Best Car Models & All About Cars: Cadillac SRX

Cadillac SRX

Cadillac's entry in the competitive mid-size luxury SUV market, the SRX, has been given a sizable refresh for the newest model year that saw a whole change within the powertrain department.

The SRX squares off with the likes of the Lexus RX, Lincoln MKX, BMW X5 and Mercedes ML-Class. First introduced in 2004 as a true station wagon, the SRX was utterly redesigned for the 2010 model year and born once more in the shape of a trendy crossover. Just 2 years later, the SRX has already benefited from a powertrain update additionally.

Rather than offer a less-than-luxury grade 3.0-liter V6 and a two.eight-liter turbocharged unit as the premium providing, Cadillac dropped both engines and determined to travel with a single engine - a replacement 3.vi-liter V6 that produces an improved 308 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, while expected to match the fuel economy figures of both engines it replaced also at 18 city, 25 highway. GM still uses the Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic because the transmission of alternative.

Due to the powertrain changes, the only remaining powertrain-related choice is that of all-wheel drive over the standard front-wheel drive providing. Bob Reuter, global vehicle chief engineer for Cadillac says this of the SRX, "The all-wheel-drive system with electronic restricted slip effectively transfers torque not solely from front to rear, but also along the rear axle. This system sets a replacement benchmark for all all-wheel-drive systems, giving the driver management and confidence on any road surface."

Also, the latest SRX gains standard Bluetooth across the road (previously unavailable on the bottom front-wheel-drive model), a heated steering wheel as commonplace for all however the bottom model, relocated door lock switches and a new machined end for the optional 20-in. alloy wheels.

If entry-level luxury is enough for you, than the leatherette found in the base SRX might do the trick. If you're seeking high luxury, then the prime three trim levels are seemingly a lot of applicable for you, as they all feature real leather and a lot of advanced options like keyless entry, navigation and a reverse camera with an LCD screen.

Other changes embody the addition an optional heated steering wheel, xenon Blue Metallic exterior paint, all-ebony interior choice with contrasting stitching and a new twenty-in. wheel end.

Cadillac says it conjointly re-worked the shift points for the six-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission in an endeavor to maximize fuel economy.

Safety-oriented niceties include Rainsense automatic windshield wipers that communicate to the braking system, enabling the brakes to conduct slight periodic caliper applications, keeping rotors dry for optimal stopping power in wet conditions.

SRX includes HID headlamps with Adaptive Forward Lighting, Bose five.1 surround sound with navigation, a full-color LCD Driver Info Center and a rear-read camera system. OnStar is commonplace and options myCadillac and OnStar RemoteLink mobile apps and Stolen Vehicle Assistance.

The newest SRX continues to lay claim to holding the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award.

Cadillac SRX