Cadillac is doing large issues now. The model is on an EV trajectory with a lineup of electrical automobiles which might be trendy and technologically superior. Its common fuel powered line up has seen higher days, although. Other than scorching fashions just like the Blackwing automobiles and the Escalade, most of Cadillac’s internal-combustion lineup is forgettable. That wasn’t the case 20 years in the past when fashions like the unique SRX have been round.
Again within the early 2000s, Cadillac was getting settled into its function as a luxurious model that was going to tackle the Germans. Cadillac debuted its Artwork & Science design language on scorching fashions just like the second-generation Escalade and it had a premium platform underpinning fashions that might tackle the overseas luxurious manufacturers. Known as Sigma, the platform was unique to Cadillac and will accommodate V6 and V8 engines of varied sizes. The primary mannequin launched on Sigma was the first-gen CTS in 2003, and the second was the SRX SUV in 2004.
The world received a preview of the SRX in 2001 with the Vizon idea. Cadillac mentioned the Vizon blurred the traces between sport sedan and SUV; it was even described as a “efficiency wagon” in some areas. The Vizon had a 119-inch wheelbase and an total size of 190 inches. Energy got here from Cadillac’s Northstar V8 engine that was paired with GM’s first software of StabiliTrak all-wheel drive. The idea was well-received, and Cadillac introduced that the Vizon would enter manufacturing to go up in opposition to the likes of the Mercedes ML, BMW X5 and Acura MDX.
When the SRX debuted in 2003 for the ‘04 mannequin yr, it wore styling that was fairly near the idea. Using on the Sigma platform meant that it had customary rear-wheel drive with all-wheel drive as an possibility. The manufacturing SRX had a barely shorter wheelbase than the idea at 116.4 inches, nevertheless it was barely longer total at 194.9 inches. The true kicker was the SRX’s peak and width. At 67.8 inches tall it was truly barely shorter than a Chevy Enterprise minivan making the SRX extra tall wagon than brief SUV.
Patrons might possibility the SRX with both a base 3.6-liter V6 with 260 horsepower or the optionally available 4.6-liter Northstar V8 with 320 hp. Choices like a rear-seat DVD participant, large Ultraview panoramic roof and adaptive magnetic journey management suspension turned it right into a wagon that each driver and household might get pleasure from. There was truly some efficiency right here, too.
As compared checks in 2004, the SRX bested spectacular competitors. In a MotorTrend comparability check in opposition to the BMW X5 4.4i, Porsche Cayenne S and Infiniti FX45, the SRX beat all of them to 60 mph, doing it in 6.4 seconds. In a Automobile and Driver comparability in opposition to the Infiniti, Porsche and Volkswagen Touareg, the SRX got here in first place with the publication calling it “the station wagon with the very best mixture of sport and utility.” Sadly, the SRX’s wonderful mixture of wagon and utility wasn’t lengthy for this world. The second-generation SRX debuted for the 2009 mannequin yr, totally morphing it right into a full blown crossover that’s nonetheless round right now because the XT5.
Sadly, Cadillac by no means gave us something like the primary SRX once more. If you happen to wished a V8-powered wagon for the plenty, Dodge had you lined with the Magnum. It wouldn’t be till 2010 that we’d see a correct wagon from Cadillac within the CTS-V Sport Wagon, and that didn’t final lengthy. If solely the Cadillac of right now might notice the profitable system that was the unique SRX, it could in all probability have successful on its fingers.
