THE CADILLAC ATS VS INFINITI Q50

If you're in the market for a small-sized luxury sedan, there are some great options out there today. Depending on what's higher on your priority list, you're sure to find something that fits you perfectly. Some manufacturers have placed more emphasis on looks, others on performance, others on safety and some on price. On rare occasions, a few models incorporate more than just one highlight, and you'll find cars that are both extremely safe to drive and offer incredible performance, or decently priced vehicles with a luxurious look and feel. Today we'll take a look at two great models and see which one comes on top in the end, judging by the overall scoring.

Let's start with one of the most impressive products in its market segment, the Cadillac ATS. One of those rare occasions when the car excels at multiple things, the ATS has a perfect safety score, earning a perfect score (5 stars out of 5) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for every crash test they conduct. Apart from this, one thing we really liked about the ATS's standard safety package is GM's Teen Driver system. The car comes equipped with it, and this means you'll have the option to set limits on the vehicle's speed and music volume, so when someone else is driving it, you'll know there aren't going to be any excesses. You'll be able to keep the car "unlocked" for yourself, and when your daughter or son borrow it, you can just access the safety system and easily set the limits before giving them the keys.

Cadillac is an all American car manufacturer, and that's evident in the engine choices. The standard model comes equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but the other two upgrades available are spectacular. First, there is the 3.6-liter V6, but for maximum performance, you'll have to go for the ATS-V model which comes with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that puts out a whopping 464 Horsepower. That kind of raw power doesn't come with the best mileage per gallon though, so you'll have to weigh that in.

The third feature where the ATS shines as if the previous two weren't enough, is the overall luxurious look and feel. The exterior design is top notch, but the inside is where the manufacturer has spent most of the resources. The car comes with standard artificial leather for the seating, something you would expect for the price range, and they surpass expectations in the level of detail and the excellent, 8-inch infotainment system. Equipped with the market's favorite Apple CarPlay, a wi-fi hotspot and a state of the art Bose sound system, you get a feel of having bought a car packed with the results of the technology boom we've been experiencing lately.

As for the Infiniti... it is a decent car, but it has the misfortune to stand against the likes of the ATS. Looking at any specifications on this model you'll have to say "not bad, but the other car is better". There are a number of safety features included as standard, but they don't add up to the impeccable 5-star safety rating of the ATS. There are some nice engine choices, but none to top the ATS-V's performance. The interior detailing, not bad, but miles behind the Cadillac and the same goes for the infotainment system. The only place where the Q50 wins is trunk storage space, but paying similar prices so that you can have a bigger trunk and come second at everything else is not an option.

Today's match-up was between a decent car and an outstanding one. It left no room to wonder which would be the best option between the two. With little to no price difference, there's a clear winner in the Cadillac.