Only exotic cars such as the Aston Martin once had a hand-crafted interior, but the
2007 Cadillac SRX has one. Thank General Motors product czar Bob Lutz, who griped for years about marginal GM vehicle interiors.
The SRX looks starched and crisp, as if just back from a good laundry. It's based on Cadillac's CTS sedan and is recognizable as a Cadillac, although it doesn't look like anything else.
The SRX could be called a luxury crossover vehicle, or a tall, posh station wagon. It has a longer wheelbase (distance between axles) than the CTS and is taller and longer overall, with a wider track. Vertical headlights, knife-slash taillights and sharp body character lines give a distinctive look.
The 2007 interior has an instrument panel that uses Cadillac's new "cut-and-sew" hand-crafted assembly process. It also has new hand-wrapped upper trim, center stack (dash area just ahead of console), door and wood trim, analog clock and steering wheel. The interior is roomier, with a new streamlined center console.
The 320-horsepower V-8 model works with a new electronic six-speed automatic transmission, up from five speeds. The 260-horsepower V-6 model has a five-speed automatic. Both overhead-camshaft engines are sophisticated, and the transmissions are responsive.
A new sport package for both SRX versions has such items as a unique grille and interior trim, dual polished exhaust tips and 20-inch wheels with performance tires if ordered with all-wheel drive. The SRX V-6 and V-8 are offered with rear-drive or all-wheel drive, which isn't for off-road use but provides better handling and traction. The V-6 with rear-drive costs $37,110, and the V-8 with rear-drive is $43,315. All-wheel drive costs $1,900 extra for either model.
The base sound system has been improved, and there is a Bose 5.1 digital surround sound option and a "theater" option package with Bose 5.1 digital surround, along with navigation and rear-seat entertainment systems.
The leather-upholstered SRX has virtually all the comfort, convenience and safety items found in luxury cars, but there are useful options. One is GM's magnetic Ride Control, which provides continuously variable damping at each wheel for a smoother ride. The standard suspension provides a supple ride, helped by the SRX's long wheelbase, although the ride isn't up to luxury sedan standards.
Anti-lock brakes are standard, as are front side air bags and curtain side air bags that cover the front two seating rows. A kid-size third-row seat is optional; it's power operated to fold flush with the cargo floor when not needed.
An optional Ultraview Plus sunroof glass roof slides open over first- and second-row seats, and features a glass roof over the third-row seat.
The SRX is rather heavy, with the lightest model being the rear-drive V-6, at 4,229 pounds. The V-6 thus provides only decent 65-75 mph passing on expressways or highways. It's noisier during hard acceleration than the V-8, which delivers stronger open-road performance.
Fuel economy with the V-6 is an estimated 16 mpg in the city and 24 on highways with rear drive and 16 and 23 with all-wheel drive. The V-8 delivers 15 city and 22 highway with either drive setup. The V-6 needs only regular grade fuel, and Cadillac says premium is "recommended but not required" for the V-8.
The steering is precise but a little slow to react when, say, turning from a street onto another street or into an alley. Handling is generally good because the SRX has nearly 50/50 weight distribution and a fairly low center of gravity. But its height and substantial weight don't allow it to make the quick, sure moves of, say, a BMW or Porsche rival.
Helping stability is GM's StabiliTrak electronic suspension system that coordinates subsystems such as braking, suspension, steering, traction control and powertrain controls to optimize vehicle stability and control. It acts to reduce the likelihood of spins by improving handling and enhancing stability. It helps correct a potential slide or loss of control before a driver is aware of it.
Five tall adults fit in the first two seating rows. The front row has supportive front bucket seats and there's a comfortable split-folding, sliding second-row seat. Rear wheel openings partially hinder rear seat entry and exit, although all doors are plenty long. Gauges can be easily read, but rather small sound and climate system controls take getting used to.
The cargo area is moderately high, as is the passenger floor, but has a wide opening. Cargo space is tight with the third seat in its normal position but is spacious with the third seat folded into the floor and second-row seatbacks flipped forward. Three covered rear storage bins are a smart feature, and the power rear liftgate is handy.
The hood easily swings open on a hydraulic strut, revealing a neatly designed engine compartment with easily reached fluid filler areas.
Sales of the SRX for the first 10 months this year totaled 18,415 units, down slightly from the same year-ago period but more than respectable in the crowded crossover vehicle market.
2007 CADILLAC SRX
PRICE: $37,110-$45,215
LIKES: New hand-crafted interior. Roomier. Strong V-8 performance.
DISLIKES: Average V-6 highway punch. Steering a bit slow. Wheel openings hinder rear entry/exit.