2007 Cadillac SRX Review
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By New Car Test Drive

Overview

Cadillac may not have created the recipe that makes the SRX, but it has come close to perfecting it. This is one utility vehicle that does it all. It has the driving dynamics of a good luxury sedan, the all-weather capability of some truck-based SUVs and the space and functionality of a minivan.

The Cadillac SRX is a good choice among luxury SUVs, if you can call it an SUV. It drives like a European sedan and its edgy styling stands out in a sea of boxy sport-utilities and minivans. Yet the SRX is quite practical. It can carry up to seven passengers, and its flat, carpeted cargo area works great for hauling cargo.

Its sharp handling, quick acceleration and high-performance braking make for a sporty, enjoyable experience with a smooth, extremely quiet ride.

The SRX comes trimmed with leather upholstery and is loaded with luxury features. The interior is stylish and comfortable. Its flat cargo floor makes the SRX a good dog car.

SRX is available with a V6 or V8 engine. Both engines feature the latest technology, including electronic throttle control and four overhead cams with fully variable valve timing. The V8s are smooth and confident and deliver brilliant acceleration for a vehicle of this size. All-wheel drive is available and we've found that the SRX performs superbly in the snow.

Overall improvements to the SRX for 2007 include an all-new cockpit with new design, materials and hand-crafted assembly process. Cadillac also has mated the Northstar V8-equipped models to a new fully electronic six-speed automatic transmission for 2007. The base audio system for the SRX has now been upgraded to Bose for 2007.

New options for 2007 include a Sport package with 20-inch wheels, all-wheel drive and limited slip differential; a Bose 5.1 digital surround sound option; a Theater option package with Bose 5.1 digital surround sound, navigation and rear-seat entertainment; an automatic odor filtration option; and Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint (PSIR) Suppression, which detects the occupant's size and, in turn, enables or disables the air bag automatically.

Model Lineup

The Cadillac SRX comes in two models differentiated by their engines, a 255-hp V6 or a 320-hp V8. The V6 is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, and the V8 is paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission. The standard interior has two rows of seats for five. An optional two-place power folding rear seat can increase seating capacity to seven.

The SRX V6 ($37,855) comes with leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control and a long list of luxury features, including an eight-way power driver's seat, a power-adjustable second-row seat, one-touch power windows, heated mirrors, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, a premium Bose audio system and the popular OnStar tele-aid system with a basic subscription for one year. This SRX comes standard with 17-inch aluminum wheels.

The SRX V8 ($44,060) adds more than a bigger engine. Its standard feature list includes heated front seats with memory for the driver's seat and power adjustments for the front passenger's seat, wood interior trim and a premium Bose audio system. The V8 also adds 18-inch wheels and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The SRX comes standard with rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive (AWD) ($1,900) is optional on both models.

Options include the expansive UltraView Plus Power Glass Sunroof ($2,250); Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control ($1,650) variable-dampening suspension; and power-adjustable pedals ($150).

Option groups allow the SRX V6 to be equipped like the V8 without the bigger engine. For example, the Luxury Package ($4,100) adds Ultra View sunroof, rear air conditioning, premium seating package and power adjustable pedals. The Theater Package ($3,745) includes Bose 5.1 Digital Surround, DVD navigation and rear seat DVD entertainment.

New for 2007 is the SRX Sport Package ($1,695) featuring front and rear sport fascias, new body-colored grille with mesh backing, four-inch dual polished exhaust tips, six-sped automatic with Driver Shift control, and optional 20-inch Sport wheels with performance tires (AWD only).

Safety features include most of the active and passive safety features available today. The SRX comes standard with dual-stage front airbags, front side-impact airbags and curtain-style head protection airbags for the first two rows of seats. To help avoid collisions before they occur, the SRX has anti-lock brakes with the latest electronic brake-force distribution and panic Brake Assist technology, traction control and electronic stability control. Rear park assist is optional. New safety equipment for 2007 is the optional PSIR Suppression, which detects the passenger occupant's size and automatically enables or disables the air bag accordingly.