any serious changes are coming for 16?