Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

2012 Cadillac SRX First Impressions

Get the best interest rate
Lesley Wimbush
More than skin deep
The single transmission choice is a six-speed automatic featuring an Eco mode, which remaps the shift points for better fuel economy. Interestingly, once the driver chooses Eco, it remains in that mode without defaulting back to Drive when the car is restarted. We used this for most of our highway driving, and unlike others offering this feature, the SRX wasn't noticeably sluggish in Eco.

The single transmission choice is a six-speed automatic featuring an Eco mode. (Photo: General Motors)

Premium and performance models feature a Sport active suspension—a continuously variable damping system which reads the road and adapts in milliseconds.

Tapping the shifter to the left engages Sport mode, which moves the shift points up, remaps the throttle response and electronically tightens up the damper stiffness.

The engine develops a more aggressive note, though it doesn't escalate to a full-on bark. Tapping the shifter up or back lets the driver change gears manually; although we would have preferred wheel-mounted paddle shifters, they aren't available on the SRX.

We spent the morning behind the wheel of the front-wheel drive model, then swapped it for an AWD, or SRX4. It's equipped with an electronic limited-slip rear differential that distributes torque from front to back, or side to side when needed. Of the two, we preferred the front-wheel drive SRX, which seemed more nimble and quicker to respond.

Buyers in this segment expect a lot of pampering, and new creature comfort enhancements on the SRX include: standard Bluetooth with call recognition on all models, heated steering wheel, memory seating and a new available all-ebony trim. OnStar is standard and features turn-by-turn navigation and Stolen Vehicle Assistance.

Leather seats are comfortable for the long haul, and the cabin is whisper-quiet thanks to extra insulation in the wheelhouse liners and behind the dash and instrument panels.

Some of the Cadillac engineering and marketing folks took turns riding shotgun with us, including one huge 6'5" dude whose head had mere centimetres of clearance beneath the raked roofline, but even he had more than ample leg room.

Leather seats are comfortable for the long haul. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com)
Lesley Wimbush
Lesley Wimbush
Automotive expert
None