1997-2001 Cadillac Catera: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Produced in Germany from an Opel design, Catera was intended as a different kind of Cadillac for the late 1990s. (Opel is a General Motors subsidiary.) Foreseeing that "near-luxury" compact/midsize sedans might be the fastest-growing segment of the market, Cadillac turned to GM's German Opel subsidiary for a European-themed entrant into that race. Based on the Opel Omega, Catera was now Cadillac's only rear-wheel-drive model, and also the only without a V8 engine. An Opel 3.0-liter V6, rated at 200 horsepower, worked with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Antilock brakes, dual front airbags, daytime running lights, and traction control were standard, but side airbags were unavailable. Standard equipment also included a dust and pollen filter, 16-inch alloy wheels, power windows with express up/down, fold-down rear seat, tilt steering wheel, electrochromatic mirror, power seats, programmable power locks, a theft-deterrent system, steering-wheel-mounted radio controls, and automatic climate control. Leather upholstery and a power sunroof were among the few options, along with front and rear-seat heaters, chrome wheels, and an 8-speaker Bose sound system. Near-luxury rivals included the front-drive Infiniti I30 and Lexus EX 300, as well as the rear-drive Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 328i.