New York 2012: 2013 Cadillac SRX: Comments

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

April 2, 2012

Last year, the Cadillac SRX dropped its 3.0L V6 and 2.8T V6 in favor for a 3.6L DI V6. This year, Cadillac has done refresh of the SRX's exterior and Interior in time for this weeks New York Auto Show.

Outside, the SRX gets a new grille and new front fender vents with LED light pipes. Also, the SRX gains three new paint colors and a new set of 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the SRX gains Cadillac's CUE infotainment system which integrates smartphones and other mobile devices with voice recognition and an 8-inch LCD touch-sensitive screen. Also new is two additional USB ports, an SD card slot, an auxiliary input jack, a 12-volt power outlet, new steering wheel, and a new instrument cluster.

The SRX also comes with Cadillac's new Driver Awareness and Driver Assist packages, which helps with crash avoidance by using radar, cameras, ultrasonic devices and other advanced technology.

Press Release is on Page 2

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Cadillac Enhances Technology and Design on 2013 SRX

CUE and advanced safety features complement brand’s expanding portfolio

NEW YORK – Cadillac introduces technology and design enhancements to the SRX luxury crossover SUV this week at the New York International Auto Show. Among the new features for 2013 is CUE, the in-vehicle user experience that incorporates touch-screen controls similar to the most popular mobile devices.

The 2013 SRX’s enhanced technology also contributes to safety, with Cadillac’s new Driver Awareness and Driver Assist technology packages. Their features include Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Cadillac’s Safety Alert Seat technology, Automatic Front and Rear Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control and more, using radar and other technologies to help avoid collisions.

Interior and exterior design updates further distinguish the 2013 SRX, while active noise cancelation technology helps provide a quieter driving experience. It goes on sale this fall.

“The 2013 SRX illustrates the Cadillac philosophy of never leaving well enough alone,” said Don Butler, vice president of marketing for Cadillac. “The enhancements for the SRX – including CUE – are examples of how we’re developing advanced technologies and pushing them consistently through the Cadillac portfolio. They are also some of the key elements of the all-new XTS luxury sedan and ATS compact sedan, which will expand the Cadillac portfolio this summer.”

Since its redesign in 2009, the SRX has established a strong visual signature for Cadillac in the luxury crossover segment. The 2013 SRX refines that appearance with a new design for the front upper and lower grilles that conveys greater depth and the brand’s attention to detail. The front fender vents are new and incorporate LED light pipes.

Three new exterior colors are offered: Evolution Green Metallic, Glacier Blue Metallic and Silver Coast Metallic. Also new is the SRX’s range of 20-inch wheel designs, including new chrome and polished aluminum wheels for the Performance and Premium Collections – the top two option packages.

The SRX is offered in FWD and Advanced AWD models, each powered by a 3.6L Direct Injection V-6 that was added for 2012. It is rated an SAE-certified 308 horsepower (230 kW) and 265 lb.-ft. of torque (358 Nm).

Cadillac CUE

Cadillac CUE (Cadillac User Experience) is standard on the 2013 SRX. It is the brand’s new design and technical breakthrough for intuitive in-vehicle control and connectivity.

CUE pairs entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that reduces complexity through customized information, voice commands and fewer buttons and larger icons. The comprehensive, in-vehicle experience is designed to be unique for each consumer, from the “simple user” to the fully connected “super user.”

The heart of CUE is the vibrant, eight-inch LCD multi-touch sensitive screen – with proximity sensing and haptic feedback – that is seamlessly integrated in the top of the central instrument panel. It displays CUE’s home page, which resembles a smart phone’s screen, with large, easy-to-target icons that execute commands. Capacitive technology on the screen and faceplate enables consumers to use the same “swipe,” “pinch” or “spread” gestures common to most popular smartphones and tablets.

A motorized faceplate for the system reveals a concealed storage area for smartphones or other mobile devices and includes an illuminated USB port.

Interior enhancements

CUE is the foundation for the 2013 SRX’s enhanced driving experience and is complemented with additional features and design refinements:

• Standard HD radio
  
• Bluetooth audio streaming is available for all collections
  
• A USB port in the storage bin behind the CUE faceplate
  
• The center console now features two additional USB ports, an SD card slot auxiliary input jack and 12-volt power outlet
  
• New headphone and remote design for the rear-seat entertainment system, which also includes a rear USB port and SD card slot
  
• New shift knob design
  
• New steering wheel design
  
• New instrument cluster with new driver information center for CUE integration.
  

Active noise cancellation is new for 2013 and helps create a quieter driving experience. The system uses microphones to detect ambient noise, the frequencies of which are processed by a computer that directs counteracting sound waves through the audio system to tailor the sound quality and character inside the cabin.

A new Light Titanium interior color combination is added and matched with a new Raven Sapele wood color accent.

Popular interior features returning for 2013 include keyless access, ambient lighting, power-adjustable pedals, heated front and rear outboard seats, heated steering wheel and the UltraView power sunroof.

‘Control and alert’ safety features

SRX is the latest to incorporate Cadillac’s “control and alert” strategy that employs advanced technologies – including radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors – to help prevent crashes. The safety features are part of Cadillac’s new Driver Awareness and Driver Assist technology packages.

The advanced technologies bolster driver vision and awareness of road hazards, intervening to help the driver avert potential collisions. In some cases, Cadillac’s crash-avoidance systems will act without the driver, such as automatic braking, which activates based on information indicating potential hazards.

Radar-based adaptive cruise control and front and rear automatic braking are available. Front and rear automatic braking relies on short-range radar technology and ultrasonic sensors to help the driver prevent front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary. Additional advanced safety features offered on the 2013 SRX’s Driver Awareness and Driver Assist packages include:

• Forward Collision Alert
  
• Lane Departure Warning
  
• Rear Vision Camera With Dynamic Guidelines
  
• Safety Alert Seat.
  

Side blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert are standard. Each uses radar to detect vehicles that may be out of the driver’s vision, providing visual alerts in the outside mirrors and, in the case of rear cross traffic alert, audible warnings. StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with traction control, and four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS are also standard, along with:

• Dual-stage frontal and side-impact driver and right-front passenger air bags.
  
• Head-curtain side-impact air bags.
  
• Rollover mitigation sensors.
  
• Front safety belt pretensioners and load limiters.
  

The SRX is also designed to meet European pedestrian protection standards, with the front bumper positioned for greater compatibility with car bumpers.

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[loki]

better mpg than either other engine i hope?

prospects of totally dropping the 3.0L? or will it become a turbo only engine?

will a turbo 4 cylinder replace the 3.0L in the other vehicles?

[G. David Felt]

I remember when the 2.8L Turbo's first came out and my parents test drove both the 3.0L v6 and the Turbo and said they would not consider anything but the turbo. Once that was decided, the economy took my dads job so they stayed with their 2004 SRX that I had gotten them. They recenty drove a new SRX with the 3.6L direct and said they cannot believe the difference between this engine and the old two options it replaced. The sales person said most people did not like the turbo with premium fuel and settled for the 3.0L V6 but did not really like it. The 3.6L v6 is pretty much loved by all and that customer feedback is they cannot see a weaker engine in the SRX

[hyperv6]

Based on my experience with both the 3.0 and the 3.6 is that one is good and the other is a little better just as the numbers point out. The 3.0 does a good job now in the Terrain and Nox but the added HP and more important the Torque is the key.

But what hurts these engines more than anything is the low end torque. The sweet spot of both engines is over 4,000 RPM.The 3.0 has over 200 FT LBS at right around 3,000 RPM but with the gearing in the vehicles it takes a kick down and around 4,300 to feel it pull. The engine is well able to handle the RPM but sure does not have the strong low end my HHR SS has with the Turbo 4.

The good thing is the 3.6 will not pay a penalty with less MPG.

My 3.0 is not a race car by anymeans but I have no complaints on performance as it get 4000 pounds moving well enought to do what ever is asked of it in normal daily driving.

At one time I thought the 2.0 Turbo would have been a good choice but now after some time in the Terrain I have changed my mind. The 2.0 Turbo is a good engine and very efficent as long as you are not into high boost mode all the time. I feel with these heavy vehicles they will created a issue where you would be in more boost in normal driving and negate the MPG adavantage of the small engine. There is a break even point with the small engines and heavy cars.

[Croc]

Does it now use LED taillights (in addition to the front fender LED light pipes), or did they keep the stupid incandescent ones it launched with?

[G. David Felt]

I always thought the tail lights were LED, My parents SRX taillights are LED.

[Croc]

I always thought the tail lights were LED, My parents SRX taillights are LED.

The first gen RWD SRX had LEDs, but the FWD SRX did not.

[G. David Felt]

I always thought the tail lights were LED, My parents SRX taillights are LED.

The first gen RWD SRX had LEDs, but the FWD SRX did not.

WOW, Guess the dealership I have bought all my caddy's from must bring in mostly AWD then as I have not seen anything except LED tail lights. Thanks, I did not know they had two different lenses.

[ZL-1]

Now this thing is selling like hot cakes, but I still wonder if a couple of Alpha-based CUVs (let's call them BRX and SRX) wouldn't be the best answer, product-wise, given where GM wants Cadillac to sit... Something larger than 4900mm long should retain the Escalade name, and even continue BOF as long as the Cadillac is significantly reengineered compared to the Chevrolet and GMC platform mates... If they'd want the Escalade to become unibody, then Omega should be the place to look...

[Drew Dowdell]

Well Cadillac didn't even bother covering this up with a sheet on the show floor....

[Robert Hall]

WOW, Guess the dealership I have bought all my caddy's from must bring in mostly AWD then as I have not seen anything except LED tail lights. Thanks, I did not know they had two different lenses.

Wouldn't make sense to have FWD ones on the lot in the NW...AWD makes more sense there...FWD is appropriate for the sunbelt states..

[Croc]

I always thought the tail lights were LED, My parents SRX taillights are LED.

The first gen RWD SRX had LEDs, but the FWD SRX did not.

WOW, Guess the dealership I have bought all my caddy's from must bring in mostly AWD then as I have not seen anything except LED tail lights. Thanks, I did not know they had two different lenses.

You misunderstand...let me clarify:

No LED:

LED:

Regardless of whether or not AWD was selected. Now, GM may have later added in LEDs to the 2010 design, but someone more knowledgeable than I will have to vouch for that, however, I have only seen incandescent brake lights on all the ones I've seen in the wild. I was pretty shocked, to say the least, especially because the taillights LOOK like they'd be LED, but when illuminated are clearly not.

[hyperv6]

Now this thing is selling like hot cakes, but I still wonder if a couple of Alpha-based CUVs (let's call them BRX and SRX) wouldn't be the best answer, product-wise, given where GM wants Cadillac to sit... Something larger than 4900mm long should retain the Escalade name, and even continue BOF as long as the Cadillac is significantly reengineered compared to the Chevrolet and GMC platform mates... If they'd want the Escalade to become unibody, then Omega should be the place to look...

I herard they were going to get a version of the Encore and it would be called a SUX.

I always thought the tail lights were LED, My parents SRX taillights are LED.

The first gen RWD SRX had LEDs, but the FWD SRX did not.

WOW, Guess the dealership I have bought all my caddy's from must bring in mostly AWD then as I have not seen anything except LED tail lights. Thanks, I did not know they had two different lenses.

You misunderstand...let me clarify:

No LED:

LED:

Regardless of whether or not AWD was selected. Now, GM may have later added in LEDs to the 2010 design, but someone more knowledgeable than I will have to vouch for that, however, I have only seen incandescent brake lights on all the ones I've seen in the wild. I was pretty shocked, to say the least, especially because the taillights LOOK like they'd be LED, but when illuminated are clearly not.

I got what you ment.

If there is no LED in the new version it may be their way to keep the price in line with the Lexus. They did cut the price with the newer better selling version.

[§carlet §wordfish]

These aren't LEDs? The bottom 3 slots look like a plain old light bulb, but all the slots above that look like LEDs.

[Drew Dowdell]

There are LED in the new SRX tailight... and light pipe too.

[ZL-1]

These aren't LEDs? The bottom 3 slots look like a plain old light bulb, but all the slots above that look like LEDs.

That's what they are. Turn signal in there is a normal light bulb.

[riviera74]

Has anyone noticed how bad the resale value is on 3.0 v6 SRXs are? There seems to be a fairly significant drop in those weakly-equipped crossovers. As for the 2013 model, more is better from an infotainment POV.

[Drew Dowdell]

might depend on location. last I looked, I couldn't find a used one below 29k.

[balthazar]

0.26 secs (you'll have to pause/advance it) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDDiMqNDSpc

Edited April 11, 2012 by balthazar

[G. David Felt]

Sweet Post Balthazar, that is really cool, I had no idea the headlamps followed you as you turned the steering wheel.