Compare the2019 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2018 Cadillac ATS Sedan

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The ATS Sedan doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional Side and Top View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The ATS Sedan only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the ATS Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and blind spot warning systems.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the ATS Sedan’s (12 vs. 6 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Gran Coupe first among compact premium cars in their 2017 Initial Quality Study. The ATS Sedan was rated third.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2017 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 27th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 22 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The 440i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. produces 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 285) than the ATS Sedan’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the 430i Gran Coupe is faster than the Cadillac ATS Sedan 2.0 Turbo:

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Gran Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the ATS Sedan:

Regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The ATS Sedan doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) Cadillac only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the ATS Sedan Auto.

For better stopping power the 440i Gran Coupe’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the ATS Sedan:

The 4 Series Gran Coupe stops shorter than the ATS Sedan:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the ATS Sedan.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the ATS Sedan (110.6 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 4 Series Gran Coupe is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the ATS Sedan.

The 430i Gran Coupe handles at .89 G’s, while the ATS Sedan pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 430i Gran Coupe xDrive is quieter than the ATS Sedan:

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the ATS Sedan.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a larger trunk with its rear seat up than the ATS Sedan (17 vs. 10.4 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The ATS Sedan doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The ATS Sedan’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 4 Series Gran Coupe the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the ATS Sedan can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The ATS Sedan’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The ATS Sedan doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the 4 Series Gran Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The ATS Sedan doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the ATS Sedan offer optional heated front seats. The 4 Series Gran Coupe also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the ATS Sedan.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The ATS Sedan doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Cadillac ATS isn’t available as a convertible.

Insurance will cost less for the 4 Series Gran Coupe owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the 4 Series Gran Coupe with a number “1” insurance rate while the ATS Sedan is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 4 Series Gran Coupe will retain 44.99% to 47.5% of its original price after five years, while the ATS Sedan only retains 36.51% to 38.31%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is less expensive to operate than the ATS Sedan because it costs $234 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 4 Series Gran Coupe than the ATS Sedan, including $322 less for a muffler, $27 less for front brake pads, $28 less for a starter, $425 less for fuel injection and $73 less for a fuel pump.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Gran Coupe third among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The ATS Sedan isn’t in the top three.

The 4 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2014. The ATS has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The 4 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2014. The ATS has never been an “All Star.”

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Cadillac ATS by over three to one during 2017.