How much does the 2016 Cadillac ATS cost?

Prices have softened 2.98% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 289 listings available, which suggests you should have some room to compare options.

If you find a listing below $11,757.48, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Cadillac ATS a good car?

Generally — 4.2/5. The expert rating is 7.5/10, and the model scores 8/10 across Look and feel, Performance, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise the ATS for its superb handling, smooth ride, and tech features. The review summary also points to a good powertrain and value, which fits the car’s role as a polished luxury sedan that still feels rewarding to drive.

The overview reinforces that use case: you’re looking at a compact luxury sedan that aims to feel sharp, refined, and engaging rather than merely practical. That makes it a strong fit if you want a sedan with personality and a more modern in-car experience.

30.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there’s still meaningful value to be found if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Cadillac ATS reliable?

Owners rate it 4.2/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary points to a good powertrain and value, and it also suggests the ATS can be a car you enjoy living with over time. That said, the same feedback highlights some interior and infotainment frustrations, so dependability here is as much about day-to-day livability as it is about mechanical confidence.

The test-drive notes also emphasize competent chassis behavior and impeccable road manners, which supports the idea that the car is built to feel composed over the long haul. For used buyers, the main ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the specific car has been maintained well and still feels sorted inside.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Cadillac ATS?

At 51.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection matters here, especially if you’re comparing cars with similar prices but different condition histories.

Pay close attention to interior wear, infotainment behavior, and how the car feels in daily use. The ATS can be rewarding, but you want one that still feels tight, clean, and easy to live with.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base setup uses the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and is limited to Standard or Luxury trims with rear-wheel drive only, while higher trims add more equipment and broader drivetrain choices.
• Powertrain: The 2.5-liter four makes 202 hp and 191 lb-ft and is the least compelling choice; the 2.0-liter turbo makes 272 hp and 260 lb-ft and is the best compromise; the 3.6-liter V6 makes 333 hp and 285 lb-ft and delivers the strongest, most linear power.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes airbags, disc brakes, traction control, and antilock braking. Optional driver aids include blind-spot monitoring, forward collision alerts, automatic seatbelt tightening, lane-departure warnings, and cross-traffic alerts. A heads-up display is available in Performance and Premium models.
• Infotainment: Apple CarPlay is part of the 2016 update, and the system centers on an 8-inch touchscreen. The setup is improved, but the steering-wheel controls are confusing and the broader interface can still be frustrating.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter four-cylinder returns 21 mpg city/33 highway. The 2.0-liter turbo returns 21/30 with rear-wheel drive and automatic transmission, or 20/28 with all-wheel drive. The 3.6-liter V6 returns 20/30.

Which 2016 Cadillac ATS trim should I buy?

The 2016 Cadillac ATS is offered in 4 trim levels: Standard, Luxury, Performance, and Premium.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The Standard trim keeps the ATS’s core appeal intact, but it lacks the richer equipment and safety conveniences found higher up the range. It’s also tied to the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which is the weakest engine choice.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Luxury trim is the best place to start if you want a more complete ATS without jumping too far upmarket. It pairs better equipment with the more desirable engine choices and avoids the bare-bones feel of the base setup.
• Premium/top trim: The Premium trim is the most appealing if you want the strongest mix of luxury and tech. It’s the trim where the available heads-up display and Magnetic Ride Control help the ATS feel more special.
• Off-road trim: Not applicable here.

The safety package is strongest when you add the available driver-assistance features, since several of them are optional rather than standard.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Cadillac ATS?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 30.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 289 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.98% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 51.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,757.48, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Cadillac ATS's resale value?

The current average of $12,221 sits slightly below last year's $12,596.

That kind of price movement suggests the ATS has softened a bit, which can help you as a buyer today but may also limit upside if you’re thinking about future resale. If you buy well, you’re starting from a more favorable entry point than a year ago.

For a future seller, the key is to own a car that still presents well and has a clean history. Models with strong owner satisfaction tend to stay in demand, and that helps support resale value over time.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.2/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Cadillac ATS safe?

The ATS has earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a Superior rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

It earns a 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety equipment includes airbags, disc brakes, traction control, and antilock braking. Available driver aids include blind-spot monitoring, forward collision alerts, automatic seatbelt tightening, lane-departure warnings, and cross-traffic alerts.

One caveat is that several useful safety features are optional rather than standard, so you’ll want to verify exactly what’s on the car you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2016 Cadillac ATS or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 30.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 51.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.98% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.2/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 update adds a new 3.6-liter V6 with cylinder deactivation and Apple CarPlay.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,069, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $12,221 average.
• It emphasizes a more distinctive, polished Cadillac identity.

The bottom line: If you want the better-equipped ATS with the newer tech and stronger upper-trim appeal, the 2016 is the better target. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 is the more budget-friendly path and still captures the ATS’s core character.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.