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2011 Cadillac SRX Review

Cadillac SRX belongs to the luxury Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) segment. As well as well-established players BMW X3, Lexus RX 350 and Mercedes GLK350 – SRX is fighting for customers, Cadillac's newly-redesigned SRX is in a tough market. The SRX has a lot going for it with CTS-inspired styling, a handsome cabin and lots of Caddy chrome. But the SRX's ace in the hole is its size. Although priced in line with the X3 and GLK, the SRX's dimensions are closer to (and in some cases bigger than) the much more expensive Mercedes-Benz ML and BMW X5 CUVs. And, while there is no V8 option, there is a turbocharged V6 good for 300-hp that should satisfy all but the most fanatical speed freaks.

You'll Like This CUV If...

If you're seeking a utility, artful blend of style, ride and handling, car-like comfort, and surprisingly fuel-efficient performance, all in a luxury CUV, it will be difficult to overlook the SRX.

You May Not Like This CUV If...

If razor-sharp handling and merry performance are high on your list, you may be happier with a Mercedes ML or GL, BMW X5 or X3, or the Acura MDX.

What's Significant about this CUV?

Cadillac's Premium Care Maintenance program that covers, at no charge, scheduled replacement of engine and cabin air filters, oil changes, and tire rotation for 50,000 miles or four years. Rear backup camera is new standard feature for 2011. Full keyless access is now standard on Performance and Luxury models.

Driving Impressions

The 2011 SRX remains true to the spirit of a performance CUV, in spite of lack of previous generation's V8 engine option. The standard 3.0-liter V6 performs well, but it's the optional 2.8-liter turbo that offers V8-like muscle with V6 economy. With its hydraulic speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering, the SRX delivers sport-sedan feel and feedback with strong on-center feel. And, because our test car was equipped with the continuously variable real-time dampening suspension, we found the SRX a delight to drive in town, on high-speed highways and especially on twisty two-lanes.

Favorite Features

Advanced AWD
The SRX's advanced AWD system available with the 3.0-liter engine features an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) that enables it to distribute torque from side-to-side across the rear as well as front-to-rear, and it comes with continuously variable real-time damping that adjusts shock absorber rates to road conditions.

Pop-Up Three-Dimensional Navigation
We love the available, easy-to-use pop-up navigation system with its nifty-looking 3D imaging and that accurate «Turn-by-Turn» aural directions are also readily available through GM's OnStar.

Exterior

The 2011 SRX's tightly sculptured body has a wide position with its wheels at the corners and a rising shoulder that culminates in Cadillac-signature vertical large taillamps. The CUV's bold face is dominated by vertical headlamps that wrap over the front fenders and Cadillac's iconic shield-shaped grille. An integrated spoiler on the back edge of the roof extends the roofline while improving aerodynamics. Crisp side accent crease that sweeps upward from the tip of a chrome front fender vent to the rear door handle is the most striking SRX feature as well as another one runs horizontally from the bottom of the vent, curves over the rear wheel and then continues to the rear bumper.

Interior

The SRX's cabin is bathed in rich leather, French-stitched seams and wood applique's. Inside the SRX is room for 5 adults although, 4 is a more reasonable figure. The instrument panel wears hand-cut-and-sewn coverings, and subtle encompassing night lighting lends an atmosphere of attention to detail and affluence. Winged air vents flank the center console, it features large buttons and three rotary knobs for easy control of available navigation system, audio and A/C. Large LCD screen rises from the top of console incarnates the navigation option. Equally impressive are the Cadillac script logos that illuminate in the front-door sill plates when the doors are opened. The 9th-generation OnStar system now features flexible speech recognition SW, even recognizes different dialects.

Notable Standard Equipment for 2011

The Cadillac SRX's impressive list of standard features includes an AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 8-speaker Bose sound system with an auxiliary audio jack, cruise control, rear backup camera with rear-view mirror display, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated power outside mirrors, programmable power door locks, 8-way power driver's seat, manual tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel with audio controls and a 60/40-split folding rear seat with a pass-through for long objects. Among its important standard safety features are traction control and GM StabiliTrak stability, trailer stability assist, roll-over mitigation sensing, side, front and side-curtain airbags and GM OnStar with a 1-year subscription.

Notable Optional Equipment

Among the significant SRX options are advanced AWD with an electronic limited-slip differential that splits torque left-to-right between the rear wheels. Navigation system with a pop-up screen and three-dimensional imaging, adaptive forward lighting that swivels to follow the steering, a dual-screen rear entertainment system, a power liftgate with a programmable height setting, a hard disc drive with 10 GB of music storage are available. 20-inch alloy wheels and a tow package good for up to 3,500 pounds.

Under the Hood

The standard 265-HP 3.0-liter DOHC direct injected, variable valve timing, 4-valve-per-cylinder V6 is a smaller version of the award-winning 3.6-liter DI V6 found in Cadillac's CTS sedan and other GM models, and the optional 300-HP 2.8-liter turbo V6 is derived from a family of GM engines used in luxury European models. Both drive the front wheels through 6-speed automatic transaxles, the 2.8-liter turbo's with a driver-selectable «eco mode» that alters shift points to optimize fuel economy.

3.0-liter V6
265 horsepower @ 6950 rpm
223 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 (FWD); 17/23 (AWD)

2.8-liter Turbocharged V6
300 horsepower @ 5500 rpm
295 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22 (estimated)

Pricing Notes

The Cadillac SRX has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices starting around $35,000, with a fully loaded AWD model topping out close to $57,000. The SRX's entry-level price undercuts the BMW X3 by $3,000, the Lexus RX 350 by about $4,000, the Mercedes ML350 by a whopping $13,000 and all other contenders except the turbocharged 4-cylinder Acura RDX. The available AWD package adds about $7,000. On the resale value side, the SRX retains residuals similar to the Audi Q7 over time, but trails the rest of its competitors.

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