#1 Cochran Automotive

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Walk Around

The Cadillac SRX is a medium-size luxury utility. Like many of the latest crossover vehicles that are based on cars, the SRX feels and drives more like a station wagon than a traditional truck-based sport utility. While Europeans buy lots of station wagons, American buyers have not received them well because of the mom-mobile image. Station wagon fans think wagons are more sophisticated than sport utilities, possibly because they are. The SRX straddles the middle. It has the function and driving performance of a wagon, but a look (and higher seating position) that's suggestive an SUV. Its ride, handling and technology are more sophisticated than most truck-based SUVs.

The SRX features Cadillac's edgy Art and Science design philosophy, introduced on the CTS sedan. People tend to love it or hate it. The SRX looks modern, even futuristic, but doesn't neglect Cadillac's heritage. It was inspired by the original El Dorado, with its exuberant tailfins, that debuted in 1959. The bottom line: If you like the edgy, angular look of the CTS and STS sedans, or the XLR roadster, then you'll like the styling on the SRX. Love it or hate it, it's bold and unabashedly American. You will stand out in a crowd. The styling is getting a little long in the tooth at this point, however.

Interior

2007 Cadillac SRX

The 2007 Cadillac SRX brings an all-new handcrafted interior, featuring a new instrument panel, hand-wrapped upper trim, console, center stack, door trim, wood trim, analog clock and steering wheel.

The redesigned cockpit has softer, more tactile surfaces and greater use of wood-grain and chrome trim. Switches and controls are now flush-mounted, and the center console now is more streamlined. The new instrument panel and door trim are built using Cadillac's new cut-and-sew interior process that combines advanced technology with the hand-rendered expertise of craftsmen. The new cockpit for 2007 is hand-built, using the same elite process as the limited-production Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V models.

Everything is easy to operate in this car. The window switches are on the doors, right where you expect to find them, and the climate and audio controls in the center stack are efficiently laid out and easy to find while driving without significant distraction.

The SRX is roomier than some of its competitors, including the Infiniti FX. At 41 inches, it has more rear legroom than other midsize luxury sport-utilities and as much rear hip room as the roomy Acura MDX.

Five-passenger seating is standard, with individual seats in front and a three-place bench in back. The second seat powers back and forth for more legroom or more cargo space. More SUVs should have this feature. The cargo area in the five-passenger model can be outfitted with covered storage spaces built into the floor.

Seven-passenger seating is achieved by ordering the optional third-row bench seat. This third row gives SRX an edge on many of its competitors, including the Infiniti FX and Lexus RX. Yet the SRX's third seat provides less room, including legroom, than those in the Acura MDX and Volvo XC90. The Cadillac's third-row seat folds flat into the floor with the press of a button. Adding greatly to convenience, buttons to accomplish this are provided near the rear hatch and on the pillar just behind the second row of seats. The third row comes with storage bins and cup holders. Each row of seats sits higher than the one in front of it, theater style, so everyone can see out.

Luggage space is about average for the class but it lays out better than most with a nice, flat cargo floor. The cargo floor behind the second row , is dog-friendly, which makes the SRX an excellent vehicle for the fur-bearing members of the family. Roof rails come standard to expand cargo-carrying capability.

Storage cubbies abound, including covered front door compartments, front door map pockets, front seatback pockets, a front center console with two compartments, a bin behind the front console and a glove box with a shelf. New for 2007 is the addition of a storage compartment on the passenger side of the instrument panel. There are cup holders in the front seat center console and second seat fold-down armrest. The SRX also has rear coat hooks that are accessible from both the rear passenger doors and liftgate, whichever proves more convenient when picking up the dry cleaning.

SRX's interior electronics and entertainment are enhanced for 2007, including a standard Bose audio system on all SRX models. In addition, the renowned Bose 5.1 Digital Surround system is available as an option. For those who want top-of-the-line interior entertainment gadgets, the optional Theater Package covers all bases with Bose 5.1 Digital Surround, DVD navigation and rear seat DVD entertainment.

A super-sized Ultra View Sunroof is optional. Push the button to open the sunroof and first- and second-row passengers can enjoy 5.6 feet of open air overhead. The Ultra View Plus option adds a shaded glass roof over the third row.

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