LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK – General Motors said its all-new 2013-MY Cadillac ATS has won two awards, Popular Mechanics magazine’s Automotive Excellence award in the Luxury category, and the 2013 Car of the Year award from the Motor Press Guild.

The Motor Press Guild requires that models in contention for its award must be all-new or substantially changed from the previous year and available at dealerships on or before Jan. 1, 2013. The Motor Press Guild chose the vehicle from six contenders.

“Our members remarked that the ATS is capable on both the street and the track, offers a well-made and attractive interior, is replete with the latest technology, and – perhaps most importantly - is fun to drive,” said the Motor Press Guild’s President Laura Burstein.

The automaker said Popular Mechanics chose the ATS for its performance characteristics and its value in the entry-level luxury segment. GM said the annual Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Awards recognizes 10 vehicles, judging them on functionality, style, performance, technology, and driving character.

“The ATS is the first Cadillac to fully assault the entry-level luxury sport sedan class long dominated by German brands,” the editors of Popular Mechanics wrote. “Cadillac delivers this substantial sedan for under $35,000. That’s one of the best luxury sport sedan deals of the year.”