What the 2014 Cadillac ATS Build Process Involves
The 2014 Cadillac ATS build process lets you configure a new vehicle from the ground up by selecting the body style, engine, transmission, trim level, and optional features before purchase. You start by choosing between the sedan or coupe body, then move through powertrain options, interior and exterior colors, wheel designs, and technology packages. The process culminates in a final price quote and the ability to either order the vehicle through a dealer or locate an existing inventory match.
This is different from shopping inventory — you are specifying exactly what you want built rather than choosing from what dealers currently have on their lots. The build tool was available through Cadillac's official website and through participating dealers' websites, and it generated a window sticker (also called a Monroney label) showing the manufacturer's suggested retail price, all selected options, and their individual costs.
Key Takeaways
- The 2014 ATS came in sedan and coupe body styles, with three engine choices: a 2.0-liter turbo, 2.5-liter naturally aspirated, or 3.6-liter V6.
- Trim levels (Luxury, Performance, and Premium) determined your starting price and which options were available or standard.
- Transmission choices were a six-speed automatic or, on some models, a six-speed manual.
- The build tool showed the exact price of every option and the final MSRP before you committed to ordering or visiting a dealer.
- Built vehicles typically took 6 to 8 weeks to arrive at the dealer after the order was placed.
Engine and Powertrain Options for the 2014 ATS
The 2014 ATS offered three engine choices, each with different performance characteristics and fuel economy. The base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produced 202 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine was the most fuel-efficient option and came standard on the Luxury trim.
The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder generated 202 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, also with a six-speed automatic. This engine was less common than the turbo and offered slightly different driving characteristics — no turbo lag but also less torque at lower RPMs.
The 3.6-liter V6 was the performance option, producing 321 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. It came standard on the Performance trim and was available on other trims. The V6 paired with either a six-speed automatic or, on certain configurations, a six-speed manual transmission. The manual transmission was available only with the V6 and only on the sedan body style.
Trim Levels and What Comes Standard
The 2014 ATS was offered in three trim levels: Luxury, Performance, and Premium. Each trim determined your starting price, which engine options were available, and which features came as standard equipment versus optional add-ons.
The Luxury trim was the entry point and came with the 2.0-liter turbo engine as standard. It included features like a rearview camera, OnStar with 4G LTE, a six-speaker audio system, and cloth seating. The Performance trim stepped up to the 3.6-liter V6 as standard and added sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, and leather seating. The Premium trim sat at the top and included all Performance features plus additional luxury items like a power sunroof, navigation system, and premium audio.
When you built a vehicle, the trim level you selected determined which options were available to add. Some features could only be added to certain trims, while others were available across all three.
Exterior and Interior Customization Options
The build tool allowed you to select from multiple exterior paint colors, including standard colors like Summit White, Ebony Twilight Metallic, and Radiant Silver Metallic, as well as premium metallic and pearl finishes that carried an additional charge. Wheel designs ranged from 17-inch steel wheels on base models to 19-inch performance wheels on higher trims, with multiple design options available at each size.
Interior customization included seating material choices — cloth on lower trims, leather on mid-range options, and premium leather on higher trims. You could select from multiple interior color schemes, typically ranging from light neutral tones to darker charcoal or black. The steering wheel, trim pieces, and accent colors could sometimes be coordinated with your seating choice.
Roof options included a standard painted roof or, on certain trims, a power sunroof or panoramic sunroof. These were typically listed as separate line items in the build tool with their own pricing.
Technology and Feature Packages
The 2014 ATS build tool organized optional technology into packages rather than individual items, which meant you often purchased features in groups. The CUE infotainment system (Cadillac User Experience) was available as an upgrade and included an eight-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Navigation could be added as a separate package or sometimes bundled with other technology features.
Premium audio upgrades, typically from Bose or another manufacturer, were offered as standalone options. Safety features like forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and parking sensors were sometimes bundled into a "Driver Awareness Package" rather than sold individually. Heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, and other comfort features were typically available as individual options or in small packages.
The build tool displayed each package's contents and price, so you could see exactly what you were paying for before finalizing your order.
How to Use the Build Tool and Get Your Window Sticker
To build a 2014 ATS, you would visit Cadillac's website or a dealer's website and locate the build and price tool. You started by selecting your body style (sedan or coupe), then your trim level. From there, the tool guided you through engine selection, transmission choice, exterior color, wheels, and interior options in a step-by-step format.
As you made selections, the tool updated your total price in real time, showing the base MSRP plus the cost of each option you added. Once you had configured your vehicle completely, the tool generated a window sticker — the official Monroney label that shows the manufacturer's suggested retail price, all options and their costs, fuel economy estimates, and other regulatory information.
You could then either save or print this sticker, email it to yourself, or proceed to order the vehicle through a dealer. Some dealers allowed you to order directly from the website; others required you to visit in person or call to finalize the order. The window sticker served as your specification sheet and was the document the dealer used to place the factory order.
Delivery Timeline and What to Expect After Ordering
Once you placed an order for a built-to-order 2014 ATS, the typical timeline was 6 to 8 weeks from order placement to arrival at the dealer. This timeframe could vary depending on the complexity of your configuration, current factory production schedules, and transportation logistics. Some configurations were more common and built faster; unusual color or option combinations sometimes took longer.
The dealer would typically provide you with an order confirmation that included your build specifications and an estimated delivery date. You could contact the dealer to check on the status of your order, though the dealer's visibility into the production schedule was sometimes limited. Once the vehicle was built and shipped, you would receive notification that it had arrived at the dealership, at which point you could schedule delivery or pickup.
The final price you paid was based on the MSRP shown on your window sticker, plus any dealer-specific fees, taxes, and destination charges. The MSRP itself did not change between order and delivery, though dealer incentives or manufacturer rebates that were active at the time of delivery could reduce your final cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Could I order a 2014 ATS with a manual transmission?
Yes, but only with the 3.6-liter V6 engine and only on the sedan body style. The manual transmission was not available with the turbocharged or naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines, and it was not offered on the coupe. If you selected the V6 sedan in the build tool, the manual transmission appeared as an option alongside the automatic.
What was the price difference between the turbo and V6 engines?
The 3.6-liter V6 typically cost between $2,000 and $3,000 more than the 2.0-liter turbo, depending on the trim level and current pricing. The exact difference appeared in the build tool as you switched between engines, so you could see the impact on your total price before finalizing your order.
Could I special-order a color that was not listed in the build tool?
The build tool showed only the colors Cadillac was currently offering for the 2014 ATS. Special or discontinued colors were not available through the standard build process. If you wanted a color not listed, you would need to contact a dealer directly to ask whether a special order was possible, though this was uncommon and sometimes carried additional charges.
What happened if I wanted to change my order after placing it?
Changes to an order depended on how far along the vehicle was in the production process. Early in production, dealers could sometimes modify specifications; once the vehicle was built or in transit, changes were not possible. You would need to contact the dealer when ready if you wanted to request a change and ask whether it could be accommodated.
Did the build tool show the final price I would pay, including all fees?
The build tool showed the MSRP and all option costs, but not dealer-specific fees, taxes, or destination charges. The destination charge (the cost to ship the vehicle from the factory to the dealer) was typically $900 to $1,200 but was not included in the build tool price. Your dealer would add these charges when you finalized the purchase.