Full Review: 2011 Cadillac SRX 3.0 and SRX 2.8 Turbo

[Drew Dowdell]

<h3 style="text-align: center;"><big><big>Premium Blend</big></big></h3>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">2011 Cadillac SRX 3.0 and SRX 2.8 Turbo

Premium Edition</h3>

<div style="text-align: center;"><img

style="width: 490px; height: 367px;"

alt="2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo Grill"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/1293978560/gallery_62_338026.png"><br>

</div>

<br>

February 14th, 2011 - Drew Dowdell - CheersandGears.com<br>

<br>

Gallery: 2011 Cadillac SRX 2.8 Turbo Premium Edition

<br><br>

The original Cadillac SRX was released for the 2004 model year based on

the rear wheel drive Sigma platform that underpinned the CTS and STS.

It was generally well accepted by the enthusiast community for being

one of the best handling mid-size luxury crossover vehicles available

at the time. However, some of the interior and exterior design left

people cold, and if you were like 90% of buyers out there, looks are

more important than handling. It was available in a wide variaty of

configurations with AWD or RWD, V6 or V8, and 2-row or 3-row seating

available.  Despite a very worthy interior update in 2007 and

continued dominance in performance and handling reviews, SRX sales

never really took off.<br>

<br>

For 2010, Cadillac re-evaluated the SRX's mission. Instead of aiming

for a true performance machine, Cadillac aimed square for the heart of

the market: the Lexus RX350. Lexus has dominated the entry luxury

crossover market since it's introduction of the RX300 in 1999. With the

2010 SRX, Cadillac hopes to change that.  <br>

<br>

<h4><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Two Sides</span></h4>

The Lexus RX provides a very comfortable, soft cabin and a compliant

ride, that while competent, doesn't inspire anything along the lines of

sporty driving. <br>

<br>

The current performance crossover king is generally considered to be

the rear wheel drive based BMW X3. This would be the crossover you

would take on a trip carving through the mountains. However, the ride

of the X3 (note, I've only driven the first generation, the new model

is hitting dealerships now) is terrible. It is NOT a vehicle you would

want to spend any length of time in over rough roads or a highway with

expansion joints.<br>

<br>

Aiming for the Lexus RX350 required an architecture change on

Cadillac's part. Instead of the RWD Sigma platform used in the first

SRX, Cadillac opted for a FWD based platform that is a melding of the

Theta chassis used for the Chevrolet Equinox and the Epsilon chassis

used in the Buick Lacrosse. This change caused much gnashing of teeth

amongst the enthusiast community who complained that Cadillac was

giving up on it's performance advantage by switching to a front wheel

drive platform. As we'll discuss later, much of this complaining was

for naught. <br>

<br>

The target buyer for this class of vehicle however, doesn't care which

wheels move the car, and since most of them are sold in all wheel drive

format, <img style="width: 341px; height: 256px;"

alt="2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo rear"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/1293978560/gallery_62_96215.png"

align="right">having the assurance that all wheels are driving the car

is enough for them. Clearly the change in primary drive wheels hasn't

dissuaded customers. The 2010 SRX sold 51,094 units for the year and

sales continue to grow at 25% - 30% month over month. A substantial

increase over the rather meager 20,237 and 16,156 units Cadillac moved

in 2009 and 2008 respectively.  My contact at Cadillac

Communications informs me that about 50% of 2011 SRX buyers come from

another brand. This kind of sales performance has allowed the SRX to leapfrog from around 7th in the segment to take the number 2 sales slot in entry level luxury crossovers.<br>

<br>

<br>

<h4><span style="font-weight: bold;">Premium Blend</span></h4>

The 2011 SRX, mostly unchanged from 2010, manages to be both a great

handling vehicle and one that is plenty comfortable for long distance

use. This is the sweet spot of the luxury crossover segment. Having

performance abilities that most of the buying public doesn't even have

the ability to use, yet not punishing the driver and passengers with a

harsh ride over less than optimal road conditions.  It aims for

the best of both worlds and hits the mark squarely. <br>

<br>

The base SRX is powered by GM's 3.0 litre direct injected V6 making 265

horsepower and 223 lb-ft of torque and power is sent to the wheels

through a GM Hydromatic 6-speed automatic. The good folks at Baierl

Cadillac in Wexford, PA allowed me a short evaluation drive in a 3.0

powered SRX. Transmission shifts are smooth, if a bit frequent.

However, in 3 litre guise, the SRX is outclassed in horsepower and

torque by the likes of the Lexus RX350, Acura MDX, and Lincoln MKX

which all offer substantially more torque at lower RPM.  Fuel

economy is a class competitive 17 mpg city and 23mpg highway for the

AWD model. Having more torque at lower RPM allows the transmission to

shift less frequently. Still, unless you're planning on racing your SRX

for pink slips, the 3 litre will be sufficient for 90% of buyers. A

fact which is born out by the sales numbers. Nearly 90% of SRX customer

opt for the 3.0 SRX.<br>

<br>

For the full evaluation, Cadillac sent me a 2011 SRX Turbo AWD Premium

edition. This loaded up model crested $56,000 with things like

trailering provisions, rear seat entertainment system, premium paint,

cross rails for the roof rack and other such baubles. <br>

<br>

The Turbo model is a 300 horsepower 2.8 litre turbocharged V6 fed

through an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission and providing a healthy

295 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm. The engine drinks premium gas at a V8

like 15 city and 22 highway. If this powertrain sounds interesting to

you, call your local Cadillac dealer right now. Over the weekend during

my evaluation of the SRX Turbo, citing the 90% take rate on the 3.0 V6,

Cadillac confirmed that the 2.8 Turbo is no longer going to be offered

in the SRX.  <br>

<br>

<img style="width: 459px; height: 342px;"

alt="2011 Cadillac SRX 2.8 Turbo engine"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/1293978560/gallery_62_606712.png"

align="left">In my view, the 2.8T is really not suited for this

application. It has better power than the 3.0 liter, but the fuel

economy suffers too much. Even in around town driving, your foot is

into the turbo too often to reap the fuel economy rewards of the

relatively small displacement. We feel that GM's own 3.6 liter direct

injected V6, which has the same external dimensions as the 3.0 liter

would be a better alternative. <br>

<br>

What I did like was the Aisin 6-speed auto that comes with the 2.8T.

This transmission technically has 4 modes of operation; Normal, Sport,

Manu-Matic, and Eco. "Normal" is where most people will keep things and

the transmission is quite happy to give a spirited around town

experience. Sport mode allows the SRX to hold a gear longer and gives

much crisper shift points. In our acceleration runs, sport mode felt

faster using our patented kiester meter. Eco mode is just a green way

of saying "lug the engine". It makes the transmission quick to upshift

and reluctant to downshift. While it does seem to have some positive

effect on the city fuel economy, it has a negative effect on

drivability and harshness of the engine. Pulling up hill at lower city

speeds causes the engine to vibrate in a very un-Cadillac like manner

and in this car was enough to jingle some change in the cup

holder.  Unless you're trying to hyper-mile your 300 horsepower

crossover, just leave this off. <br>

<br>

The engine speeds at vehicle speeds are as follows:<br>

RPM @ 45mph - Eco Mode - 1,250; Normal Mode - 1,250; Sport Mode - 1,600<br>

RPM @ 70mph - All modes - 2,000 rpm<br>

<br>

<h4><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exterior</span></h4>

<img style="width: 339px; height: 255px;"

alt="2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo front"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/1292458660/gallery_51_62_348658.png"

align="right"><br>

Our Black Ice Metalic SRX came with 20" painted alloy wheels looking

sharp and handsome. The tall upright grill evokes the the prow of an

ocean liner and is finished on either side with detailed headlamp

clusters containing adaptive headlights that turn as you turn the

wheel. This feature is being made on more and more GM vehicles and I

feel is an important safety upgrade.<br>

<br>

In the rear, Cadillac has brought back a hint of the fin to top off

their characteristic tall and narrow tail lights.  Viewed from any

angle, and there is no mistaking this crossover for anything but a

Cadillac.<br>

<br>

<h4><span style="font-weight: bold;">Interior</span></h4>

The driver of the SRX is clearly the priority here. The driver seat is

perfectly contoured for long distance driving and offers a wide range

of adjustments for any body type. The real treat is the extended thigh

support that you can pull out for even more leg support. The front

passenger seat is almost as good, lacking only the extended thigh

support. Rear seats are usable for average sized adults, but taller

folks will probably wish for some more legroom.<br>

<br>

Unlike the previous SRX, the current model doesn't offer a 3rd row

seat, quite frankly because there is no way it would fit back there.

Cargo volume is good but not huge. Liftover seems on the high side.

Cadillac offers an innovative rails and brace system that allows you to

secure your cargo to prevent it from flopping around in the back. <br>

<br>

<img style="width: 294px; height: 220px;"

alt="2011 Cadillac SRX Interior"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/1293978560/gallery_62_726448.png"

align="left">A cursory scan across the controls may look a bit

overwhelming with all of the buttons, but things are laid out in a

logical fashion. One thing I particularly like are the separated HVAC

controls for driver and passenger. <br>

<br>

The NAV system has a pop up screen that raises out of the center of the

dash. It's easy to navigate menus, but the reach to press buttons on

the screen is a bit far. You can save your reach by using OnStar's

voice response system to download your destination into the NAV. <br>

<br>

Fit and finish is excellent with one questionable gap between each

outboard HVAC vent and the corresponding door. However, the Cadillac

CTS shares this gap despite being on a different platform, which leads

me to believe it is intentional. <br>

<br>

<h4><br>

<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></h4>

<h4><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Drive</span></h4>

The SRX fits the definition of the word "Crossover" better than most

vehicles brandishing the title. You sit higher than a typical sedan,

but lower then all trucks and most other crossovers. The 2004 Honda

CR-V that normally shares my driveway feels much higher and upright

than the Cadillac in spite of their similar dimensions. <br>

<br>

Having this lower-than-a-Kennworth feel really aids in handling.

Cornering is sharp on the 20" rims and body roll is minimal even by

sedan standards. In fact, once you are inside and underway, all notions

that this is a sport utility vehicle evaporate and you feel as if you are

behind the wheel of a performance sedan.<br>

<br>

Despite it's athleticism, the SRX doesn't beat you up on long drives.

Assisted by the extremely comfortable driver seat mentioned earlier,

the suspension tuning is such that road imperfections are distant

sounds... perhaps tire slap from some other unfortunate soul driving a

lesser vehicle near you. <br>

<br>

<h4><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overall</span></h4>

The 2011 Cadillac SRX should be on anyone's test drive list who is in

the market for a premium crossover as long as 3rd row seating isn't a

priority. The SRX manages to be many vehicles in one by combining great

handling, excellent comfort, and useful utility all in one vehicle. <br>

<br>

What happens next with the engines is anyone's guess. There are rumors

of both the 3.6 Direct Injected V6 and some version of GM's eAssist

making an appearance in the future, but with 90% of buyers already

opting for the 3.0 liter and sales increasing at a rapid pace, I'm not

sure either will do anything to boost sales that weren't going to

happen anyway. Not a bad position for Cadillac to be in.<br>

<br>

<br>

2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo video walk around:<br>

[regfootball]

nice review. i'm amazed at how well it sells around here actually.

[b4z]

Nice review. I think we are going to see big sales for Cadillac again in february. My dealer's inventory has really shrunk.

Now that the 3.6L is confirmed for 2012 they really shouldn't be a reason for someone who is thinking about an SRX to not buy.

I do think the rear legroom could have been better but that was a wheel base and size choice for Cadillac.

Wonder if the 3.6L will offer more than 304hp or if the new designation is just for E85?

[Drew Dowdell]

Agreed. People are already buying it in droves with the 3.0. No reason for them not to with the 3.6.

While there will be the new higher output 3.6 to replace the Turbo, a "base" 3.6 will be available in a tune similar to what the Enclave gets of around 275 hp.To me that makes a lot more sense in the lineup.... simpiler with two 3.6es in two performance options.

[smk4565]

Both engines are bad, they should make all SRX's have the 3.6 liter V6, the 288 hp version from the Lambdas would work well, if the CTS's 304 hp version is only for rear drive or has too much torque steer. The 3.6 would give the SRX the power advantage over the rest of the class. If they need an Eco version, a turbo 4 with a hybrid or something could work, it would be slow, but the ecomentalists like slow cars with good economy.

[Drew Dowdell]

The 3.0 isn't bad. It's just not class leading. It has more than enough scoot to get people around town.