Cadillac SRX continues to Please Buyers / Owners

Regular Readers know I am a fan of the 2010 Cadillac SRX.  I had been fairly ho-hum on the new model, but after driving one on a weekend test drive I found it to be a terrific vehicle.  Terrific to the point that it is almost my favorite current Cadillac.  I am still a big fan of any V-Series model, then the CTS Sedan Premium Model, but the SRX is almost in a dead heat.  It is that good a Crossover.

Now, the previous model SRX, made from 2004-2009 was also a fine automobile.  It was based on the CTS Generation 1 Sigma chassis, RWD or AWD, and more of a tall station wagon type of vehicle.  It could seat 7, and is selling quite well in the used vehicle market.  So no complaints about the ‘original’, 1st generation SRX.  But the current SRX model is well thought out, capable, and refined.   It has a lot of personality, and it is clear when you spend some time in one why it has been a very popular seller — currently leading Cadillac sales for all models, as well as doing very well in its segment in general against all competitors.

2010 SRX Has Largest Gains In Sales And Residual Value In Segment

Sales up 493 percent, projected resale value up 17 percentage points

DETROIT – Since its debut last year, the all-new 2010 Cadillac SRX has posted the largest gains in its segment for both sales and projected resale value, establishing SRX as a leader among mid-size luxury crossovers.

SRX total U.S. sales through May have risen almost 500 percent, compared to the first five months of last year, outselling the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Acura MDX. The average transaction price for the new SRX is more than $2,300 higher than the previous model.

Along with the sales and transaction price increases, SRX’s projected resale value has risen 17 percentage points in the past year, the largest gain in its segment. SRX’s projected resale value after 36 months is 48 percent of the initial purchase price, compared to 31 percent for the previous model, according to the May/June forecast by ALG, an industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data.

“Cadillac has done all the right things to support higher residual values for the SRX,” said Matt Traylen, ALG’s Chief Economist. “The all new 2010 model is substantially improved, but was launched with a significantly reduced MSRP. This resulted in record low incentive spending for the SRX, lower reliance on fleet sales, a quicker turn time on dealer lots and ultimately a positive impact on brand value.”

The SRX has remained in high demand since its launch last summer, said Kurt McNeil, vice president of Cadillac sales. The 2010 SRX delivered bold design to the fast-growing mid-size luxury crossover segment, he said.

“Residual value is a key indicator of the strength of the new SRX,” McNeil said. “SRX has succeeded by offering distinctive styling, great handling and a host of features that help it stand out in the luxury crossover crowd.”

Offered in all-wheel and front-wheel drive versions, SRX comes standard with a 3.0L direct injected V-6 engine. It has an optional 2.8L turbocharged V-6. SRX’s available features include a cargo management system, pop-up navigation screen, adaptive forward lighting that swivels the headlamps in synch with vehicle steering, integrated hard drive for audio storage and pause-and-replay radio and a dual-screen system for rear entertainment.

2010 Cadillac SRX Test Drive — Luxuriant Space, Efficiently Used

I have a 2010 Cadillac SRX 3.0L Premium Crossover from Crest Cadillac in Plano for a weekend test drive review.  You can find all of my Test Drive reports tagged Test Drive.  All articles regarding the SRX can be found in the SRX category.

The SRX is a larger Crossover inside than you might judge from the outside.  It gets great gas mileage and is a very good size for getting around or parking; it is about the perfect size for a daily driver.  It has plentiful seating room for 4 or 5, and has good space behind the rear seats for groceries, baggage, whatever.

2010 Cadillac SRX inviting front seat room

The interior styling is well done, and consistent with the exterior styling.   My Wife and I both found the seats comfortable.  My Brother had good space in the rear seats, and this makes a good vehicle to carry 4 or 5 adults.

The steering wheel has tilt and telescope, and the gas/brake pedals are adjustable for height.

2010 Cadillac SRX rear seats offer lots of room

The rear seats are very comfortable.  The test car also has the rear entertainment system, which adds video screens on the back of each front seat.  The Premium model has 3-zone climate control, so that the rear passengers get their own climate control options.

Here is a view down from the open Ultraview (double size) sunroof, to give an impression of the plentiful head room:

2010 Cadillac SRX UltraView Looking in

I also shot a couple of pictures with me in the frame (which I try to avoid!) to show fit.  With the driver’s seat adjusted as I normally would without regard for head room, I have about a hand-span of room left in the SRX, so 3-4 inches of extra space.  I am 6’2″ tall, but since proportions differ by individual please use as a general suggestion that there is lots of head room.

2010 Cadillac SRX Headroom Shot

Shoulder space — I have to completely extend my elbow to reach the passenger seat.  So again, I would say there is a lot of shoulder space in the SRX.  We have got to get better models for this type of shot!

2010 Cadillac SRX Shoulder Space

Quick grocery trip — I know this is not a week’s worth of stuff, but you get the idea of the space:

SRX rear cargo space

I love the electric rear lift gate.  As in the Sport Wagon, it is selectable to 3/4 or full height.  In the SRX you can also ‘program’ it to a custom height by showing it the height you need it to open to then storing that height.  Luckily I have no physical problem opening or closing but certainly I prefer opening the rear gate from the remote, or from the door, and simply pressing a button again to have it glide closed.

Also as in the Sport Wagon in this shot you can see the fully adjustable cargo anchor rail system in the floor of the cargo area.  Cadillac has carefully thought this vehicle out so that it has the utility you need.

One feature of the Premium Model SRX is heated and ventilated seats.

2010 Cadillac SRX Ventilated Seat Control

The upper right button controls seat heating, and the lower right button controls seat ventilation.  Each are selectable in 3 settings, low, medium, and high.   The small lights illuminate to show which setting is currently selected.

My Host for this test drive is Crest Cadillac of Plano, Texas.  They are located at 2701 North Central Expressway, Plano, Texas.  You can contact them by phone Toll-free at 1-866-697-9144 or locally at (972)578-7511, or on Twitter or Facebook .  Please let them know you read about the SRX here on CaddyInfo!

2010 Cadillac SRX Test Drive — The Pickup

I have a 2010 Cadillac SRX 3.0L Premium Crossover from Crest Cadillac in Plano for a weekend test drive review.  This is a 2nd Generation SRX, with the direct injection 3L V6 engine.  It has Cadillac’s Premium features, so this model is fully loaded.  Tony Griggs of Crest had it ready for pickup and went over the vehicle features with me.  Our friend Delivery Specialist Greg Vetrano was busy briefing Buyers on their new Cadillacs!

2010 Cadillac SRX Premium Crossover

This model has as options (in addition to the Premium Model standard features):

  • Crystal Red Tintcoat premium paint $995
  • 20″ chrome Tech Aluminum wheels, which I find MUCH more attractive than the standard wheels $250
  • Entertainment Sytems, Rear Seat Dual-Player DVD with wireless Headphones and Remote. This is an in-dash DVD with rear-seat mounted flip-up 8″ diagonal screens, two 2-channel wireless headphones, auxiliary audio/video jacks, remote game plug-in, and DivX playback capability. $1,295

Here are Cadillac’s images of the wheels side by side; you decide:

Optional Wheels: 20" Chrome Tech Aluminum

Standard Premium Wheels: 20" Premium Painted Cast Aluminum Wheels

Here is a closeup of the wheel on the SRX:

2010 Cadillac SRX Premium Optional Wheels

The level of integration in the driver’s central video screen is impressive.  Here is an image of the navigation system video being repeated for easy review by the driver:

2010 Cadillac SRX Navigation Dash Info

I am charmed to see the MPG analog gauge in the SRX.  These can actually be quite fun, to see how long you can keep the MPG maxed.  Of course the SRX also has a digital instant MPG and average MPG in the trip information, but the gauge is fun.

I will be posting articles about the 2010 Cadillac SRX through the weekend; please stay tuned!

My Host for this test drive is Crest Cadillac of Plano, Texas.  They are located at 2701 North Central Expressway, Plano, Texas.  You can contact them by phone Toll-free at 1-866-697-9144 or locally at (972)578-7511, or on Twitter or Facebook .  Please let them know you read about the SRX here on CaddyInfo!