2009 Detroit Auto Show: 2010 Cadillac SRX
- Competes with: Acura MDX, Lexus RX, Lincoln MKX
- Looks like: Cadillac’s edgy design language at its best
- Drivetrain: 260-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 or 300-hp, turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6 with six-speed transmission; front- or all-wheel drive
- Hits dealerships: Mid-2009
We didn’t really have to imagine too hard about what the final production version of the SRX would look like. Cadillac had made it well-known that it would be nearly identical to the Provoq concept it showed at last year’s Detroit auto show, and wouldn’t you know, it does. That’s not a bad thing, as the new SRX is a handsome-looking SUV.
We’ll get into the name “SRX” and how little the new SRX shares with the old SRX, but first we have to address the new engines under the hood. There will be two distinct power plants with no differentiation in trim level. The base SRX will feature a smaller version of the V-6 engine found in the Cadillac CTS sedan. Here, the V-6 engine is 3.0 liters instead of 3.6 and will put out 260 hp instead of the 306 hp it makes in the CTS. It features direct injection and a six-speed automatic transmission to aid in fuel economy.
Optional will be an all-new 2.8-liter, turbocharged V-6 engine good for 300 hp. Why wouldn’t GM just give it the bigger V-6 from the CTS that produces 306 hp? We’re guessing it has to do with fuel economy, but at press time no mileage numbers had been provided by GM.
All-wheel drive will also be optional, and it features an electronic limited-slip differential that sends needed power to wheels on either side of the car as well as front and rear. With an optional towing package, the SRX can tow 3,500 pounds.
The interior is similar in design to the new CTS as well, with a navigation screen that rises up out of the dashboard. The top of the dash is also hand-stitched leather, a recent trend in Cadillac interiors. Bluetooth is standard, while options will include a built-in hard drive for music, a power liftgate, and a rear entertainment system featuring screens in both headrests.
The 2010 SRX rides on an entirely new platform from the current 2009 SRX and is 4.7 inches shorter but 2.5 inches wider. How does that translate to interior room? Nearly every dimension — headroom, legroom and hip room — is reduced in the new car, with the exception of shoulder room, which is up slightly. Cargo room is 29.2 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 61.2 with them down, versus 32.4 and 69.5 cubic feet in the 2009 SRX. That’s also less cargo room than the Lincoln MKX, the new Lexus RX and the Acura MDX. And there is no option for a third-row seat.
Pricing, mileage and an on-sale date that’s more concrete than “the second quarter of 2009” have not been released yet, but will prove to be mighty important in how well the SRX — no matter how good-looking it is — will do in a crowded field.
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pretty cool ... hope the handling will follow the CTS
Handstitched leather my foot. It may be stitched but it is not hand stitched. Machines probably stitch better than humans tho.
Why are you so sure that it isn't hand stitched? It's not like it's the entire car, only one part, the top dash. And maybe the stitching is better with machines, but I think when a real person does it, it gives a sense of individualization to each vehicle. Anyway, I love the interior. Looks very futuristic. I like most of the exterior, but something's weird. I can especially see it on the 3rd photo. I wish that line running across the side was just straight. To me its angled too vertically. Maybe it's just me with things being symetrical, but I hate how the exterior door handles is on one position for the front door, and a much higher position for the back. It's that line again thats doing it. But overall it's great. Can't wait to see a price.
T,
I'm with you on the door handle placement. Overall I like the look of the body but the door handle placement needs to be fixed as they look terrible.
Wow, a redesigned vehicle that got smaller instead of larger. Looks good.
It looks really good. A huge improvement over the current SRX. The only thing I don't like is the door handles, as posted above. It looks like they're angled down too.
Yeah. When cars.com did the review on the new Equinox, which the SRX shares the platform with, the pictures showed the line on the side more horizontal. And it looks much better like that.
the interior and front half look great, even the character lines coming from the gills looks good.
the rear end looks bad though..awful even...
Ooh, look at that interior! Looks like this ones going to be the most attractive Lambida easily. The mildly raised tailfin is a better attempt to be a vintage fin unlike previous ones I think.
Somehow reminded me about the X6 on the rear quarter.
I have to question GM’s decision to produce a Cadillac that is built in Mexico and uses the platform as a Saturn Vue. Why pay a premium when you can get a similar car for a lot less?
looks like a dressed up Saturn Vue
It is a dressed up Saturn Vue. Or Equinox, 9-4x, Torrent, GMC Terrain, take your pick.
I looks kind of like a Dodge Caliper to me.
WC
How could you compare this to the VUE?? Saturn makes European styled economy cars. And Cadillac makes Luxury cars. So obviously the SRX would cost more. Not at all are the new SRX and VUE related except for the platform. And you also have to bring into question if the VUE is even going to be around for the 2010 year as the discussion of Saturn being dropped from GM is being thought about.
you'd be a fool to think that a person looking at Cadillac's would even consider a Saturn. If a person is looking at the SRX, they'd also be looking at the Q5, X3, RX350, and GLK350, not some car from some economy brand like Saturn.
You'd be an even bigger fool to think that a person looking at any luxury cars cares about value in any way.
JM,
Then why dis GM bother to put a commercial about the old Equinox with the RX?
spectacular
UGLY!!! Looks like Nissan Murano. 2009 is much better. good luck with trying to sell them. :(
If you are so concerned about it being a dressed up Saturn Vue, then why are you not complaining that a Lexus RX is the same thing as the new ugly Toyota Venza. Companies need to share platforms for cost purposes, they all do it, yet you only rip on GM for doing it. How about you start supporting your own country and industry instead of giving a Japanese company praise, when they do not even let us sell American cars in their country.