2007 Cadillac SRX Review

PROS
Impressive ride/handling balance, Good passenger and cargo room, Top-notch interior

CONSSkimpy thrid-row seat, Balky automatic transmission

A diamond in the rough SRX was introduced in 2004 as Cadillac's first-ever crossover SUV. SRX is a car-based 4-door wagon that seats up to seven and offers either V6 or V8 power. It shares chassis and components with the Cadillac CTS sedan and competes with other luxury SUVs like the Acura MDX, BMW X5, Infiniti FX, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Volvo XC90.

SRX comes in two models, V6 and V8. The V6 is powered by a 255-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. The V8 comes with Cadillac's 4.6-liter Northstar engine that makes 320 horsepower. The V6 mates to a 5-speed automatic, and the V8 mates to a 6-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is a $1900 option on either model. The AWD system does not have a low range and is not intended for off-road use.

Optional features include rear air conditioning, power-adjustable pedals, navigation system, rear-entertainment system, power-operated third-row seat, magnetic ride-control suspension, 18-inch wheels, and power sunroof. The sunroof, which Cadillac calls Ultraview, has a 5.6-foot opening and is also available with a fixed glass panel over third-row seats.

For 2007 Cadillac engineers redesigned the interior of the SRX giving it new materials and a fresh look. The interior features a new instrument panel, hand-wrapped and stitched interior surfaces, analog clock, and wood and chrome trim.

Prices start at $37,110 for the V6 and $43,315 for the V8. Both have a destination charge of $745.

The 5-speed transmission is smooth-shifting under acceleration and reacts well to driver input when shifted manually. However, in highway passing situations a heavy throttle foot is required to find needed passing reserves.

Rear-drive models come standard with traction control, which does a good job of limiting wheel spin on wet or snowy pavement. However, if you consistently drive in the rain or on snow- or ice-covered roads, the available all-wheel drive offers additional traction.

EPA numbers for the rear-drive V6 model are a respectable 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Those numbers compare favorably to other midsize luxury SUVs. In real-world driving expect to average about 18 mpg around town and 21 mpg on the highway. Cadillac recommends more-expensive premium-grade fuel for both V6 and V8 models.

On the Road SRX rides more like a luxury sedan than an SUV. That isn't to say it rides better than a luxury sedan, but the ride quality is smoother than most luxury SUVs. The suspension does an excellent job of absorbing minor road imperfections and smothering freeway expansion joints. However, large bumps sometimes pound through unfiltered and can be unsettling for passengers. This is much more noticeable on models equipped with the optional 18-inch wheels.

Interior noise levels are among the lowest in the class. The V6 is nearly silent cruising around town and on the highway. In hard acceleration, engine noise never rises above a muted growl. On the highway, wind and tire noise are almost non-existent making the SRX an excellent high-speed cruiser.

Behind the Wheel Whoever approved SRX's new interior should be given a promotion. It went from also-ran status among luxury SUVs to class leader in one fell swoop. Nearly every surface is covered by hand-stitched and padded leather. Real wood and chrome highlights add an upscale feel.

Classy gauges are easy to read day or night. Ancillary controls for the windows, mirrors, and climate-control system are right where you'd expect them to be and backlight at night. The navigation-system display combines controls for the audio and navigation systems into an easy to operate touch screen. Topping things off are steering-wheel-mounted controls and a voice command system.

The front-bucket seats are firm, supportive, and comfortable on long trips. There's ample head and leg room. Driving position is good, but the steering wheel only tilts while most competitors offer a tilt/telescope steering column. Outward visibility is good thanks to large outside mirrors and available rear-view camera. Still, thick roof pillars make parking difficult at times.

Cargo space isn't what you'd expect with the third-row seats up, but, when they are folded there's plenty of space for a weekend's worth of luggage. The second row seats fold in a snap and then cargo space equals most of SRX's SUV competition. The available rear storage system is a nice touch, giving three covered bins for small item storage.

Bottom Line It's hard to imagine why SRX isn't the best-selling midsize luxury SUV. It handles well, has plenty of power, gets good fuel economy, has plenty of passenger and cargo space, and most-importantly is priced fairly. In addition, the interior's new duds place it a class above most competitors.

Still, SRX remains only a mild sales success for Cadillac--especially when compared to the hot CTS upon which it is based. That's good news for buyers who might be shopping for discounts or those more concerned about getting a good vehicle rather than getting the right badge.