Cadillac SRX

Cadillac SRX: which version to buy

If you are choosing a Cadillac SRX rather than reading a brochure, the numbers sort the catalogue into a few real options. Across three catalogue generations the body stays SUV 5-doors. The first generation (1 January 2004–30 June 2009) is the only one with an 8-cylinder 4.6 AT, RWD, 208 mm ground clearance and a 76 L tank.

If you are choosing a Cadillac SRX rather than reading a brochure, the numbers sort the catalogue into a few real options. Across three catalogue generations the body stays SUV 5-doors. The first generation (1 January 2004–30 June 2009) is the only one with an 8-cylinder 4.6 AT, RWD, 208 mm ground clearance and a 76 L tank. The second generation (1 July 2009–30 June 2012) and its restyling (1 July 2012–29 February 2016) drop the 8-cylinder layout, move the engine to Front, transverse, add a sixth gear on every listed Automatic, and cut measured clearance to 180 mm where that figure exists. The restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp FWD is the quickest 0–100 km/h in the whole file at 6.9 s. The first-generation 4.6 AT 324 hp RWD is next at 7.2 s. The only 2.8 AT in the file — second generation, 300 hp, Turbo, 400 Nm — is the torque-per-litre leader. There is no price data here, so “extra money” means extra displacement, extra cylinders, extra drive wheels, or a restyle date.

Generations: what actually changed between years to choose

1 generation (2004–2009) has 5 versions: two 3.6 AT at 255 hp and three 4.6 AT at 324 hp. Engine position is Front, longitudinal. Gearbox is Automatic with 5 gears on four versions and 6 gears on one 4.6 AT AWD. Drive is RWD or AWD. Fuel is Gasoline. Boost is No on all five. Ground clearance is 208 mm on every version. Tank is 76 L.

2 generation (2009–2012) has 9 versions. Names: 3.0 AT, 3.6 AT, and one 2.8 AT. Cylinders are 6, layout V-shaped, engine Front, transverse, gearbox Automatic 6. The 2.8 AT and several 3.0 AT list boost Turbo; the 3.6 AT versions list No. Tank is 79 L (+3 L versus 1 generation). Clearance, where measured, is 180 mm (−28 mm versus 1 generation).

2 generation, restyling (2012–2016) has 10 versions, all named 3.0 AT or 3.6 AT. The 2.8 AT does not return. Two restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp rows (one FWD, one AWD) are the only 92 octane 3.6 engines after 2009 and the only restyle engines with 7.1 s / 6.9 s 0–100. Two catalogue rows of restyle 3.0 AT 265 hp Turbo AWD share the same measured set (treat them as one specification listed twice).

A 2010 or 2011 Cadillac SRX is second generation. A 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2016 Cadillac SRX is restyling. A 2012 car sits on the 30 June / 1 July cut.

Engine options and specs (Cadillac SRX horsepower)

Use the exact catalogue names. Same names are split by power, drive, boost and injection.

The restyling lists the 3.0 AT 265 hp Turbo AWD twice with the same 198 kW, 8.4 s, 210 km/h, 16.1 / 8.5 / 11.3, 269 CO2, 1981 / 2480 kg.

Power per litre (hp ÷ litres): 2.8 AT 300 hp / 2.792 L = 107.4 hp/L. Restyle 3.0 AT 265 hp / 2.986 L = 88.7 hp/L. Second-generation 3.0 AT 271 hp / 2.986 L = 90.8 hp/L. 3.6 AT 318 hp / 3.564 L = 89.2 hp/L. First-generation 4.6 AT 324 hp / 4.565 L = 71.0 hp/L. First-generation 3.6 AT 255 hp / 3.564 L = 71.5 hp/L. The 8-cylinder does not win specific output; it wins peak Nm (420–425 versus 400 on the 2.8 AT and 360 on the later 3.6 AT).

Performance, mpg and fuel economy

0–100 km/h, fastest first (measured only): restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp FWD 6.9 s; restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp AWD 7.1 s; 1 generation 4.6 AT 324 hp RWD 7.2 s; both remaining 1 generation 4.6 AT AWD 7.4 s; 2 generation 2.8 AT 300 hp 7.5 s; 2 generation 3.0 AT 269 hp FWD 7.7 s; 1 generation both 3.6 AT 255 hp 8.1 s; restyle 3.0 AT 265 hp FWD 8.2 s; restyle 3.0 AT 265 hp Turbo AWD 8.4 s. A large block of 3.0 AT and 3.6 AT (249, 269, 271, 314, 318 hp) sits at 8.5 s. Restyle 3.6 AT 314 hp FWD: 0–100 not measured.

AWD cost in seconds on the same named engine: restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp AWD is 0.2 s slower than FWD. 1 generation 4.6 AT AWD is 0.2 s slower than RWD (7.4 vs 7.2). Restyle 3.0 AT 249 hp FWD and AWD are both 8.5 s — drive does not change the measured sprint there. Restyle 3.0 AT 265 hp FWD at 8.2 s is 0.2 s quicker than the Turbo AWD twin at 8.4 s, despite No boost versus Turbo.

Top speed, measured: 1 generation 4.6 AT (all three) 225 km/h — the catalogue peak. Restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp FWD and AWD 220 km/h. Restyle 3.0 AT 265 hp FWD 217 km/h. Restyle 3.0 AT 265 hp Turbo AWD 210 km/h. 2 generation 2.8 AT 209 km/h. 3.0 AT 249 hp AWD (both generations) 205 km/h. Many 3.6 AT 314/318 hp rows: 200 km/h. 1 generation 3.6 AT: 201 km/h. Not measured: 1 generation none for top speed; 2 generation 3.0 AT 269 hp FWD and 3.0 AT 249 hp FWD; restyle 3.0 AT 249 hp FWD.

Fuel (L/100 km) where measured:

• Restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp FWD: city 13.8, highway 9.8, mixed 12.4 — lightest mixed figure among later 3.6 rows that have a mixed number.
• Restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp AWD: 14.7 / 10.2 / 13.1. AWD adds 0.7 L/100 km mixed versus FWD.
• Restyle 3.6 AT 314 hp AWD: 16.3 / 8.6 / 11.5. Mixed is 1.6 L/100 km lower than the 308 hp AWD, even though 0–100 is 8.5 s versus 7.1 s.
• 3.0 AT 249 hp AWD and 3.0 AT 265 hp Turbo AWD (2 generation and restyle, where listed): 16.1 / 8.5 / 11.3, CO2 269. Mixed 11.3 is 1.1 lower than restyle 3.6 AT 314 hp AWD.
• 1 generation 3.6 AT 255 hp RWD: 13.8 / 10.7 / 11.8.
• 1 generation 3.6 AT 255 hp AWD: 19.1 / 11 / 14. AWD adds 2.2 L/100 km mixed versus RWD on the same 255 hp name.
• 1 generation 4.6 AT AWD 5-speed: 23.3 / 12.8 / 16.7.
• 1 generation 4.6 AT AWD 6-speed: 14.7 / 11.8 / 13.1. Same 324 hp and AWD, mixed −3.6 L/100 km versus the 5-speed row.
• Not measured consumption: 1 generation 4.6 AT RWD; 2 generation 3.6 AT 318 hp, 2.8 AT, 3.0 AT 269 hp FWD, 3.6 AT 314 hp; restyle 3.0 AT 249 hp FWD, 3.6 AT 318 hp AWD, 3.0 AT 265 hp FWD, 3.6 AT 314 hp FWD.

Eco class is not measured on every version.

Weight, dimensions, tank, wheels

Kerb / hp (lower is less mass per horsepower), using measured kerb only:

• 1 generation 4.6 AT RWD 1985 kg / 324 hp = 6.13 kg/hp.
• Restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp FWD 1940 / 308 = 6.30 kg/hp.
• 2 generation 2.8 AT 2041 / 300 = 6.80 kg/hp.
• 1 generation 3.6 AT RWD 1935 / 255 = 7.59 kg/hp.
• Typical second-generation / restyle 3.0 AT 1981 / 249 = 7.96 kg/hp; 1981 / 318 = 6.23 kg/hp on 3.6 AT 318 hp AWD.
• Restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp AWD kerb is listed as 2520 kg (8.18 kg/hp). Gross on that row is not measured. Treat 2520 as the measured kerb in the file, not as a guess.

Gross weight: 2675 kg on 1 generation 3.6 AT RWD and 4.6 AT AWD 6-speed. Later 3.0 AT rows often 2480 kg; later 3.6 AT often 2520 kg. Not measured gross: several 1 generation 4.6 AT / 3.6 AT AWD rows, 2 generation 2.8 AT, 3.0 AT 269 hp FWD, restyle 3.0 AT 265 hp FWD, restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp both drives.

Clearance: 208 mm (1 generation, all five) versus 180 mm (2 generation 2.8 AT, 3.0 AT 269 hp FWD; restyle 3.0 AT 265 hp FWD and both 3.6 AT 308 hp). Other rows: clearance not measured.

Tank: 76 L (1 generation) versus 79 L (later). Wheels: 1 generation 3.6 AT RWD and all 4.6 AT use 235/60 R18 and 255/55 R18; 1 generation 3.6 AT AWD uses 235/65 R17 and 255/60 R17. Later measured wheels: 235/65 R18 and 235/55 R20. Not measured wheels: 2.8 AT, several 3.0 AT / 3.6 AT 308 hp rows.

Rear brakes: 1 generation 3.6 AT RWD and 4.6 AT AWD 6-speed list Disc; most others Disc ventilated or Ventilated disc at the front. Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear on every version.

Which Cadillac SRX version to choose

If the sprint is the filter: restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp FWD (6.9 s, 220 km/h, mixed 12.4, kerb 1940 kg, fuel 92). If you need AWD, the same 308 hp AWD is 7.1 s and mixed 13.1. No other catalogue name is quicker.

If you want the 8-cylinder and 2004–2009 years: 4.6 AT 324 hp. Choose RWD for 7.2 s and 6.13 kg/hp. Choose AWD 6-speed over AWD 5-speed: same 324 hp, mixed 13.1 versus 16.7, torque 425 Nm versus 420 Nm, fuel 95 versus 92. Top speed stays 225 km/h. Consumption on RWD is not measured.

If you want the unique 2.8 engine (2009–2012 only): 2.8 AT 300 hp Turbo AWD, 400 Nm at 1850 rpm — the lowest torque peak rpm in the file. 0–100 7.5 s, top 209 km/h, kerb 2041 kg, clearance 180 mm. City, highway, mixed, CO2, gross, wheels: not measured.

If you want later years (2012–2016) without the 308 hp 3.6: the restyle 3.6 AT 318 hp AWD matches second-generation 318 hp (8.5 s, 200 km/h, 360 Nm). Fuel on both 318 hp rows is not measured. The restyle 3.6 AT 314 hp AWD adds a mixed 11.5 figure the 318 hp lacks, at the same 8.5 s / 200 km/h. Restyle 3.6 AT 314 hp FWD has 0–100 not measured.

If you want a 3.0 AT: do not treat every 3.0 AT as equal. 249 hp (2997 cc, 301 Nm at 3200, boost No) is the lowest power in the later generations. 265 / 269 / 271 hp share 2986 cc and 302 Nm at 5100. On 2 generation, 3.0 AT 269 hp FWD is 7.7 s with top speed not measured; the Turbo AWD 269 / 271 / 265 hp rows are 8.5 s and 200 km/h. On the restyle, 3.0 AT 265 hp FWD is 8.2 s and 217 km/h — faster and higher-speed than the Turbo AWD 265 hp at 8.4 s / 210 km/h. Mixed 11.3 appears on the 249 hp AWD and Turbo AWD 265 hp, not on the FWD 265 hp (consumption not measured there).

If fuel is the filter among measured mixed figures: later 3.0 AT AWD 11.3; restyle 3.6 AT 314 hp AWD 11.5; 1 generation 3.6 AT RWD 11.8; restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp FWD 12.4; 1 generation 4.6 AT 6-speed AWD 13.1; 1 generation 3.6 AT AWD 14.0; 1 generation 4.6 AT 5-speed AWD 16.7. Highway on later 3.0 AT AWD is 8.5, better than 1 generation 3.6 AT RWD at 10.7, but city is worse (16.1 versus 13.8).

If ground clearance is the filter: 1 generation, any version, 208 mm. Later measured rows are 180 mm.

If years-to-avoid is the search: this file has no reliability, engine-light, oil, or replacement-cost data. The numerical split is only: 1 generation ends 30 June 2009; 2 generation ends 30 June 2012; restyling ends 29 February 2016. Missing figures (consumption, kerb, clearance, 0–100) are listed as not measured above — they are gaps in the catalogue, not proof that the parameter does not exist.

Short pairing: restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp FWD for the lowest 0–100; restyle 3.6 AT 308 hp AWD if that engine must have AWD; 1 generation 4.6 AT RWD for 8 cylinders and 225 km/h; 1 generation 4.6 AT AWD 6-speed if the 8-cylinder must have AWD and a mixed figure; 2.8 AT if 400 Nm at 1850 rpm matters more than a mixed mpg number; 3.0 AT 249 hp AWD if you want the later mixed 11.3 on a 3.0 name; restyle 3.0 AT 265 hp FWD if you want 217 km/h from a 3.0 AT.