Used 2011 Cadillac SRX for sale 

The 2011 Cadillac SRX comes in 6 basic trims with a variety of options in powertrains and drivetrains. The basic motor is a 3.0L naturally aspirated V-6, which is offered with an option between an all-wheel-drive and a front-wheel-drive on all save the base trim, which is only in front-wheel-drive. The expensive Turbo Premium and Turbo Performance rack up close to $50,000, though they also offer the 2.8L turbocharged V-6 motor. The turbocharged motor only comes with an all-wheel-drive.

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The turbocharged V-6 is due to be discontinued at the end of the year and could be a great pick due to its response and performance. The base engine seems to struggle with the all-wheel-drive, and as such, a front-wheel-drive seems better outfitted. The most recommended trim would be the Luxury trim with the naturally aspirated V-6 and a front-wheel-drive, though an all-wheel-drive would be more suited for driving enthusiasts.

With the redesign the SRX had for 2010, the car now offers two V-6 motors, with the smaller displacement one being a turbocharged V-6. The SRX comes standard with a naturally aspirated V-6 3.0L motor that puts up 265 horsepower and 223 foot-pounds of torque.

The motor seems a bit too strung up with the heavy frame of the car, and especially in all-wheel-drive, we expect a less than satisfactory output. The other option is a turbocharged 2.8L V-6 that makes 300 horsepower and 295 foot-pounds of torque, which is much better at getting the car going.

Comparing the all-wheel-drive options, the Cadillac SRX is pretty much in the center of the performance offered by its refined German competition. The front-wheel-drive variant though struggles to get going and takes 8.2 seconds to 60 mph, which is almost a second slower than some of its competition. The SUV slows down close to the quarter-mile, owing to its lack of higher rpm gear ratios, which its competitors readily offer.

While the car is well outfitted for its competition in other considerations, it falls short in terms of fuel efficiency. The base V-6 has lower efficacy than the competition, while the turbocharged motor guzzles fuel comparable to a V-8. The naturally breathing V-6 puts up 18 mpg in cities, 25 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. The same engine in an all-wheel-drive gives 17 mpg in cities, 23 mpg on highways, and 19 mpg combined. The turbocharged V-6 motor doles out mpg figures to the tune of 15/22/18 for city/highway/combined, which is close to average in larger engines in the segment.

Either engine on the SRX cannot compare to the refined German units and offers a slightly lower fuel economy than their counterparts. The Audi Q5 is the most efficient, which with its larger 19.8-gallon fuel tank gives the car the best range in the competition. Comparatively, the BMW X3 has a smaller fuel tank and conversely the least range of the lot.

The dashboard is covered by fine hand-assembled leather while the controls are easy to reach and use. The SRX does not offer third-row seating, however, the 5-seat setup is quite spacious and well outfitted. The front seats offer great support and a commanding driving posture.

The second-row seats have decent space for adults and are quite well padded for longer journeys. The cabin also opens upwards towards the huge moonroof that brightens the interior.

The legroom in the SRX is quite similar to most of its competitors both in the front and the second row. The space is quite capable, and the interior quality in the American luxury SUV offers its distinct charm. The overall fit and finish of the cabin are perfect for the class. Some standout interior features are:

• Dual-zone climate control
• Leatherette upholstery in the base variant
• Leather upholstery in Luxury trim and higher
• Powered tailgate with adjustable height
• Driver seat memory functions
• Panoramic sunroof
• Power adjustable pedals
• 8-way power-adjustable front seats
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Interior accent lighting

How intuitive is the 2011 Cadillac SRX’s infotainment unit?

The 2011 SRX offers a pop-up display in the center of the dashboard to house the navigation system. Although it is only offered on the Premium and the Performance trims as standard. The Luxury trim gets the display as an option. The basic trims get the OnStar system and an 8-speaker Bose stereo with Radio and CD player, it even gets satellite radio. The SRX Performance trim adds a 10-speaker audio setup, which has an iPod and USB interface. The system even has digital music storage for up to 30GB. Major infotainment features include-

• Navigation
• 8-speaker audio system by Bose
• 10-speaker Premium surround sound system by Bose
• AM/FM/CD Player
• Satellite Radio
• iPod Connection
• Rear seat audio controls (Premium trim only)

The revamp last year took away the tall, longer, and thinner model the SRX was. The newer car is much better balanced and looks more modern. The front sports an angular grille and vertical headlamps, which gives it a distinct and well-styled look.

The SRX has a distinct styling line along its side, which ends at the top of the shoulder and haunches at the rear. The SRX even has a spoiler integrated into the roof atop the tailgate that smoothens the airflow for the vehicle. The SRX comes with both 18-inch and 20-inch wheels on its various trims.

The dimensions of the newer car compare better with its entry-level luxury competitors, though the Cadillac has more in terms of length. The wheelbases are almost identical, although the overall width of the Cadillac SRX is more than any of its competitors. The Cadillac has almost 200 kgs more than its competition, which hampers the car's dynamics and drivability. Some standout exterior features include:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Roof rails
• Fog lamps
• Automatic headlamps
• Power folding auto-dimming rearview mirrors
• Automatic wipers
• Adaptive Xenon headlamps

The recent updates bring the Cadillac SRX to terms with the competition in terms of safety and structural strength. Crash tests have shown that the car is great for occupant protection. Standard features include side curtain airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, among other standard features. The IIHS has awarded the car a “Good” rating in all categories, and even awards the car as the “Top Safety Pick” for 2011. The platform uses Martensitic steel, which greatly improves its side-impact strength. Some standout safety features are:

• Martensitic Steel Chassis
• Adaptive headlights
• Rearview camera
• Side curtain airbags
• Front-seat mounted airbags
• Safety belts w/ dual pre-tensioners and load limiters
• OnStar Safety

The 2011 Cadillac SRX is a worthy competitor to premium competition in the segment. The car has great drivability and stability, along with some of the best safety ratings in the class. The car has a variety of options and luxury as you go higher up the trims. The powerful turbocharged motor has enough response to compare with the likes of Audi and BMW. Although the car suffers in fuel economy, and the lower-powered engine has a tougher job at pushing the car. The price tag of the car also tends to be more expensive as compared to other luxury cars in the segment. Overall the Cadillac is a great pick and a highly recommended, an all-American alternative in the small luxury SUV segment.