Used 2015 Cadillac SRX

With its edgy, chiseled appearance and long list of available features, the 2015 Cadillac SRX luxury crossover-SUV has further expanded the automaker’s appeal to a younger audience. Despite going on its fifth year in this iteration, the SRX still manages to hold up well when pitted against such rivals as the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK. Although not as athletic as the Germans, the SRX still manages to impress with its moves. It also offers a more comfortable ride, plentiful interior room and powerful V6 engine. Couple this with the SRX’s impressive safety features and technology-rich CUE touch-screen infotainment system, and the SRX proves why Cadillac is very much still in the luxury crossover-SUV game.

We pushed our 2015 Cadillac SRX SUV over an equal run of twisting mountain roads and long highway stretches, and we’ve come away with a rather favorable opinion. Despite its 4,300 pounds, the SRX delivers an acceptable balance between power, agility and ride comfort. Although not as fun in the curves as a BMW X3 or Acura RDX, the SRX nevertheless goes where you point it and does so without fuss or histrionics. The SRX’s 308-horsepower V6 is more than up to the task of delivering performance on demand, but it consumes more fuel than its rivals. A large gasoline tank helps mitigate the need for more frequent fill-ups. From a handling perspective, the SRX’s available speed-sensitive steering offers good feedback without feeling overly weighted, and the available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system helps keep the SRX firmly planted when the road gets slick.

The SRX’s cabin is thoroughly modern, and then some. Although we applaud the cutting-edge CUE infotainment setup and its touch-sensitive 8-inch display, the system requires a steep learning curve to operate when driving. The SRX’s front seats are roomy, though the 3-passenger rear seat can be tight for taller adults. Behind the folding and reclining rear seat is about 30 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s less than a smaller SUV like the Honda CR-V, but ample for all but the biggest shopping splurges. The UltraView sunroof does a good job giving the cabin an airy feel.

Athletic and attractive are just two ways of describing Cadillac’s crossover-SUV. The SRX’s sense of style is highlighted by angular sheet metal and a stylish – but visibility-hampering – sloped roof. Prominent creases rise along the sides from just aft the front wheels to below the rear windows, conveying a sense of momentum. The power lift gate – standard on all but base models – is an arm-saver. Twin tailpipes and large, 18- or 20-inch wheels round out a package well-suited for a young executive.

AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
This innovative system can not only detect an impending low-speed collision and alert the driver, it can actually intervene by stopping the vehicle should the driver fail to act.

BOSE SILENCE AND SOUND
The 2015 Cadillac SRX comes standard with a Bose audio system that includes Active Noise Cancellation. The system helps mute exterior noise entering the cabin by countering it with opposing sound waves that neutralize annoying noises.

In base form, the 2015 SRX includes an 8-speaker Bose sound system with dual USB inputs and Bluetooth streaming, and dual-zone auto climate control. Leatherette is the upholstery in base models. Stepping up to the Luxury trim adds a few thousand to the price, but brings real leather, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, a rear backup camera, keyless access, and blind-spot monitoring, which is a big help on crowded roads. The top-end Premium trim adds 10-speaker Bose audio, navigation, a ventilated driver’s seat to keep your rump cool, and safety features like lane-departure warning.

All-wheel drive can be had on all but base models of the Cadillac SRX luxury crossover-SUV for 2015. Other options vary by trim. Among them are the Driver Assist Package that includes the automatic braking feature and adaptive cruise control. Other goodies of note include a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones, Safety Seat Alert (it alerts the driver to a potential collision by vibrating the seat), and a pet cargo partition to accommodate Fido.

The 2015 SRX employs a direct-injection 3.6-liter V6 good for 308 horsepower, a figure that bests most of rivals. Better yet, the SRX does not require premium gasoline, and the driver-selectable Eco mode is said to slightly improve efficiency by changing transmission shift points. All Cadillac SRXs employ a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is the SRX’s standard format, with all-wheel drive optional. Towing capacity is 3,500 pounds. The SRX’s powertrain warranty runs six years or 70,000 miles. Another nice perk is Cadillac’s standard Premium Care Maintenance program, which covers services such as oil changes for four years or 50,000 miles.

3.6-liter V6
308 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
265 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg (front-wheel drive), 16/23 mpg (AWD)