Up Close: 2010 Cadillac SRX
The first-generation Cadillac SRX didn't knock me out. It was a little like the first-generation CTS sedan in that its styling was the right idea, but it looked unfinished — like someone needed to take a file to it and smooth it out. Lo and behold, Cadillac filed away at the CTS a couple years ago, and now it's followed up with the 2010 SRX, which is the company's five-seat crossover SUV.
It has a bold but refined appearance that looks like a larger, exaggerated CTS Sport Wagon. The roofline slopes downward as the beltline rises, resulting in side windows that narrow to a squint by the time they end at the D-pillars. And here's where you'll find the most controversial element: taillights that rise in a peak to form little tailfins.
Cadillac has used vertical taillights for decades as an homage to the old tail-finned designs of the 1950s and beyond, but these things really are little three-dimensional fins. How much they blend in or stick out depends on the paint color. More of a concern are the red borders that encircle the taillight lenses; they just don't look like they belong.
The interior is as big a jump from the previous generation as the current CTS' was. The SRX's styling now emulates the sedan's, complete with an LCD navigation touch-screen that rises from the dashboard. The materials are much improved, and the gauge lighting is top-notch. They have a glow similar to the Timex Indiglo technology that has appeared in some cars, but less … cheap-looking, really. The illuminated logos in the front doorsill plates look terrific. It's something we've seen before, but it's particularly classy when applied to the script Cadillac name rather than the usual blocky text.
For a new model, the SRX's backseat is a little disappointing. With the driver's seat all the way back (and to be fair, that's pretty far back), I found the legroom rather tight behind it. At 6 feet tall, I also found little headroom to spare with the large panoramic moonroof. The seats back there don't adjust forward and back, which would add some flexibility. And while the split-folding backrests recline, there's no easily reached lever or strap to release them. You have to twist around and pull the handle atop the backrest. It's hard to tell in a dark auto show area, but the squinty side windows didn't bother me much.
The cargo area is flat and about hip high. You definitely pay for the model's sleek styling when it comes to cargo volume behind the backseat. Still, even though the new SRX is a bit smaller and shorter on the outside than the previous one, Cadillac says, it gains a little interior space. This is a whole new platform offering front- or all-wheel drive rather than the first generation's rear-drive platform, derived straight from the CTS. This new one, combined with 3.6-liter and turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6 engines, should help boost the mpg, too. Cadillac predicts mileage as high as the mid-20s in highway driving. The current model tops out at 23 mpg. Cadillac says the price should be the same as the 2009, or perhaps even lower.
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Is there still an option for a third row of seats?
Is there still an option for a third row of seats?
nope no third row. Sorry. You'd be stuck with the Escalade or Buick Enclave.
NO third row seats its too small.
Also, I doubt interior is a major step forward because the current SRX has a nice interior. I think Joe is comparing this to the original 2004 interior. It was heavily revised for 2007 and was the first Caddy to get stitching on the dash. Very nice looking and high quality.
This model isnt going to match the seat room of the current one because its smaller and aimed a different competitors. This is aimed at the X3 and Q5, not larger 7 seaters.
The 2010 SRX is much better than the old model the interior is a step up from the refreshed interior in the current model which includes the center console, pop up navagation system and yes the stitching. The new SRX is smaller and is compatition with the Lexus RX, Mercedes Benz ML and the Infiniti FX which have no third row seat.
They turned n award winning RWD crossover into a bland Saturn Vue clone. And yet the price is going to be the same as the old one. That's progress? Good luck Caddy, you're gonna need a lot of it if you expect to call this a legitimate replacement.
YOING,
Its smaller to compete with X3 and Q5 and RX. Also its not a rebaged Vue. Its on a unique platform that combined components of the Vue and Lacrosse platforms. The current model may have won awards but it didnt sell.
No its a clone of the Equinox.
And both the SRX and Vue are built on the Theta platform.
Right, but it has been modified. I mean they made it .006 inches longer and wider, so it in no way can be the same platform.
Belly, please identify which parts are shared with the Equinox. Do you consider the RX a clone of the Highlander which in turn is a clone of the Camry? Do you consider the MDX a clone of the Pilot which in turn is a clone of the Accord?
And to the immature brat who keeps posting comments using Sheth's name...you can stop now.
To sheth (without the name posted), the Equinox and the SRX share the same structure underneath the sheetmetal, got it? You are the jackass who thinks you know everything about platforms. It is the same platform.
The platform confusion may be coming from GM who keeps saying it is not an identical platform but with some shared parts. We are working on a story about this as it is confusing to journalists too. They are moving away from the greek terms too.
Hah, I am sheth, you would know that you non nameable fool! But just to add a little bit to the discussion, why do any of you think that GM wouldn't use it most famous method of cost cutting now when it is in its most dire straights? That is not to say that this won't be GM's best car ever, but shut up about knowing anything about just because you saw a picture about it.
Shet, Sheth, anonymous, whatever, you are an absolute idiot.
I'd love to get a real automotive design engineer on here and school you on what a platform is (and no that doesn't include using the same structure beneath the sheetmetal because the sheetmetal is the structure) but frankly keep believing what you want to believe.
Platform, schmatform. It's gonna deeply cut into Lexus Rx350, because it looks better, has better mileage and is made better, baby!!
Belly,
First of all a "clone" would be an identical vehicle with different badging. Unless you are Stevie Wonder you know the Equninox is not a clone of the SRX. Furthermore the SRX shares its platform with the 9-4x- if that vehicle goes into production. This has been documented on other sites. It has components from Theta (or whatever it's called) and Epsilon2 platform. Even if it was solely on Theta it would be foolish to call this a clone of the Nox.
I believe I read last year some of the suspension and the AWD system come from Epsilon II. Also push button start and other features which Theta doesn't have.
Check out this link:
http://blogs.automobilemag.com/6437007/auto-shows/detroit-2009-2010-cadillac-srx/index.html
Ralph,
good point about the AWD system- its from the 9-3 and its not offered on Vue or Nox. SRX also offers variable suspension which the Chevy lacks. These two vehicles are less closely related than the camry is to the ES350 or the Highlander is to the RX350.
You said rear legroom is a little tight, but is the seat comfortable? Current Equinox rear seats are roomy but horrible--hard, flat bottom, vertical back. This one looks better, but is it? And is it split-folding?
OS,
Except we talked to a number of GM people and some said it was different, some said it shared theta etc. After the Beat/Spark issues I have little faith in the Automobile report. Not that they're inaccurate just because I think the PR teams are told to say it is new/different even if it isn't.
The thing people don't get is that a platform has a lot of parts. Not all of them can be shared regardless. What a common platform does it limit development costs and build a variety of very different vehicles at a lower cost.
DT,
Personally I dont really care which platform its on since I like it either way. Info I've read suggests its a hybrid but that may not be true. One thing is for sure, its no clone of the Equninox. If it shares most components with that vehicles its still not a big deal since the Escalade is a heavily modified Tahoe and costs far more than the SRX will cost.
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