Vehicle: 2004 Cadillac SRX 5-seater V8 AWD with 1SC package and premium “Ultraview” sunroof
Price as tested: CDN$71405
Handling: One of the biggest highlights of SRX has to be its dynamics. Not only does it finally get rid of Caddy’s typical mashmellow softly sprung feel, it has enough solidity and driver connection to compete with its European rivals. The SRX begins with a very stiff and sound chassis that is completely free of rattles and flex, along with the excellent magnetic ride control that provides top-notch handling/ride compromise. The result is a crossover that handles exceptionally well. The steering is sharp, fast and responsive. It also provides plenty of road feel through the thick rim. The only drawback of the steering system is it remains on the light side. The magnetic ride control provides a optimum balance of ride and handling. This system has given the vehicle very minimal body rolls when pushed through corners, even with a bit of understeer. On the other hand, the absorb of washboard pavements and expansion joints are wonderfully comfy. The best thing is this system provides a ride quality that combines the European ride firmness and a bit of softness instead of Caddy’s usual floaty landyatch tuning. The confidence-inspiring handling really impressed during the rainstorm, same goes to the advance AWD system.
Performance: Our tester comes with a Northstar V8 4.6L that has 320hp and 315 lb/ft of torque. Power has never been an issue with this engine. Northstar has to be considered as one of the world’s finest V8 engines. It has excellent refinement and smoothness. The throttle response is fast and responsive, although it feels overly responsive at certain extent. The 5-speed auto tranny is typical GM quality. That means its a very smooth unit that provides responsive up/downshifts and driver never has to hunt gears. My pet peeves have to do with its manumatic. The first issue has to be with its responsiveness. This manumatic feels sluggish on upshift, I meant really slow type. Secondly, it doesn’t allow you to rev pass redline before upshifts. Thirdly, it doesn’t automatically downshift to 1 when you come to a complete stop. In many manmatics, even when you are driving 100 km/h @ 5th gear and you hit the brake pedal without downshifting yourself. It automatically downshift to 1st at complete stop. On the SRX, it remains at 5th gear when you stop at a signal. That means when you accelerate the vehicle again, it starts all over at 5th or 4th or 3rd or 2nd. GM really needs to rethink this system.
Brakes: Given SRX’s weight, the 4-wheel discs with ABS provide very good pedal feel. Unlike many GM cars I have driven, this one has one solid feel. Its easily modulated with balanced pedal effort.
Interior: SRX begins with a great sets of leather seats. The leather material feels soft and supple, while provide excellent back and thigh support. The climate control, stereo and driver info center are of easy reach. It also has a clear and analog instrumentation in front of the driver. However, these are the drawbacks. Firstly, SRX still stuck with CTS’s interior. While CTS’s interior already not that pleasing to look at to begin with, its about the same for SRX. Secondly, the tranny indicator on the dashboard uses a very light orange preface. While its already really hard to read in a rainy day when I turned on the headlight, good luck reading it under sunlight. Thirdly. While the rest of the interior uses high quality materials, some of them even soft to the touch. The glovebox stuck with a cheap POS plastic that is completely out of place in a 70+ grand Caddy. Its acceptable in a 13k Cavalier, its unforgiving in a 70+k SRX.
The 2nd row of seats have plenty of head and legroom. Unlike the Pacifica, SRX actually has a center position.
The cargo space is huge. It has lots of cubbyholes and is covered with expensive carpet lining. If you take the 5-seat instead of 7-seat version of SRX, it has larger luggage space than many SUVs.
Conclusion: Judging by the fact the Pacifica and SRX are shared the same concept, latter executed far better. It got a powerful Northstar V8, handles exceptionally well and the 2nd row got the middle position. The SRX V6 should give huge pressure to Pacifica even if you have to pay some premium for the Caddy.
As for the vehicle itself, it has to be the best Caddy I have driven for quite a while. SRX also has one significance for this brand. It signifies Caddy’s on a renissance with rave of great new products on the horizon, also a comeback to the marketplace.
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2004 CADDY SRX V8 AWD
====================================
Performance: 3.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.75/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.25/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 4.25/5
Overall rating: 4.25/5