Review
The 2011 Cadillac SRX will see few changes for the new model year, after
seeing a complete redesign for 2010. This vehicle, and the 2010 model, seats
only five people, while the 2009 model was able to fit a third row in. It will
be available in either front or all-wheel drive, and will most likely be offered
in four different trim levels. While the 2011 year is expected to be a
carryover, there could be a few changes to trim levels. This car review will
detail what the new vehicle has in terms of performance and features, among
others:
2011 Cadillac SRX Specifications
In the ultra-crowded luxury crossover SUV category, the 2011 Cadillac SRX
falls squarely in the middle. On the one hand, its starting MSRP is right around
$34K, which isn?t outrageous. On the other, its base 3.0-liter V6 engine leaves
a lot to be desired. By upgrading to the optional turbocharged V6, drivers have
to fork over a lot more cash. However, the SRX is available in front-wheel drive
and all-wheel drive, which is sure to be appreciated by many drivers. Special
tuning and other features help improve the drive quality of the Cadillac SRX,
but it may not be enough to stand apart from the competition.
Here are the specifications we know at this point about the 2011 Cadillac
SRX:
- Pricing: car pricing is likely to go up a little bit from
the 2010 model year price, which is currently $33,830
- Fuel economy: should maintain a fuel economy of 18 mpg
city/25 mpg highway for the base model in front-wheel drive
- Engines: 3.0-liter, 265 horsepower V6; turbocharged
2.80-liter, 295 hp V6
- Acceleration: base model?s 0 to 60 mph time is about 8.2
seconds
- Car safety features: antilock brakes, OnStar, stability
control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags
- Suspension: regular suspension tuning with struts in the
front and multilink suspension in the back
- Warranty: four-year/50,000 mile basic warranty;
five-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty; six-year/100,000 miles corrosion
coverage; five-years/100,000 miles roadside assistance
Exterior Features
The exterior of the 2011 Cadillac SRX is not likely to change much from the
previous year. Its styling is aggressive; some like it, some do not. Base
features should include dual power remote, heated side mirrors, roof rails, a
rear step bumper, daytime running lights, and halogen headlights. Higher level
trims and options should feature rain sensing windshield wipers, a panoramic
sunroof, a power liftgate, xenon headlights with washers, parking sensors, and
fog lamps.
Interior Features
The interior of the 2011 Cadillac SRX is likely to retain many of the
features from the previous model. For most drivers, the interior of the 2011
Cadillac SRX is bound to be its chief selling point. It is bursting at its seams
with high-quality materials and exceptional build quality. Optional features,
like the UltraView sunroof, definitely up the ante. The buttons along the center
stack can be a tad confusing, but most people will grow accustomed to them. A
height-adjustable power tailgate is a very useful feature. The backseat is as
sumptuously comfortable as the front ones, except that taller passengers may not
have quite enough headroom. Maximum cargo capacity is 61 cubic feet, which is
middle-of-the-road for this class. The vehicle seats five; the seats are
comfortable and there is plenty of head and leg room in the back. The cargo
space is not likely to be as large as some of the other vehicles, but there is a
cargo management system that is useful to many. The base model has standard
features like a powered driver?s seat, two zones of automatic temperature
control, a Bose audio system, and a CD player with an audio jack and satellite
radio. Higher trims and options are likely to include driver seat memory, heated
leather seats, Bluetooth compatibility, a backup camera, an upgraded stereo, and
a navigation system.
Under the Hood
The 2011 Cadillac SRX boasts a much-ballyhooed rear eLSD that provides
enhanced traction control by not only supplying torque from the front axles to
the rear ones, but by distributing along the rear axle as well. To be sure, this
is sure to be appreciated, especially by drivers in areas that regularly
experience inclement weather. The base 3.0-liter V6 direct-injection engine gets
260 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque; the turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 gets
300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A Hydra-Matic 6T70 6-speed
automatic transmission is the only one available.