Sporty and luxurious utility.
(Find Used in Your Area)
By Michelle Krebs
Overview
The Cadillac SRX is among the best of the luxury SUVs. The SRX drives like a European sports 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 nice, flat carpeted cargo area works great for hauling stuff.The SRX comes trimmed with leather upholstery and is loaded with luxury features. The interior is stylish and comfortable, if not warm and inviting. Its available in V6 and V8 versions. The V8s are smooth and confident and deliver brilliant acceleration. All-wheel drive is available and we've found the SRX performs superbly in the snow. Its sharp handling, quick acceleration and high-performance braking make for a sporty, enjoyable experience. Yet it offers a smooth, extremely quiet ride. It's sporty luxury. The SRX was launched as an all-new vehicle for 2004, and there are few changes for 2005, though popular options on last year's V8 model are now standard and its price has been raised accordingly.
Model Lineup
The Cadillac SRX comes standard with two rows of seats to carry five people; an optional power third-row seat is available to accommodate up to seven passengers. Two engines are available, a 3.6-liter V6 and a 4.6-liter V8. Both are paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The SRX comes standard with rear-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option.The base SRX ($38,340) comes with rear-wheel drive and the V6. It comes standard with leather upholstery and a long list of luxury features, including an eight-way driver seat; a power-adjustable second-row seat; one-touch power windows; heated mirrors; steering wheel-mounted audio controls; driver and passenger climate controls; AM/FM cassette in-dash single CD player; and OnStar telecommunications. All-wheel drive ($1,900) is optional along with most of the features available on the V8 model. Other options include the UltraView sun roof ($1,800); navigation system ($1,995); power-adjustable pedals ($150); heated front seats ($450); and trailer package ($250). The V8 model ($50,135) comes with all the V6 features plus 18-inch wheels; tire pressure monitor; heated front seats; power passenger seat; power-adjustable pedals; memory system for driver's seat, mirrors, and pedals; wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel; wood interior trim; rear air conditioner system; Bose AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-disc CD changer; UltraView power sun roof; driver's side automatic day/night mirror, universal garage door opener; reconfigurable rear storage system and roof rack. The V8 can be further upgraded by adding the Luxury Performance Package ($6,920), which includes a navigation system, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, XM Satellite Radio ($9.95 monthly fee after third month), third-row seats, xenon headlights, power-stowable third-row seat, trailering equipment, and Magnetic Ride Control suspension. All-wheel drive is available ($1,900). For comparison, buyers of the V6 model will can add the $3,095 $2,640 luxury package, and $2,250 utility package including all-wheel drive and third-row seat for an average price of $44,685 $43,925, which makes it competitive with the Mercedes-Benz ML350 at $45,760, the Volvo XC90 at $42,005 and the BMW X5 3.0i at $46,070. The already well-equipped V8 can be upgraded by adding all-wheel drive ($1,900) and third row seat ($1,000), bringing the price to $53,730. That positions it between above a similarly equipped Lexus GX 470 at $46,715 and the Mercedes ML500 at $49,235 and below matching the BMW X5 4.4 at $53,445 $53,495. By selecting every option, it's possible to load the SRX up to $60,000, but few buyers are expected to do that. Standard safety features cover the gamut and consist of: dual-stage front airbags; front side seat-mounted airbags; roof-mounted side curtain airbags that cover the first and second rows of seats; anti-lock brakes; traction control; Panic Brake Assist to help during emergency braking and Dynamic Rear Brake Proportioning to regulate brake pressure for improved stopping; electronic stability control; rear parking assist; seatbelt pretensioners; the LATCH universal child safety seat system in the outboard second row positions; child security door and window locks; engine immobilizer anti-theft system; battery rundown protection; and one-year of the OnStar communications system.
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