Model tested: Cadillac SRX 4.6 V8 Sport Luxury (left-hand drive)
Price: £39,995 (right hand drive coming later in 2006).
0-62mph: 7.4 seconds
Top speed: 140mph
Combined economy: 20.2mpg
Kerb weight: 2051kg
Relevant links:
All Cadillac road tests.
Popping over to the Cadillac stand in the manufacturer area, I noticed an unusual addition to the BLS and CTS models on display and I must admit I didn't even know what it was called when I asked to borrow the keys... The SRX name utilises Cadillac naming convention: 'S' is its class (an internal decision) and RX stands for Recreational Xrossover. Some of the press photos make it look like a tall estate, but in the metal the Cadillac SRX is all SUV.
Jumping into the 'wrong' side to drive the SRX just confounded my first impressions, that here was just another large American SUV, suited only to rap artists and the odd premiership footballer. Saying that, the car on offer was painted silver and was remarkably devoid of the chrome that weighs down its Cadillac Escalade big brother. Once inside, my mood changed. The interior is, as you'd hope from the exterior size, huge, but it also seems to be well made and the design is modern.
The SRX rides well too, but here's the shocker: it handles in a manner that deserves comparison with
Audi's Q7 and there's a further bonus on the top-of-the range Northstar V8-equipped version we drove; if you extend the engine through its rev range it begins to sound like a Corvette! Can't wait to try the full UK-spec. right-hand drive SRX later this year.
Shane O' Donoghue - 26 May 2006