Used 2016 Cadillac ATS for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

How much does the 2016 Cadillac ATS cost?

Prices have softened 12.26% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 271 listings available, which suggests you have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Cadillac ATS a good car?

Generally — 4.2/5 owners’ rating and a 7.5/10 expert score point to a well-liked luxury sedan. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel, Performance, and Safety.

Owners repeatedly praise its superb handling, smooth ride, and tech features, and the overview frames it as a sharper, better-equipped compact luxury sedan. That combination makes it appealing if you want a driver-focused car with modern infotainment and a polished road feel. The market also shows 29.2% good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Cadillac ATS reliable?

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

Owner feedback also points to a good powertrain and value, along with a car that many drivers enjoy living with over time. The expert notes reinforce that the ATS is built around competent chassis tuning and road manners, which supports the sense that it can be a dependable daily driver when maintained properly. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about whether you can live with the cramped cabin and interior-finish complaints.

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

At 48.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle-history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on cars with lower prices or incomplete service records. Pay close attention to interior condition, infotainment operation, and signs of hard use, since owner feedback calls out cabin tightness and some finish concerns. If you’re shopping a higher-trim car, make sure the added equipment actually works as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base setup uses the 2.5-liter four-cylinder in Standard or Luxury trims, while the 2.0-liter turbo adds Standard, Luxury, Performance, and Premium trims, and the 3.6-liter V6 is offered in Luxury, Performance, and Premium only. The base engine is rear-wheel drive only, so feature and drivetrain gaps matter if you want more flexibility or a richer equipment list.
• Powertrain: The 2.5-liter four makes 202 hp and is described as the budget engine, while the 2.0-liter turbo produces 272 hp and the 3.6-liter V6 delivers 333 hp with cylinder deactivation for greater fuel economy. The V6 is the strongest choice if you want the most relaxed power delivery.
• Safety package: The ATS comes standard with 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, while a heads-up display is available in Performance and Premium models.
• Infotainment: The ATS adds Apple CarPlay, and the system centers on an 8-inch touchscreen. Wireless smartphone integration and OTA capability are not stated here.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter four returns 21 mpg city/33 highway, the 2.0-liter turbo is rated at 21/30 in rear-wheel-drive automatic form and 20/28 with all-wheel drive, and the 3.6-liter V6 returns 20/30.

Which 2016 Cadillac ATS trim should I buy?

The 2016 Cadillac ATS is offered in 7 trim levels: Standard, Luxury, Performance, Premium, Standard, Luxury, Performance, and Premium.

Here's the short version:

• Standard: This is the entry point if you want the ATS experience at the lowest cost, but the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder is described as the budget engine and is limited to rear-wheel drive. It makes sense only if price matters more than power or equipment.
• Luxury: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it opens the door to the more desirable 2.0-liter turbo or 3.6-liter V6 setups while adding a more upscale equipment mix. If you want a balanced ATS, this is the trim to target first.
• Performance: Choose this if you want a stronger feature set and the available heads-up display, especially with the 2.0-liter turbo or V6. It’s the better pick if you want a more engaging, better-equipped ATS without going all the way to the top.
• Premium: This is the most appealing choice if you want the richest ATS experience, including Magnetic Ride Control and the strongest sense of the car’s chassis tuning. It’s the trim that best matches the ATS’s driver-focused personality.

The safety package is optional, so verify which driver-assistance features are actually installed on any used example you’re considering.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find opportunities.

• Deal availability: 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 271 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.26% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 48.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $10,924, 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 $10,924 sits slightly below last year's $12,449.

That decline suggests the ATS has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means future sellers may face a softer pricing environment than they would have a year ago. If you buy well and keep the car in strong condition, you can help protect value, but the market is still rewarding shoppers more than sellers right now. The good news is that a well-regarded model with solid owner satisfaction can still hold demand better than a weaker alternative.

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 Cadillac 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 an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The ATS comes standard with airbags, disc brakes, traction control, and antilock braking. Optional safety equipment includes 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.

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:

• 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 48.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.26% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.2/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds a new 3.6-liter V6 with cylinder deactivation and Apple CarPlay.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $10,009, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $10,924 average.
• It emphasizes a strong sensory appeal and a more distinctive personality.

The bottom line: The 2016 is the better pick if you want the updated infotainment and improved engine lineup, especially in higher trims. If your priority is simply spending less, the 2015 can still make sense, but the 2016 is the more complete version of the ATS.

How does the 2016 Cadillac ATS compare to the 2016 BMW 3 Series?

Our experts score the 2016 Cadillac ATS 7.5/10 and the 2016 BMW 3 Series 7.5/10.

The ATS leans harder into sharp styling, a stronger available V6, and a more modern infotainment update with Apple CarPlay. The 3 Series counters with better fuel economy, more listings, and a slightly higher share of accident-free and good-or-great-deal inventory. If you want the more distinctive-feeling car, the ATS has the edge; if you want broader shopping depth and efficiency, the BMW is the safer browse.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.