DETROIT — To
take its excellent new SRX luxury crossover SUV up a
notch, Cadillac:
A: Did it the
old-fashioned way, with more horsepower.
B. Went
ultramodern, with advanced drivetrain technology.
C. Loaded it
with appealing features and kept the price reasonable.
D. All of the
above.
The answer is
D.
The
300-horsepower SRX turbo — the performance version of
Cadillac's hot-selling new crossover —— adds
seamless turbocharging to boost the SRX's power above
competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Infiniti FX35 and
Lexus RX 350.
The
turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 generates 13 percent more
horsepower than the 265-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 that's
standard equipment in the SRX. More impressive, the
smaller engine produces 295 pound-feet of torque at a
mere 2,000 rpm. That's a 32 percent improvement over the
3.0-liter's 223 pound-feet.
Prices for the
2010 SRX turbo start at $48,815. All-wheel drive and a
six-speed automatic transmission are standard on all SRX
turbos.
I tested a very
well-equipped SRX turbo that stickered at $52,665. All
prices exclude destination charges.
The combination
of high torque at a low engine speed equates to better
off-the-line acceleration, an area where the SRX turbo
excels.
However, the
crossover's highway acceleration — in this case, the
time between mashing the pedal and getting around the
semi that cut me off as I drove to Chicago — could be
better. Cadillac optimized the six-speed automatic
transmission for highway fuel economy, at the cost of
acceleration from 60 mph up.
The benefit
from that choice is an EPA fuel economy rating of 15 mpg
in the city and 22 mpg on the highway — effectively
matching the performance-oriented Infiniti FX35's 16
city/21 highway rating. The 3.5-liter FX35 edges the SRX
turbo by 3 horsepower, but its torque output of 262
pound-feet at 4,800 rpm trails the SRX significantly.
Cadillac
clearly wanted its performance crossover to turn the
tricky double play of class-leading power and fuel
economy. It nudged the shift points a few degrees away
from ideal highway drivability to win bragging rights.
That's a
relatively minor drawback in an excellent vehicle with a
compelling price, however.
The SRX's
handling, comfort and features all rank at or near the
top of its class, and it undercuts the price of its key
competitor, RX 350.
In addition to
its new engine, the SRX turbo gets a different six-speed
automatic transmission from the 3.0-liter model. That
Aisin-Warner gearbox features overdrive ratios in the
fifth and sixth gears to maximize fuel economy.
The SRX turbo
comes with a long list of standard features, including a
Bose sound system, heated and cooled front seats, rear
video camera, front and rear ultrasonic parking assist,
multi-position power tailgate, a large sunroof and a
voice-activated navigation system. The navigation
system's voice control does not work as well as Ford's
voice-controlled units, but the other features function
admirably.
In addition to
its value and power, the SRX strikes an admirable
balance of comfortable ride and responsive handling. The
speed-variable steering is precise and nicely balanced.
The brakes have plenty of power for confident stops, and
the suspension absorbs bumps with aplomb while hugging
the road in quick maneuvers.
Passenger room
and comfort are good. The modern and attractive interior
design features soft and appealing materials in subdued
tones. The SRX offers 29.8 cubic feet of storage space
behind its backseat and 61.0 cubic feet with the seat
folded down. Cargo capacity compares well with the Q5,
X3 and FX35. The RX 350 offers considerably more
stowage.
The exterior
design is unchanged from the base SRX's modern and
athletic shape.
The 2010
Cadillac SRX turbo delivers the power, handling, comfort
and features to run with the best luxury crossovers.
While its leisurely highway acceleration is a
disappointment in a performance model, the SRX makes up
for that shortcoming with its good value.
———
2010 CADILLAC
SRX 2.8T PREMIUM
All-wheel drive
five-seat luxury crossover SUV
Rating: Four
out of four stars
Price as
tested: $52,665 (excluding destination charges)
Reasons to buy:
Power, features, value
Shortcomings:
Highway acceleration, voice-control system
———
SRX TURBO AWD
AT A GLANCE
Rear- or
four-wheel drive five- or seven-passenger midsize SUV
Engine:
300-horsepower turbocharged 2.8-liter 24-valve DOHC V6
Transmission:
Six-speed automatic
Price range:
$48,815-$51,360 (excluding destination charges)
KEY FEATURES
Antilock
brakes; rollover-sensing electronic stability control;
curtain air bags; front-seat side air bags;
tire-pressure monitor; adaptive headlights; front
seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters; front and
rear ultrasonic parking assist; electronic limited-slip
differential; fog lamps; navigation system with voice
recognition; 40 GB hard drive; AM/FM/CD audio with Bose
10-speaker system; USB and auxiliary inputs; XM
satellite radio; power sunroof; rearview camera; power
heated and ventilated front seats; power adjustable
pedals; cruise control; memory for driver's seat, pedals
and sideview mirrors; heated rear seats; manually
adjustable tilt and telescope steering column; remote
start; keyless access; three-zone climate control.
Option on
vehicle tested: Rear-seat dual-screen DVD video with
wireless headphones and remote control.
COMPETITIVE EPA
FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS
(Automatic
transmission all-wheel drive 2010 models. Premium fuel)
Cadillac SRX
turbo AWD: 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway
Audi Q5: 18 mpg
city/23 mpg highway
BMW X3: 17 mpg
city/24 mpg highway
Infiniti FX35:
16 mpg city/21 mpg highway
Lexus RX 350:
18 mpg city/24 mpg highway
———
SPECIFICATIONS
AS TESTED
Engine:
2.8-liter turbocharged DOHC 24-valve V6
Power: 300
horsepower at 5,500 rpm; 295 pound-feet of torque at
2,000 rpm
Transmission:
Six-speed automatic
Fuel economy:
15 mpg city/22 mpg highway
Wheelbase:
110.5 inches
Length: 190.3
inches
Width: 75.2
inches
Height: 65.7
inches
Curb weight:
4,387 pounds
Where
assembled: Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
COMPARATIVE
BASE PRICES
(not including
destination charges)
(Automatic
transmission, all-wheel drive models)
Audi Q5
Quattro: $37,350
2010 BMW X3
XDrive 3.0i: $38,850
2010 Infiniti
FX35 AWD: $43,850
2010 Lexus RX
350: $39,035