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Saudi Woman Faces Charges For Driving During Emergency
Residents of the United States likely take their driving privileges for granted. Not so in Saudi... Read More
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If it seems like GM's product portfolio is taking aim at a certain Japanese juggernaut, well, that's no mistake. It started with the redesign of the Malibu mid-size in 2008, and it has continued with the 2010 Buick LaCrosse--aimed squarely at the Lexus ES 350--and now, the redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo, which is aimed at the 2010 Lexus RX 350.
The first-generation SRX never seemed to resonate with the public, so for the second go-round, GM has taken aim at the luxury five-seat crossover crowd. Downsized, restyled, and with reduced seating (from a max of seven to a max of five), this new SRX is meant to be more focused than the original.
The Basics
For 2010, the SRX shrinks in size by about five inches in both wheelbase and length. Engine choices consist of a 3.0-liter naturally-aspirated V-6 that makes 265 horsepower and a 2.8-liter turbocharged V-6 that makes 300 horsepower. SRX is available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive from, the turbo is only available with all-wheel drive. The sole transmission is a six-speed automatic.
My test car was a Turbo, with a base price of $51,360. Standard features included ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, 20-inch wheels, a 40-gigabyte hard drive, a navigation system, a wireless cell phone link, remote keyless entry, a sunroof, a driver's information center, satellite radio, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a USB port, an auxiliary jack, a rearview camera, an AM/FM/CD uplevel audio system, power-adjustable pedals, a power rear liftgate, a remote start, and other goodies.
Extras were limited to the $1,295 rear-seat entertainment system, which includes a dual-screen DVD with wireless headphones and a remote control. That plus the $825 destination fee totaled out to $53,480.
Performance
The SRX Turbo instantly feels sportier than the RX, although that's not saying much, considering the RX's reputation as Ambien on wheels.
That doesn't mean the SRX is simply a sports car in an SUV's body. It's quick, but it's mass hampers acceleration--it doesn't feel like a vehicle with 300 ponies under the hood. Getting deep into the turbo helps.
