Cadillac SRX: Just Got Better

A new engine lands the 2012 Cadillac SRX in the thick of the luxury-crossover hunt.

Gathering together the gaggle of luxury crossovers is something akin to lining up the Stepford wives—each is attractive and nearly perfect. Let’s call them the Stepford Crossovers. Numbered among them are the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Infiniti EX, Lincoln MKX and so on. Each is a terrific vehicle in a mix of, well, terrific vehicles.

Although the Cadillac SRX shared the neighborhood, until 2012 it has been more like the recently arrived, outsider wife, playacting in an attempt to fit in. It looked good, but its heart just wasn’t in it. Even so, last year it still managed to push aside all but the Lexus RX 350 for top sales honors in the segment.

To address the issue of heart, Cadillac jerked out last year’s 265 hp 3-liter V6, transplanting in its place a version of the 308 hp 3.6-liter V6, lifted from the CTS. Engineers fussed with the new engine to adapt it to the SRX’s FWD configuration.

The new V6’s peak torque is up nearly 20 percent over last-year’s V6 to 265 lb-ft, and is available from a low 2,400 rpm to about 5,300 rpm, translating into enhanced acceleration whether from a standing stop or when passing slower traffic.

Carried over from 2011, a 6-speed, driver-shiftable automatic transmission wrangles the V6’s ponies to the wheels. AWD is available as an option on all but the base SRX, ranging in price from about $2,500 to $2,800, depending on the trim level.

To make better use of the new V6’s output, there is a Sport mode that causes the transmission to hold the shifts longer and downshift earlier. Also available is an Eco mode that coaxes the opposite behavior out of the tranny for marginally better fuel economy than normal mode.

With the added power of the larger V6 comes a slight hit to fuel economy; however, the EPA still rates the FWD versions at 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. This is not the best mileage in the segment—some competitors get as much as 2 mpg more. Opting for AWD drops the numbers by 1 mpg for both the city and highway ratings.

With an eye toward sharper handling, the engineers tuned the four-wheel independent suspension a bit on the firm side. MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the rear provide the core of the architecture. Stabilizer bars fore and aft tie together the right and left sides.

Cadillac offers the SRX in four trim levels: Base, Luxury, Performance, and Premium. AWD versions of the two top trim levels also get an adaptive damping system that instantaneously reacts to changing conditions and driver input.

Every SRX has four-wheel disc brakes with antilock. Included are traction control, stability control, electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency braking assist. Inside, six airbags help protect passengers in the case of a collision.

Cadillac delivered a $49,960 Premium AWD SRX for this evaluation. You can spend as little as $36,360 for the FWD Base version. Spread out in between are the other two trim levels.

Inside Sophistication

The SRX cabin can accommodate five, but a passenger relegated to the middle position in the back seat must make do without a headrest.

This is a sophisticated cabin packed with luxury appointments and some techno-geek features.

Passenger space is about average for the segment. Thanks to the panoramic sunroof that’s standard in all but the Base model, rear-seat headroom is somewhat compromised in the more expensive trims. The adjustable power rear liftgate opens to reveal 29 cubic feet of cargo space with the split-folding, reclining second-row seat in place and 61 cubic feet of room with that seat folded.

The Base SRX gets a seat covering that does a convincing impression of leather; other trim levels get actual leather.

The heavily sculpted exterior styling carries into the interior. It’s a collection of sharp angles and corners. A busy place, the center stack houses a dizzying display of knobs and buttons that seem complicated at first glance, but are rather easy to master.

When equipped with the hard-drive-based navigation system, the 8-inch touchscreen rises out of the center of the instrument panel when the ignition is engaged.

Accessories

Every SRX comes standard with full power accessories, heated outboard mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry/start, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, tilt-telescoping steering wheel with redundant audio controls, Bluetooth connectivity, OnStar with free one-year subscription, and a Bose-infused eight-speaker audio system with CD player, USB port, and iPod interface.

By the time you work your way up to the Premium trim, included in the standard features are 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, front-rear park assist, rain-sensing wipers, heated steering wheel, rearview camera, real wood accents, heated-ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, hard-drive-based navigation system, and a Bose 10-speaker 5.1 surround-sound audio system.

In no danger of losing its sales-leader status among luxury crossovers to the SRX, the Lexus RX 350 will no doubt retain the title in 2012. With its improved powertrain, however, SRX should gain some ground this year. Already a tough competitor, SRX just got a whole lot better.