The sporty new Cadillac SRX, a crossover SUV constructed on a car chassis, appears to be a solid proposition. To this eye, it wears Cadillac’s edgy styling better than others vehicles in the lineup. The suspension is tuned for aggressive driving and the top engine is a lusty 320-horspower version of Cadillac’s Northstar V-8. The base MSRP for the V-6 model is set at $38,690, but expect to pay nearly $60,000 for a loaded all-wheel-drive model with the V-8 engine and all of the goodies.

The SRX is perhaps the most impressive contemporary vehicle produced by General Motors and indicates that the company is capable of building highly competitive vehicles if the price point is right, meaning high enough. The vehicle appears to compete well with the best from Europe and Japan. 

It doesn’t seem so long ago that Cadillac was the number one luxury car in the US in terms of sales. Even though many of us could see that the company was steaming for the rocks, Cadillac officials would always point to its sales and say, we’re still number one. But years of mediocre product and the onslaught of German, Swedish and Japanese brands ultimately reduced Cadillac to an also-ran status.

About four or five years ago, Cadillac finally began to put its house in order. It developed an edgy styling vocabulary and began to emphasize performance. It also dove head first into the SUV pool with three full-sized models in the Escalade family, all built on GM’s full-size truck platform. And things are moving forward. Cadillac appears on track to sell more than 200,000 vehicles in 2003, its best year in a decade. The SRX should help build volume. The question at this point is if the SRX will steal sales from the Escalade—the new model is far better adapted for the needs of most luxury buyers. 

The SRX really benefits from the fact that it is a clean-sheet-of-paper project. There are very few compromises in the design and execution of the SRX. Design is extremely important in the luxury market and the SRX looks great. To this point I have not been kind to Cadillac’s new styling mantra as it relates to the CTS sedan. But the same flat surfaces, stacked headlights and sharp creases expressed on the SRX work. You expect a sport-utility to be somewhat boxy. The interior also is a fresh interpretation for Cadillac. The interior is understated and elegant with a center console that cants toward the driver. The SRX seats up to seven with the optional third row installed. However, this is a mid-sized vehicle and seating in the second and third row was not developed for linebackers.

The SRX is based on General Motors’ new Sigma auto platform that will also be the underpinnings of the 2005 Cadillac STS high-performance sedan. The goal is a stiff chassis that is responsive and delivers class-leading vehicle dynamics, particularly precise handling. This is accomplished through balanced front-to-back weight distribution and a low center of gravity. I’d definitely rate the SRX as one of the best-handling vehicles in its segment—in the same league as the Infiniti FX45 and the BMW X5. 

The SRX is available as 4.6-liter V-8 or a 3.6-liter V-6, deploying five-speed automatic transmissions. A buyer has the choice of rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. The V-8 engine packs a huge punch at any speed I would care to drive. Furthermore it accomplishes this task without undue harshness or vibration. 
General Motors StabiliTrac yaw-control technology will be an asset on wet or slipper roads. If the car begins to swerve on a slippery surface, the system provides precise braking or power modifications to bring the vehicle back into line avoid a skid. Cadillac’s innovative new magnetic ride control is billed as the fastest-reacting suspension in the industry. It provides real-time response to road conditions. The SRX also features all-aluminum suspension components, which reduce unsprung weight and enable the components to react faster and step lightly over road imperfections to deliver the best ride quality of any SUV on the road. Tuned for sports sedan responsiveness, the set up should please even the fussiest driver and brings a new level of sophistication to the Cadillac line.
 

Vehicle: Cadillac SRX 
Price as tested: $58,140
Engine:
Type: 4.6-liter V-8
Horsepower: 320 @ 6,400 rpm
Torque: 315-ft. lbs. @ 4.400 rpm
Fuel economy, automatic transmission 
City - 15 mpg
Highway - 20 mpg
Curb Weight: 4,442 lbs.