Review of the new Cadillac SRX

It's easy to get a little patronising when it comes to American cars. Big, unsophisticated things that slug back fuel and trip over themselves at the first sniff of a corner, these so-called 'Yank Tanks' have traditionally lost something in translation when shipped across the Atlantic. Just about the only market sector to have escaped this rather sneering attitude is that of big 4x4s, vehicles that sell in multitudes Stateside and enjoy some success here.

Although the most familiar name to many will be Jeep, a more prestigious brand is looking to muscle in on the action. Cadillac, that most quintessentially American auto manufacturer, has established itself across the pond with big 4x4s such as the Escalade, one of the most namechecked cars in rap and R'n'B singles, and is now offering the slightly more accessible SRX in right hand drive seven-seater form to British buyers priced from £27,995.

At first glance, the SRX looks not unlike the larger and more luxurious Escalade, with slab sided flanks and bold, edgy detailing around the front lights and grille area but its stance is quite different to the pumped up look of most 4x4s. Instead it adopts a low-rider look that's almost akin to a big MPV-style vehicle. Those who buy 4x4s for the commanding view of the road ahead will feel a little disappointed by the SRX's car-like altitude. The flipside of this is that the SRX features a lower centre of gravity than most competitors. This, in turn, should translate into the sort of handling that has escaped many big 4x4s, but the SRX is set up for comfort. Turn in a little too enthusiastically for a corner and the body will wallow, the slow steering not doing a whole lot to heighten the experience. It's worth stating that the SRX's handling capabilities are surprisingly good for a vehicle that weighs this much, but it doesn't move the game on in this respect.

Although the car's cornering capabilities aren't going to worry the likes of BMW, its ride quality is near the top of the tree. The SRX absorbs typical motorway expansion joints with a hushed composure and renders potholed B-roads a complete irrelevance. It's easy to find yourself parked atop kerbs without even realizing you've mounted the pavement, such is the absorption of the SRX's springing.

"The Cadillac SRX isn't exactly short of road presence"

This being an American car, a diesel engine is not on the menu. Buy an SRX and you're going to have to get used to pouring unleaded down its neck at a fair rate, as neither of the two engines is particularly economical. The entry-level engine is a 258bhp 3.6-litre V6 with a 5-speed automatic transmission, offered in 'Elegance' or, for £2,000 more, 'Sport Luxury' guises. Most buyers will doubtless go the whole hog and plump for the single 325bhp 4.6-litre V8 version with a 6-speed auto 'box, priced at £36,895. This delivers some serious straightline speed, dispatching the sprint to 60mph in 7.4 seconds, the bluff front only failing to punch a big hole through the airstream at 140mph.

This Northstar V8 is one of the best engines ever to hail from the US, offering plenty of low-end torque as well as the ability to play the sporting card with some conviction. Both the engines available feature variable valve timing and utilise an electronic throttle. The lack of a diesel is a big handicap in the British market, as an economical 3.0-litre diesel version of the SRX could convert many buyers looking for something a little off the beaten path but which won't crucify them in terms of fuel economy. Most drivers will be lucky to average much more than 15mpg from the SRX V8.

Cadillac themselves seem a little unsure of how to pitch the SRX, referring to it as variously a "driver's utility" and a "luxury utility" although the closest conventional term for the vehicle most Americans would understand would be 'station wagon'. Where the SRX scores is in offering a good blend of abilities in areas that buyers of these vehicles typically demand. It doesn't attempt to offer any serious off-roading ability. In fact the US version offers all wheel drive as a costly option. Likewise, eight inches of ground clearance and limited wheel articulation aren't going to make this behemoth a rock hopper of note.

The brakes of the SRX are well worthy of note. Helped by a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, the braking system offers some serious punch. Big brake discs of nearly 13-inches in diameter are backed up by a very slick anti-lock braking system that's virtually imperceptible when pushed into operation. General Motors' Panic Brake Assist system offers an additional safety net for when you need to stop this two-tonne vehicle in a hurry, applying full braking power when an emergency situation is detected.

And so on to the SRX's cabin. It's at this juncture of any road test concerning an American car that things tend to go horribly wrong. Yoghurt-pot plastics, clumsy design, seats wide enough to house an elephant seal and lousy ergonomics are what we tend to expect. The SRX tries in this regard: recent improvements have included softer surfaces, flush-mounted switches and controls, along with enhanced storage capacity. It still has to be said however, that many of the plastics are still very low rent and the overhead console, grab handles and centre binnacle don't feel up to the mark when forking out around £30,000. There's no shortage of electronic gadgets to play with but most are marshalled by a touch screen display which often requires three or four menu choices to get things done, diverting your eyes from the road for an unacceptable period of time. Although it may be fiddly to operate, there can be absolutely no faulting the sound quality of the optional Bose stereo fitted to the test car. Rich, deep and with prodigious reserves of power, this was one booming system.

At 2960 mm, the SRX has one of the longest wheelbases in its class, providing an unusual amount of rear legroom. For the UK, this is a seven-seater and offers a spacious cargo area. The rear and middle row seats can be folded down, increasing the cargo volume to over 1960 litres. In order that the cargo bed can still be used whenever required, the third row seats can be power-folded into the floor at the touch of a button.

The Cadillac SRX lacks the last few per cent of finish some buyers will look for and its lack of a diesel engine option will also preclude it from the shortlists of many other prospective purchasers. Just as well then that Cadillac aren't aiming for big sales for this model in the UK, instead realistically targeting the sort of low mileage urban driver who might otherwise be tempted by something a little out of the ordinary. If you can afford to run it, the SRX certainly lives up to that particular billing.

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