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2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo AWD Premium Review


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SEE ALSO: Cadillac Buyers Guide

THE AUTO PAGE
By JOHN HEILIG

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: 2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo AWD Premium
Engine: 2.8-liter turbocharged V6
Horsepower/Torque: 300hp @ 5,500 rpm/295 lb.-ft. @ 2,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 110.5 in.
Length/Width/Height: 190.3 x 75.2 x 65.7 in.
Tires: P235/55R20
Cargo volume: 29.2/61/2 cu. ft. (rear seat backs up/down)
Fuel economy: 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway
Fuel capacity: 21.0 gal.
Curb weight: 4,307 lbs.
Sticker: $53,480 (includes $825 destination charge and $1,295 in options (rear seat entertainment system))

The Bottom Line: Cadillac’s smaller entry into the SUV market is a winner. Besides its traditional Cadillac tail fins, the SRX drives smaller than it is, has excellent power and incredible cargo capacity.

When Cadillac first entered the SUV market with the Escalade, there were a lot of questions. First, the Escalade was based on the GMC Yukon. Only the badging was changed to protect the innocent. Eventually, the Escalade became its own vehicle with some edgy styling by Ed Welburn and approval by NBA stars.

Now Caddy, which has enjoyed a renaissance, is branching out into a smaller SUV market with the SRX, which is more of a mid-size. It’s still fairly unique to the Cadillac brand, although the Chevrolet Traverse seems to be built on a similar platform. Styling is very much in the modern Cadillac idiom, with angles and trapezoids all over the place. Styling again makes the SRX unique even to the point of reinventing tail fins into a stylized tail light design.

Powering the SRX is a 2.8-liter V6 (a V6 in a Cadillac?) that delivers a potent 300 horsepower thanks to turbocharging. Power reaches the wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. Power delivery is smooth, as you would expect from a Cadillac. We don’t want the traditional Cadillac buyers to be too turned off, do we?

From stem to stern, though, this is a modern SUV that has enough Caddy touches to remain a Cadillac. For example, the ride quality is comfortable, as you might expect. But in the modern idiom, handling is also very good.

The front seats are comfortable, and the rear seats offer plenty of leg and knee room. This is a true five-passenger vehicle. There’s a huge sun roof that covers all passengers, even though only the front half opens.

Adding to the practicality of the SRX is a useful and huge cargo area. With the rear seat backs up, there are 29.2 cubic feet of cargo back there. This should be enough for any modern family, unless you have three daughters and a wife who insist on carrying everything. Drop those seat backs and cargo capacity increases to an enormous 61.2 cubic feet, which is great if you’re hauling compost or lugging plants back from the nursery.

The instrument panel is clear and easy to read. There are large tachometer and speedometer gauges (160 mph analog with a digital speedo inside), smaller turbo boost, fuel and water temperature gauges. In addition, there’s an analog clock in the center of the dash, which seems to be de rigueur for luxury cars these days.

There are cubbies all over the place, with two-level cubbies in the doors (all four), one at the base of the center stack and a deep center console.

I liked the rear hatch. First, it’s powered, which is a gift to my old muscles. Second, there are three levels of “open,” so that you can pre-program it to open only as far as you need. This also makes it easier to shut, because shorter people (my wife, for example) may have difficulty reaching the button that power closes the hatch.

Visibility all around is very good. All too often lately, SUVs have sloping rear windows that result in reducing rear visibility.

To sum up, the Cadillac SRX is a very good mid-size SUV/CUV with excellent power for its size, enormous practicality and knock-`em-dead styling.

© 2010 The Auto Page Syndicate