2012 Cadillac SRX Gets Needed Infusion Of Horsepower

By Kurt Ernst

Kurt Ernst

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Kurt has been fascinated by anything with wheels and a motor for a long time. Growing up, he spent his spare time turning wrenches and pumping gas in... More

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2012 Cadillac SRX

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When Cadillac redesigned the SRX crossover for the 2010 model year, they created a good blend of  comfort, style and handling that's resonated with luxury shoppers. By the end of 2010, the SRX dominated the market for small luxury crossovers in the U.S., selling over twice as many units as the second place Audi Q5.

As good as the SRX was,  Cadillac confused buyers with their odd choice of engines. The base model came with a 3.0 liter V-6, good for 265 horsepower, but not on par with competitive offerings from companies such as Lexus. Buyers could step up to a six-cylinder turbocharged engine in the SRX, but only in all-wheel-drive variants that topped the price range. The least expensive SRX Turbo was the $49,315 Performance Collection model, quite a stretch from the base SRX’s $33,830 starting point. For the money, the Turbo’s additional 35 horsepower was hard to justify, and buyers largely ignored Turbo SRX models in dealer inventory. To no one’s surprise, GM announced that they were discontinuing production of SRX Turbo models last February.

For the 2012 Cadillac SRX, GM brings us good news about their choice of engines. Last year’s 3.0 liter V-6 is gone, replaced by a 3.6-liter, direct-injection V-6 good for 300 horsepower. Fuel economy ratings haven’t yet been finalized, but Cadillac expects the 2012 SRX to have comparable fuel economy to last year’s 3.0 liter V-6, which got 18 miles per gallon city and 25 miles per gallon highway. The new engine has FlexFuel capability, meaning it will run on ethanol blends up to E85.

Other changes for the 2012 Cadillac SRX include standard Bluetooth phone integration across the model range, machined-finish 20 inch wheels on Performance and Premium trim levels and a heated steering wheel on Luxury, Performance and Premium trim levels. Pricing will be set closer to the 2012 SRX’s debut in late summer.