For the year or so remaining until a completely new version of the entry-level Catera arrives, Cadillac will give the existing sports sedan a few important changes for the 2000 model year.
The facelift for 2000 involves new front and rear fascias and lights, a smoother hood because the washer nozzles have been removed, and quarter panels. The intention is to present a tighter, cleaner and more upscale style.
Inside Catera there's been an extensive revision, which focused on moving many of the knobs closer to the things they control and giving the instrument panel a new shape and covering it with a richer grain of plastic.
Also, the doors get integrated handles and storage compartments with latches, the central front armrest now has dual slide-out/slide-in cupholders, and the centre console gets a revised centre stack with an extra power point as well as revised and upgraded sound systems.
The 3-button OnStar system has been added to Catera for 2000, providing route guidance, theft avoidance, concierge and emergency help when requested or when required.
To get the feel of the rest of the changes, you have to get the Catera moving. There won't be any more power available to make that happen, since Cadillac seems happy enough with the 3-litre, DOHC V-6 that provides 200 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque at 3400 rpm.