The thick, squared-off style of the armrests, the tops of the doors, the dashboard, and other components look a lot like what you'd find in a Volvo. This is quite different from previous Cadillacs, which tended to overdo interior trim to gaudy levels only Detroit could possibly attain. This Catera is nicely understated and solid looking. Cadillac is clearly aiming for buyers looking at European cars. Up front, our tuchuses were coddled by very comfortable leather seats, while the accommodations in the back were nothing to complain about either.
Visibility is pretty good all around.
Well, the Catera's switches are worthy of your attention. They have a rubberized cover on them that makes the very act of opening a window an exercise in luxury. Cadillac deserves credit for refusing to infest the Catera's dashboard with a video screen, an abomination to which so many other luxury-car makers have succumbed. Instead, there are straightforward controls for the ventilation system and the stereo. Good job here, Caddy.