Ripping pages from the play books of BMW and Lexus, Cadillac layers its trademark Art and Science design cues over a new, smaller, more athletic SRX for 2010. The previous version of the SRX didn’t strike a chord with the luxury SUV buying public, if sales are a reliable indicator. Equipped with a long wheelbase and impressive road manners, the first-generation SRX could be equipped with a third-row seat and an optional V-8 engine. But now, as environmental responsibility and tough new EPA fuel economy standards are affecting vehicle design and engineering, and as Cadillac creates a portfolio of globally viable models, the redesigned 2010 SRX is downsized. It can carry up to five passengers in a cabin trimmed with upscale materials, like BMW and Lexus. It offers a firm ride, quick steering, and athletic handling, like BMW. And based on the performance of the previous SRX, this new model’s predicted reliability score is better than most vehicles on the market, like Lexus.

Highlights of the 2010 Cadillac SRX include:

• Targets the most popular luxury crossover SUVs in terms of size and packaging
• Front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive with an electronic limited slip differential
• Choice between two V-6 engines: a 3.0-liter or a turbocharged 2.8-liter
• Six-speed automatic transmissions with manual shift mode
• Fuel economy ratings between 17 and 25 mpg with 3.0-liter V-6
• Available 20-inch wheels
• Continuously variable suspension damping with AWD
• Available cargo management system with U-Rail tie-down track
• Available power liftgate with programmable height settings
• Available navigation system with 3-D imaging
• Available hard disc drive for storing audio files
• Available dual screen rear entertainment system

Model Lineup

The 2010 Cadillac SRX is offered in a single trim level with multiple “collection” option packages that can be added for extra cost. The base model, at just over $34,000, includes heated side mirrors, a Bose audio system with XM satellite radio and an auxiliary input jack, dual-zone climate control, OnStar telematics with a one-year subscription to service, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The seats are upholstered in leatherette, and the only factory options offered on this model are an engine block heater and cargo shade. Cadillac dealers offer additional dealer-installed accessories.

To gain access to a wider array of standard and optional equipment, buyers must choose the Luxury, Performance, or Premium Collection packages. The SRX Luxury Collection adds more than $3,500 to the price tag for leather upholstery, heated front seats with power lumbar support, an 8-way power front passenger’s seat, a driver’s side adjustable thigh support, driver’s seat and mirror memory, and power adjustable pedals. This package is also the path to Bluetooth and Homelink technology, as well as an auto-dimming rearview mirror, air quality and humidity sensors, a power rear liftgate, adaptive remote starting, and interior accent lighting. In back, there’s a cargo shade, a cargo area U-rail tie-down track, and a cargo bin under the rear cargo area floor. You also get the Ultraview panoramic sunroof, real Sapele wood interior trim, power folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking assist sensors, and machined-finish alloy wheels. Want just one of these features, like Bluetooth or a sunroof? You’ve gotta get the whole enchilada.

The Performance Collection is more than $8,000 more expensive than the base SRX. It includes Luxury Collection equipment, plus a premium onboard entertainment system with navigation, a Bose 5.1 surround sound system, a 40-gigabyte hard drive with Gracenotes technology, a USB port, streaming audio capability from your iPod, and voice recognition technology. It’s also got fog lights, Xenon HID headlights with Adaptive Forward Lighting, headlamp washer system, 20-inch alloy wheels, and variable effort power steering. The Premium Collection is the top SRX option package, including more than $10,000 worth of goodies. In addition to the features found in the Luxury and Performance Collections, the Premium Collection has triple-zone climate control, keyless access and ignition, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats.

Other options, offered only on the Collection models, include an all-wheel-drive system, a rear seat entertainment system, a rearview camera, a heavy-duty pet guard cargo net, and chrome wheels. Fully equipped, the SRX costs about $50,000.

Under the Hood

Initially, the 2010 Cadillac SRX will be available only with a direct-injected, 3.0-liter V-6 engine making 265 horsepower at 6,950 rpm and churning 223 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,100 rpm on regular unleaded. Later in the first year of production, a 2.8-liter, turbocharged V-6 will be available, with preliminary estimates of 300 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 295 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm while burning premium unleaded. Each engine will be matched with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting capability, and the SRX turbo will be equipped with an “eco mode” that allows the driver to change the transmission’s shift mapping to improve fuel economy or performance, whichever is more desirable.

According to the EPA, the 3.0-liter is rated to return 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive and 17 city/23 highway with all-wheel drive. EPA ratings have not been measured for the SRX’s turbocharged engine. Our review vehicle, an SRX with the 3.0-liter V-6 engine and all-wheel drive, averaged 19.6 mpg in mixed driving with a highway emphasis. Combined with the SRX’s standard 21-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 410-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

Notably, the SRX’s available all-wheel drive system is equipped with an electronic limited slip differential, which allows power to be delivered from the front wheels to the rear wheels, and also from side to side depending on traction conditions.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment on the 2010 Cadillac SRX include dual front airbags, side impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and side curtain airbags. Cadillac’s StabiliTrak stability and traction control system is also standard, along with rollover mitigation sensors and a trailer stability assist system. Braking is accomplished with a four-wheel vented-disc antilock setup.

The SRX is also equipped with Automatic Crash Response, a feature of its standard OnStar telematics system (a free one-year subscription to OnStar services is included, but requires a monthly fee after the first year of ownership). With Automatic Crash Response, an OnStar advisor contacts the vehicle in the event of a severe collision. The advisor can communicate with vehicle occupants, summon emergency help to the scene, and pinpoint the vehicle’s exact location as well as determine how bad the accident might be.

Cadillac makes a point of claiming that the SRX’s structure makes use of martensitic steel, among the strongest types of steel available, according to the automaker. It is used in the SRX’s rockers to improve side-impact protection and add rigidity in frontal and rear impact crashes. The SRX, designed for global markets, also meets European pedestrian protection regulations, and is equipped with a front bumper designed for greater compatibility with cars. Furthermore, it was rated a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in calendar year 2009, but lost this designation for calendar year 2010 because the agency instituted new roof-crush protection standards to qualify.

Safety options on the SRX include front and rear park assist sensors, a reversing camera, and an adaptive front lighting system that helps the driver see around dark curves at night. Cadillac does not offer increasingly commoditized items like a blind spot warning system, lane departure warning system, active cruise control, or collision mitigation braking on the SRX.

The Competition

JDPower.com says the 2010 Cadillac SRX competes against other compact luxury crossover SUVs such as the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Infiniti EX35, Land Rover LR2, Lexus RX, Lincoln MKX, Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, and Volvo XC60. Cadillac names the Acura MDX and BMW X5 as within the SRX’s competitive set.

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Note: This review was published on November 19, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.