I own an ATS Premium 2.0 liter turbo RWD with 12,000 miles. When I made my purchase, the dealer let me drive a 3.6 liter V6 for a couple of days till my car was ready. IMO, the 2.0 hunts for gears less and is more tractable in the lower rpm band whereas the 3.6 loves to spool up to higher rpms. I live in an area of MD where traffic is tightly controlled, thus allowing for few chances to air things out. So the 2.0 liter was a good option for me. In more wide open spaces, I probably would rather have that extra high end power that the V6 provides. The 2.0 liter acts somewhat like a large displacement OHV engine - low end grunt, but muted at the top end. The "rough" note cited by some reviews is more akin to a growl and does not have the nasty harmonics one associates with resonating ancillaries or point sources on the ICE. I have not found it unpleasant. For example, my Fusion with the 3.0 duratec had a mechanical ringing noise due to the chain that was interpreted as "rough". I though it was music to my ear. Anyhow, make sure you wind up that 2.0 liter and decide for yourself. At idle and low rpms, the ATS is silent.
Problems?
None.
In fact, this car has one the best unit bodies with respect to torsional rigidity and weight I have ever driven. Being an engineer and knowing how bonding and laser seam welding improve integrated structures, this was not much of a surprise. I suspect that this car could take a whole lot more reactive torque before any modifications would be required. I contrast that with my 1989 Mustang GT that could bend to the point of breaking things. Which leads to brakes. The ATS stops like a dream. That car required a shock tower brace along with better brakes before any power modifications could be considered. Just like in athletics, a great core is the foundation for great performance - a side benefit being that less degrees of flexure in response to torsional load subjects components connected to the unit body lattice to less severe cycling. And as any engineer should know - metal or plastic has only so many work cycles before it says "that's all matey".
Steering?
Feel and feedback are good.
Snow and ice?
Its the tires. As an old timer, I learned how to drift a rear wheel drive car and the summer run flats are the weak point in my car. So AWD is a consideration, if you do not want to swap to the correct rubber because initial acceleration from a stop is bad with this rubber, if one is on snow or ice.
Recalls?
I had one to reprogram the code controlling the rear window defogger that was done in about ten minutes during my oil change.
CUE?
I have an Edge with MTF Ford. CUE is much better and I have not used a knob to control volumes since owning a Ford Fusion that had that control on the steering wheel. The HUD on ATS can be set to tell you what tune is playing on a station you are set at . So I can go on and off, based on not wanting to hear a crap song.
Climate controls?
I tend to leave a car on automatic climate control and, on rare occasion, might set the temperature. So the hullabaloo about knobs is mute, for me.
Seats?
Very comfortable for me, the driver. Size was not an issue because I have the Edge to haul my wife and two daughters. And my wife wants a Mercedes C class in the future which I believe has more room.
Because of its "reputation", you should be able to get a decent price on an ATS and I think you will be happy you did.
Anyhow, I have to go.
I am happy to answer any questions.
