SRX luxury crossover offers ‘soul of a sports sedan’

SRX luxury crossover offers ‘soul of a sports sedan’

2007 Cadillac SRX
By: Rob Beintema

The Cadillac SRX has offered luxury customers a unique crossover combination since its debut in the 2004 model year. As the only car-based SUV in Cadillac’s lineup, the SRX shares a Sigma platform with the CTS sports sedan and its inherent handling and performance capabilities blend nicely with real-world tall wagon utility. In other words, room and cargo space without the macho pretensions and harsher realities of truck-based architecture.

In true Cadillac form, the SRX comes fully-loaded with leather interior, a long list of standard included items and a wide choice of optional luxury touches and amenities.

I was testing a 2007 version, rather late in the model year, but impressive none the less, courtesy of the constant evolution of product that this year introduced an all-new interior.

Changes inside include a new instrument panel and revisions to the hand-wrapped upper trim, console, center stack, door trim, wood trim, analog clock and steering wheel. There’s a stronger accent on the traditional elements of dark wood and chrome trim and the cockpit feels more luxurious with softer tactile surfaces and new flush mounted switches and controls.

The stitching along dash and door trim reflect Cadillac's new "cut-and-sew" interior process, a very modern technique that accents the cockpit’s Old World hand-built flavour and style.

Very nice. Seating is comfortable with plenty of space for five passengers and even room for seven with the optional power-fold third row seat. Both back seats fold flat providing an impressive maximum storage area of 1968 L (69.5 cu.ft.) for those home renovation runs to the lumber centre. A power rear liftgate comes standard.

The cabin is quiet, comfortable and, in this case, airy and open thanks to the Ultraview glass roof with sliding tinted panels over the first and seconds rows.

All the inner luxuries are complimented by an exterior that is still as sleekly handsome as it was when it debuted four year ago.

The classic Cadillac look has moved forward this year with a new Sport Package that adds a bit more bling, garnering plenty of “pimp my ride” comments courtesy of the bolder front and rear sport fascias, new body-colored grille with V-Series-style mesh backing, 4-inch dual polished exhaust tips, 20-inch polished finish aluminum wheels with performance tires and chrome roof luggage carrier.

My tester was dipped in Transition Blue, one of those elusive and subtle hues that’s hard to capture in the accompanying photos, seemingly shifting in shade and tone according to light and time of day.

Under the skin, the SRX walks the talk with two powertrain choices - the base 3.6-litre V6 VVT or the 4.6-litre Northstar V8 VVT.

The 3.6-litre V6 makes 255 hp @ 6500 rpm and 254 lb-ft of torque at 2800 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed automatic and it pulls more than adequately. Some drivers find it more nimble with less weight over the front wheels than the optional V8 version. Fuel economy is rated at 14.9L/9.4L/100km (city/hwy)(AWD).

The 4.6-litre Northstar V8 produces 320 hp @ 6400 rpm and 315 lb-ft of torque @ 4400 rpm. This year it is mated to Cadillac’s first-ever 6-speed automatic, the 6L50-E Hydra-Matic that was designed to deliver strong initial launch acceleration and "tall" overdrive ratios for enhanced civility and reduced fuel consumption. Fuel economy is rated at 16.L/10L/100km (city/hwy)(AWD). My fuel consumption with this model averaged around the 16L/100km mark.

Both powertrain choices can be mated to either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

For 2007, the SRX also added BOSE audio upgrades, an automatic odor filtration option and PSIR Suppression (Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint), which detects the occupant's size and, in turn, enables or disables the air bag automatically. And all SRX models feature the new OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation that allows a live advisor to give step-by-step directions to customers through their OnStar system.

As mentioned earlier, it is a little late in the 2007 season. Which is a minor problem but also an opportunity for customers. The 2008 models are coming with improvements that include standard remote start system , a redesigned steering wheel, a tire pressure monitor made standard on all models and a couple of new colour choices - Black Cherry and Crystal Red.

And, best of all, according to GM’s website, 2008 base prices will be the lowest in SRX history. The 2008 SRX V6 will start at $46,695 compared to the 2007 MSRP of $49,730. And the 2008 SRX V8 is listed at $60,300 compared to the 2007 MSRP of $61,730.

Which might make the 2008 models worth waiting for. Or, at least offer a little extra bartering room for a 2007 SRX.

Regardless of model year or packaging however, for luxury customers, the SRX has consistently offered a nice blend of performance and utility. This “luxury crossover with the soul of a sports sedan” makes the most of long wheelbase civility, 50/50 weight distribution and car-like handling and maneuverability while adding available all-wheel drive security and enough storage space and crossover-style, trip-to-the cottage utility to suit any family and any occasion.

In future, look for a rumoured new BRX (or CRX), sharing a platform with a new Saab 9-4X and a Buick product, to either replace or supplement the SRX by 2009 and beyond.

2007 Cadillac SRX at a glance

BODY STYLE: mid-size 5-door luxury crossover

DRIVE METHOD: rear-wheel or all-wheel drive

ENGINE: 3.6-litre V6 (255 hp/254 lb-ft) /

4.6-litre V8 produces (320 hp/315 lb-ft)

FUEL ECONOMY: SRX V6 (RWD): 14.3L/8.9L/100km (city/hwy)

SRX V8 (AWD): 16.L/10L/100km (city/hwy)

PRICE: SRX V6 - $49,730, SRX V8 - $61,730, As tested - $73,110

WEBSITE: gmcanada.com

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