2012 Cadillac SRX delivers the goods

BY JOHN STEIN Automotive Editor February 13, 2012 2:29PM

2012 CADILLAC SRX PREMIUM

ENGINE: 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6

TRANSMISSION: six-speed automatic

DRIVETRAIN: front-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 17 city/24 highway

BASE PRICE: $45,975

AS TESTED: $48,740

WEBSITE: cadillac.com

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While 18-inch rims are standard on the Base and Luxury collections, my tester featured gorgeous 20-inch machined-face wheels. The SRX gives the perception of having European DNA because of the extra-wide stance, with the wheels pushed way out to the corners and minimal overhangs. This crossover offers a real feeling of aggressiveness, though the vehicle is clearly a refined machine with a high-class pedigree to go with its high-powered output.

Start with the new 3.6-liter V-6 engine as one of the core components of the SRX’s success. Rated at 308 horsepower with 265 pound-feet of torque, this is the only power plant offered in this crossover.

While curb weight exceeds 4,400 pounds, heavy for a crossover, I found my SRX tester to be agile and accommodating in even the most aggressive maneuvers. The SRX’s V-6 is mated to a sleek Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission. Short errands and hard acceleration into highway traffic yielded outstanding results from the combination of the V-6 and six-speed transmission. Shifts were efficient and hardly recognizable.

The SRX transmission offers an Eco option, available by pressing a button on the console, which delivers an extra efficient use of fuel (about a mile more per gallon). My front-wheel-drive Premium tester, with a sticker price of $45,975, had Environmental Protection Agency fuel ratings of 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

The four-wheel independent suspension system, as well as the power-assisted variable-effort and speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering, fit the SRX very well. The extra weight for the crossover serves to stabilize this vehicle under most any road conditions.

Once inside the quiet cabin of the SRX, you will be impressed with the roominess and accessibility to rear areas. SRX presents an adequate 29.2 cubic feet of cargo space and a cool power lift gate that has a control button to modulate how high the gate lifts. If you really need some utility flex, fold down the second row and enjoy 61.2 cubic feet of space. When equipped with the optional trailer package, SRX can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Cadillac did not make too many revisions to the 2012 SRX inside the cabin. New for 2012 are Bluetooth phone connectivity, heated steering wheel and door lock switches on the door panels (in addition to the center console).

Heated leather seats were appreciated with the December temps dropping at night, and the view sitting in the SRX is a raised line of sight, much better than in a sedan. Front- and second-row passengers have plenty of head and leg room. Cadillac’s 3-D imaging on the navigation system is a pleasure to operate and after a couple days it is pretty intuitive to set. Maybe just as impressive was the screen rising from the center of the dashboard. Jaguar and Audi are part of a short list of manufacturers that do this and it is a great addition to the interior.

The Cadillac SRX is clearly at the top end of a short list of luxury crossovers that are not just offering a vehicle to have something in the segment, but are trying to raise the bar for expectations and delivering the goods yet again.

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