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Cadillac Rolls Out Second-Generation SRX Crossover
Aug 19 2009 by Lori Hindman
If you think the world of luxury crossovers is crowded, just wait until September when the redesigned Cadillac SRX hits dealerships. For 2010, Caddy has redesigned this crossover from the ground up.
The SRX used to be a long, wagon-like crossover with an optional third row. This new incarnation is wider and shorter, which gives it more stability and room in the second row; the optional third row is no longer available in the 2010. The SRX’s new look eliminates any lingering wagon images; it’s become a bolder, more aggressive crossover. You won’t recognize it, or at least I didn’t. I mean that in a good way, because the new SRX is a hot, young-looking vehicle.
Aside from its good looks, there are plenty of other improvements in the 2010 SRX. The center stack is streamlined and includes a pop-up navigation screen. There are storage cubbies everywhere, and they seem well-planned, with dual-level door bins and underfloor storage in the cargo area. There’s also a rail system that creates rigid compartments in the cargo area. It sounds cool, doesn’t it? Another cool feature is the SRX’s glove compartment; it’s literally cooled.
Cadillac has cut back on the use of chintzy-looking plastic trim in the interior; the surfaces are now much nicer to the touch. The rear entertainment system’s screens pop out of the driver’s and front passenger’s seatbacks when in use. It’s completely out of the way the rest of the time. My favorite part of the interior is the massive panoramic moonroof. It lets in all the sunlight you could ever ask for without actually taking the roof off. Love it!
I spent a couple of hours driving the new SRX on the curvy roads of the Santa Monica Mountains in California. I had fun (responsibly and legally, of course), but I wasn’t blown away by the SRX’s V-6 engine. The SRX also has an optional turbocharged V-6, but it wasn’t available at this event. The crossover’s handling was impressive, and it was game for anything I threw at it. As always, the ride in a Cadillac is soft like butter, but the SRX’s isn’t obnoxiously squishy.
The backseat legroom is sizable, but it looks to me like a rear-facing infant-safety seat could get a little squeezed back there. That’s just one of the things that MotherProof.com reviewers will test when we get the all-new 2010 SRX for a full-length review.
SRX is really good for moms with older kids…. make sure you check out (1)the rear seatbelt indicator display shown in the full-color Driver Information Center - it lets you know when belts have been buckled, and warns you if they are unbuckled, (2) eletronic child locks for the rear doors - a button on the dashboard enables/disables the rear doors, pefect if you want total control, or if you forget and want to let adults out.