What the 2014 Cadillac ATS offers and how to build one
The 2014 Cadillac ATS is a compact luxury sedan that came in three engine choices, four trim levels, and dozens of option combinations. When you build one online or work with a dealer, you are choosing between a turbocharged four-cylinder, a naturally aspirated V6, or a twin-turbocharged V6 — each with different fuel economy, performance, and price. The base price started around $33,000 for the entry-level sedan with the four-cylinder engine, and climbed to roughly $50,000 or more when fully loaded with the top engine and premium packages.
Building a 2014 ATS means deciding what matters most to you: fuel economy and lower payments, or more power and luxury features. The configuration process also reveals what features are bundled together (you cannot always pick them individually) and what the real cost difference is between trim levels and options.
Key Takeaways
- The 2014 ATS came with three engines: a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder (268 hp), a 2.5-liter V6 (202 hp), and a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 (420 hp), each with different fuel economy and price points.
- Four trim levels — Standard, Luxury, Performance, and Premium — bundled features into packages, so you could not always order individual options separately.
- All-wheel drive was available on every trim and engine combination but added roughly $2,000 to $2,500 to the purchase price and reduced fuel economy slightly.
- Popular options like the navigation system, premium audio, and leather seats were often sold as part of larger packages rather than individually, which could force you to pay for features you did not want.
Engine choices and what they cost
The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder was the base engine and delivered 268 horsepower with better fuel economy than the V6 options. It was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and returned roughly 21 mpg city / 31 mpg highway in rear-wheel-drive form. This engine was the most affordable choice and made sense if you prioritized lower monthly payments and fuel costs over acceleration.
The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 produced 202 horsepower — less than the turbo four — and returned approximately 19 mpg city / 28 mpg highway. This engine was less common because the turbo four outperformed it while costing less, making it a middle option that few buyers chose.
The 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 was the performance choice, generating 420 horsepower and paired with a six-speed automatic. It returned roughly 16 mpg city / 25 mpg highway and was available only on the Performance and Premium trims. This engine added $8,000 to $12,000 to the base price depending on trim level.
Trim levels and what features come with each
The Standard trim was the entry point and included air conditioning, power windows and locks, a six-speaker audio system, and a 7-inch touchscreen with OnStar. It came with the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder as standard and the 2.5-liter V6 as an option.
The Luxury trim added leather seats, a power-adjustable driver seat, dual-zone climate control, and a nine-speaker Bose audio system. Navigation was available but typically sold as part of a package that bundled it with other features. This trim was available with the turbo four or the V6.
The Performance trim was built around the 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 and included performance-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, a sport steering wheel, and upgraded brakes. It also came with leather, the Bose audio system, and most of the Luxury features as standard.
The Premium trim was the top level and added features like a panoramic sunroof, upgraded leather, a power trunk lid, and additional technology options. It was available with the twin-turbo V6 only and represented the most expensive configuration.
All-wheel drive and its impact on price and performance
All-wheel drive was offered on every 2014 ATS trim and engine combination. It added approximately $2,000 to $2,500 to the purchase price and reduced fuel economy by roughly 1 to 2 mpg across all engines. With the turbo four, all-wheel drive dropped highway fuel economy from 31 mpg to around 29 mpg.
All-wheel drive made sense if you lived in a climate with snow or ice, or if you wanted better traction in wet conditions. For buyers in dry climates or those prioritizing fuel economy and lower cost, rear-wheel drive was the more practical choice. The difference in handling between the two was noticeable on a track but subtle during normal driving.
Option packages and what they bundled together
Cadillac sold most options as part of larger packages rather than individually. The Navigation Package typically included the navigation system, a backup camera, and sometimes the premium audio upgrade. The Luxury Package on lower trims added leather, heated seats, and climate control. The Technology Package bundled features like adaptive headlights, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision alert.
This bundling meant you could not always order just the navigation system without also paying for features you did not want. Before configuring a build, it was worth understanding which packages were available on your chosen trim, because the same feature might be standard on one trim but only available as part of a $2,000 package on a lower trim.
Real-world pricing for common configurations
A base 2014 ATS with the 2.0-liter turbo four, rear-wheel drive, and Standard trim started around $33,000. Adding the Luxury trim and the turbo four brought the price to roughly $38,000 to $40,000 depending on options. A Luxury trim with the 2.5-liter V6 and rear-wheel drive ran approximately $41,000 to $43,000.
A Performance trim with the 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 and rear-wheel drive started around $47,000 to $49,000 before options. The Premium trim with the twin-turbo V6 and all-wheel drive, fully loaded with packages, could exceed $55,000. These prices reflect manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) and do not account for dealer discounts, which varied by location and market conditions.
How to compare builds side by side
When building online through Cadillac's website or a dealer configurator, you could save multiple builds and compare them. The comparison tool showed the price difference between engines, the cost of each trim level, and what features were included or added. This made it straightforward to see that upgrading from the turbo four to the V6 cost $3,000 but added only 66 horsepower, or that all-wheel drive cost $2,200 but reduced highway fuel economy by 2 mpg.
The key was to write down or screenshot the final price for each build, including destination charges and any dealer-specific fees. Destination charges for the 2014 ATS were typically $900 to $950, and some dealers added additional fees for documentation or preparation. Comparing the true out-the-door price, not just the MSRP, showed you the real cost difference between configurations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 on the Standard or Luxury trim?
No. The 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 was exclusive to the Performance and Premium trims. If you wanted that engine, you had to step up to at least the Performance trim, which added other features and raised the total price significantly beyond just the engine upgrade.
What is the difference between the 2.0-liter turbo four and the 2.5-liter V6?
The turbo four produced 268 horsepower and returned better fuel economy (31 mpg highway vs. 28 mpg). The V6 produced only 202 horsepower and cost more. The turbo four was the better choice for most buyers because it was faster, cheaper, and more efficient.
Does all-wheel drive make a big difference in everyday driving?
For most drivers in dry climates, rear-wheel drive is sufficient and saves you money and fuel. All-wheel drive improves traction in snow, ice, and heavy rain, and provides slightly better handling in aggressive cornering. If you live where winter weather is common, all-wheel drive is worth the cost.
Are the option packages worth the price?
That depends on what features you actually want. If you need navigation and premium audio, a package that bundles them together may cost less than buying them separately — if they were available separately. However, if you only want navigation and the package also includes features you do not need, you are paying for things you will not use.
What destination charges should I expect?
Destination charges for the 2014 ATS were typically $900 to $950 and covered the cost of transporting the car from the factory to the dealer. This fee was non-negotiable and applied to every new car. Some dealers added additional fees for documentation or preparation, which you could sometimes negotiate down.