I’m driving a 2010 Cadillac SRX over the Xmas holiday and thus far it has proved to be a good, if not excellent, package. I am piloting the SRX Premium FWD which is essentially loaded. The only options are AWD and the yet-to-be released 2.8L V6 Turbo engine. It is a strikingly good looking package that hits the crossroads of distinctive and luxurious. In my opinion, it is the best looking iteration of Cadillac’s design theme.
If Cadillac’s goal is to get Gen-Y excited about their brand, it seems to be working. My very tough-to-please 20-year-old niece fell in love with the SRX and even my 17-year-old nephew found it to be “pretty cool”. At a holiday party, the young car geeks in the crowd spent time in it and returned to announce that the “interior is rad and it is hot looking luxury”. Features like the navigation screen that rises out of the dash, heated rear seats and integrated rear entertainment system have gotten kudos from all who have ridden it the SRX.
The biggest complaint so far have been the driving dynamics. Much has been written by my automotive journalist colleagues about the lack of power and relative heft of the SRX. Cadillac has responded saying that the majority of their target market will be satisfied with the 265 HP 3.0 V6 engine and will especially enjoy the estimated 25 MPG on the highway for FWD versions. I have no complaint with the power train. It is more than adequate for the people that the SRX was designed for. If you want a sportier driving experience, there are other products in the Cadillac portfolio (CTS Wagon for example) that are more fun to drive and carry equal amounts of people and cargo.
My issue in the first few days has been ride quality; more specifically the level of harshness transmitted to the cabin and the accompanying rattle from the sunroof or hatch (I haven’t isolated it yet). The Premium trim level is equipped with 20″ wheels which are certainly partially to blame. The roads here in Northern NJ also leave a lot to be desired. So, I am embarking on a road trip to test the SRX. I’ll be tweeting along the way and they will be captured below. Look for my final words in a day or two. If you want to follow me on Twitter, you can do so HERE.