2001 Cadillac Catera Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

This compact-sized sedan is Cadillac's lowest-priced car and its only rear-wheel-drive model. An Americanized Opel built by that General Motors European subsidiary, Catera's sole powertrain is a V6 with 4-speed automatic transmission. Standard are antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, front side airbags, load-leveling suspension, leather upholstery, and GM's OnStar assistance system. The Sport package option adds a firmer suspension and 17-inch wheels. Catera will not be offered for the 2002 model year, as Cadillac gears up for a sportier 2003 replacement called the CTS.

Competition

This hotly contested segment has a clear benchmark; it is the Acura TL (and its 2-door cousin Acura CL). The TL succeeds in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. If you are leaning more toward the luxury scale, the Lexus ES 300 might be a more practical purchase.

We also recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored Audi A6, the comfortable Buick Park Avenue, the affordable and fast Infiniti I30.

News

For 2003, the German-sourced Catera departs as Cadillac's entry-level sedan in favor of the CTS, a slightly larger new American-built car. V6 power and rear-wheel drive continue, but the engine is enlarged to 3.2 liters and couples to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic transmission, both firsts for a Cadillac. Catera came only with a 4-speed automatic.

CTS, a.k.a. "Cadillac Touring Sedan," also introduces the new General Motors Sigma platform that will support the next-generation Cadillac Seville and other upcoming GM cars. Styling is from Cadillac's new "art & science" mold, with a large, slightly vee'd eggcrate grille finished in body color, plus stacked quad headlamps and very angular overall lines. Pricing also wasn't available for this report, but Cadillac will try mighty hard to start CTS near the 2001 Catera's $31,305 base sticker in a bid for higher sales.

2001 Cadillac Catera Road Test

Pros	Cons

Brake performance	Control layout

Build quality

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base w/Sport Pkg.	Class Average
5	6.1

Merely adequate. Transmission often has to downshift two gears for passing, but is smooth and responsive.

Fuel Economy

Base w/Sport Pkg.	Class Average
5	4.7

Averaged 19-20 mpg in our tests. Cadillac recommends premium fuel.

Ride Quality

Base w/Sport Pkg.	Class Average
6	6.4

Base suspension firm but reasonably comfortable. Sport package rides flatter at speed, but more jittery over washboard surfaces.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base w/Sport Pkg.	Class Average
6	6.3

Less athletic than some Euro-brand rivals, but competent. Brakes are strong, with good stability and little nosedive.

Quietness

Base w/Sport Pkg.	Class Average
6	6.7

V6 snarls under hard throttle but is otherwise quiet. Road noise is high for near-luxury class.

Controls

Base w/Sport Pkg.	Class Average
6	6.1

Main instruments and controls logically placed. Steering column angles slightly to right, an annoyance to some of our drivers. Cabin materials better than most domestics, but not Audi-class.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base w/Sport Pkg.	Class Average
6	7

Comfortable seats are softer than Eurocar norm; optional Sport Package seats firmer. Head and leg room good, hip and elbow room a tad tight. Large headrests and narrow back window hamper aft visibility.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base w/Sport Pkg.	Class Average
5	5.1

Too narrow for three adults, but head and leg room are adequate. Wide door openings assist entry/exit.

Cargo Room

Base w/Sport Pkg.	Class Average
4	4

Split-fold rear seatbacks with pass-through enhance versatility of roomy trunk with low liftover.

Value within Class

Base w/Sport Pkg.	Class Average
3	4.7

Solid-feeling with a relatively spacious interior and competent road manners. But can't match BMW 3-Series for performance, roadability, cachet, or Lexus ES 300 for refinement, build quality, resale value. In short, a near-luxury also-ran.

Total Score

Base w/Sport Pkg.	Class Average
52	57.1

Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars

Low Score		48
Average Score		57
High Score		70

2001 Cadillac Catera Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 08/09/2000

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan	$31,305	$28,957	$640

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

3.0-liter dohc V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate control, OnStar System w/one year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available), variable-assist power steering, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat, passenger seat power height-adjustment, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat w/trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote-keyless entry system, AM/FM/cassette, steering-wheel radio controls, digital clock, tachometer, variable intermittent wipers, outside temperature display, remote fuel-door and decklid release, rear defogger, automatic day/night rearview mirror, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, cornering lights, fog lights, load-leveling suspension, full-size spare, 225/55HR16 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Luxury Pkg.
Base	$995	$846
Memory driver seat, memory outside and rearview mirrors, 8-way power passenger seat, universal garage door opener, theft-deterrent system w/alarm.

Sport Pkg.
Base	$2,510	$2,134
Luxury Pkg. plus heated front seats, rear spoiler, high intensity discharge headlights, sport suspension, 235/45HR17 tires.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Heated front seats
Base	$425	$361


Power sunroof
Base	$995	$846


AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Base	$973	$827
Includes weatherband, radio data system, Bose sound system.

Power rear sunshade
Base	$295	$251


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Chrome alloy wheels
Base	$795	$509
NA w/Sport Pkg.

2001 Cadillac Catera Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Cadillac Catera 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	107.5

Overall Length, in.	192.2

Overall Width, in.	70.3

Overall Height, in.	56.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	3815

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.5

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	16.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.2

Rear Head Room, in.	38.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	37.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.0 /181

Horsepower @ rpm.	200 @ 6000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	192 @ 3400

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	17/24

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Cadillac Catera 4-door sedan

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Germany

Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive

< 2001 Cadillac Catera Photos

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