The Cadillac SRX is a mid-size luxury SUV and compact luxury crossover SUV (CUV) manufactured and marketed by Cadillac over two generations: the first generation as a five-door, three-row, seven-passenger CUV (2003–2009), and the second generation as a five-door, two-row, five-passenger CUV (2010–2016) – the latter becoming Cadillac's best selling model in the United States.
First generation (2004)
Engine options included the High-Feature V6 and the 4.6 L Northstar V8. It was based on the GM Sigma platform and came with a five or six-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive and MagneRide were available. As a Sigma platform vehicle, the first generation SRX had a longitudinally mounted front engine, longitudinal transmission mounted behind the engine, and a rear drive differential. The AWD option was implemented with a transfer case mounted to the rear of the transmission, with a propeller shaft forward to a front differential to power the front wheels.
An all-leather interior and curtain side airbags were standard in both models. Heated front seats and wood interior trim were standard in the V8 and available as options in the V6. DVD, sunroof, navigation system, and a power foldable third-row seat were all available options. However the third row was no longer available for the 2010 model year on the SRX.
The base price was US$38,880 for the V6 and US$45,880 for the V8 version.
The SRX won Car and Driver's Five Best Trucks "luxury SUV" award for 2004, 2005 and 2006 and was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2004.
The first generation SRX never had the V Series performance model available.
The first generation SRX was available through the 2009 model year.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found the 2005-08 SRX worst in its class for driver fatalities with a death rate of 63 compared to its class average of 23.
2005 changes
For the 2005 model year, Cadillac added chrome accents to the gauge cluster and made the towing package available on V6 models and V8 models. The towing capacity also grew to .
2006 changes
For 2006, power tailgate and satellite radio became standard. New wheel designs were also added. New interior wood trim was added to the center stack and ride height was lowered slightly.
2007 changes
For the 2007 model year, a new console was implemented, V8 models received six-speed automatic transmission, and base audio system was changed to Bose. A Sport package was added which included 20-inch wheels, all-wheel drive and limited slip differential. Other added options include Bose 5.1 digital surround sound, Theater package (which included Bose 5.1 digital surround sound, navigation and rear seat entertainment), automatic odor filtration, and Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint Suppression.
2008 changes
The 2008 SRX received a new three-spoke steering wheel design.
2009 changes
Adaptive Remote Start was added as a new option for the 2009 model year.
Second generation (2010)
The second generation SRX followed the Provoq concept presented at the 2008 Detroit NAIAS auto show, using a variation of the Epsilon II platform.
The production SRX debuted in January 2009 with the choice of a 3.0 liter V6 with direct injection derived from the 3.6 liter unit in the Cadillac CTS, or a 2.8 liter turbocharged V6. — and a base MSRP of $34,155.
As it used the Epsilon platform, the second generation SRX drivetrain was a front transverse mounted V6 engine with a transverse mounted transaxle powering the front wheels. The AWD option was implemented with a power take-off output of the transaxle, and a propeller shaft to a rear differential to power the rear wheels.
2016 was the last model year for the SRX as Cadillac replaced it by the XT5 in the spring of 2016 as a 2017 model.
2011 changes
For the 2011 model year, a rear backup camera and Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance program became standard and full keyless access became standard on Luxury and Performance models. In January 2011, General Motors discontinued production of the 2.8 liter turbo-charged V6 engine in the SRX, citing poor sales numbers. Less than 10 percent of SRX buyers opted for the turbo-charged engine. This left the naturally aspirated 3.0 liter V6 as the only engine available for the remainder of the 2011 model year.