Walkaround

The Cadillac SRX is a medium-size luxury utility. Like many of the latest crossover vehicles that are based on cars, the SRX feels and drives more like a station wagon than a traditional truck-based sport utility. While European automakers like and sell lots of station wagons, their American counterparts (and many buyers) think station wagon is a dirty word, probably because of the mom-mobile connotations. Station-wagon fans think wagons are more sophisticated than sport utilities, probably because they are. The SRX sort of straddles the middle. It has the function and driving performance of a wagon, but a look (and higher seating position) that's more in line with an SUV. Its ride, handling and technology are more sophisticated than most truck-based SUVs.

The SRX features Cadillac's edgy Art and Science design philosophy, introduced on the CTS sedan. People tend to love it or hate it. The SRX looks modern, even futuristic, but doesn't neglect Cadillac's heritage. It was inspired by the original El Dorado, with its exuberant tailfins, that debuted in 1959. The bottom line: If you like the edgy, angular look of the CTS and STS sedans, or the XLR roadster, then you'll like the styling on the SRX. Love it or hate it, it's bold and unabashedly American. You will stand out in a crowd.

For 2006, the SRX features new wheel designs that further flaunt its design. Restyled 17-inch and 18-inch wheels have an aggressive look, with six exposed lugs and a prominent Cadillac wreath and crest in the center caps. There are also three new paint colors: Stealth Grey, Radiant Bronze and Infrared.

Interior Features

The Cadillac SRX interior shares design themes with those in Cadillac's CTS and STS sedans. Like the exterior styling, the look inside is a love-it or hate-it affair. The door panels and dashboard are stylish and practical, but they aren't particularly beautiful, warm or inviting. Some have called Cadillac's interiors cold.

Aware of such criticism, Cadillac took a serious shot at warming up the SRX interior beginning with the 2005 model year. It revamped the instrument cluster, adding chrome accents, and introduced softer, richer interior colors such ebony, light neutral and light gray. The trend continues for 2006, with a more expansive wood trim package that now includes the entire center stack, and a new cashmere interior color. It's an improvement, but we're still not fond of some of the details. The chrome surround on the shifter is almost garish, and script used to label the gears is anything but elegant.

The SRX cabin is richly finished, however, on par with the best in SUVs.

Moreover, everything is easy to operate. The window switches are on the doors, right where you expect to find them, and the climate and audio controls in the center stack are efficiently laid out and easy to find while driving without significant distraction.

The SRX is roomier than some of its competitors, especially the BMW X5 and Infiniti FX. At 41 inches, it has more rear legroom than other midsize luxury sport-utilities and as much rear hip room as the roomy Acura MDX.

Five-passenger seating is standard, with individual seats in front and a three-place bench in back. The second seat powers back and forth for more legroom or more cargo space. More SUVs should have this feature. The cargo area in the five-passenger model can be outfitted with covered storage spaces built into the floor.

The SRX can carry seven passengers when ordered with the optional third-row bench seat. This third row gives SRX an edge on many of its competitors, including the BMW X5, Infiniti FX, and Lexus RX. Yet the SRX's third seat provides less room, including legroom, than those in the Acura MDX and Volvo XC90. The Cadillac's third-row seat folds flat into the floor with the press of a button. Adding greatly to convenience, buttons to accomplish this are provided near the rear hatch and on the pillar just behind the second row of seats. The third row comes with storage bins and cup holders. Each row of seats sits higher than the one in front of it, theater style, so everyone can see out.

Luggage space is about average for the class. The nice, flat, dog-friendly cargo floor behind the second row makes the SRX an excellent vehicle for the fur-bearing members of the family. Roof rails come standard to expand cargo-carrying capability.

Storage cubbies abound, including covered front door compartments, front door map pockets, front seatback pockets, a front center console with two compartments, a bin behind the front console and a glove box with a shelf. There are cup holders in the front seat center console and second seat fold-down armrest. The SRX also has rear coat hooks that are accessible from both the rear passenger doors and liftgate, whichever proves more convenient when picking up the dry cleaning.