2010 Cadillac SRX Review

On sports shows, you hear all the time about players or teams who are "underrated" or "overlooked." In the automotive world, we'd probably use the same terms to describe the Cadillac SRX. Even though we have thought pretty highly of it through the years, consumers were never particularly smitten. Sales, at least from Cadillac's perspective, were disappointing. So for 2010, Caddy is trying again with a fully redesigned SRX.

The 2010 SRX game plan is a fresh idea for Cadillac: a smallish luxury crossover that will do battle with similar models from Audi, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, among others. The SRX has the expected roster of premium equipment, and for better or worse, it's got the full Cadillac styling treatment, too. The question is whether it has enough tricks up its sleeve to keep pace with the European and Japanese competition.

The outgoing 2009 SRX was a decidedly different animal: Its midsize body was attached to the first-generation CTS's rear-wheel-drive platform, and it featured options like a V8 and a third-row seat. For the relatively compact 2010 Cadillac SRX, model, all of that's been brushed away in favor of a new five-passenger platform that utilizes front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The wagonlike look of the old model is gone, too, replaced by a new Escalade-like front end and distinctive finned taillights.

In keeping with the standards of this segment, the base engine is a direct-injected 3.0-liter V6. For more power, Cadillac is also offering a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 on the higher trim levels. The SRX also comes with a bevy of standard and optional luxury features, such as LED accent lights, adaptive shock absorbers, a hard-drive-based navigation system, a surround-sound audio system, heated and ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof.

These features, plus a high-quality and sharp-looking interior, would seem to help the latest SRX become a perfectly viable small luxury crossover. However, the SRX is beefy -- its base curb weight is about 4,200 pounds -- and the 3.0-liter V6 struggles to keep up. The available Saab-sourced turbo V6 makes the SRX more competitive, but opting for it sends the SRX's price skyrocketing. There are other issues as well, such as poor outward visibility and lackluster driving dynamics on the lower trim levels.

Competing models include the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Lexus RX 350, Mercedes-Benz GLK350 and Volvo XC60. These vehicles have stylish interiors as well, and they typically offer better powertrains and more satisfying driving experiences. That said, we can't give much of a recommendation to the 2010 Cadillac SRX -- it just might be a little overrated.

For Pricing information, see our Pricing page.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Cadillac SRX is a luxury crossover SUV available in four trim levels: base, Luxury Collection, Performance Collection and Premium Collection.

Even the base model features a solid roster of standard equipment, including 18-inch alloy wheels, an electronic parking brake, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat, 60/40-split-folding and reclining rear seatbacks, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear climate vents with separate fan control, and an eight-speaker Bose sound system with a CD player, USB jack and satellite radio.