2011 EscaladeCadillac SRX

Performance and safety are enhanced by an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system designed to optimize vehicle handling and stability in all driving conditions. The pre-emptive, active-on-demand system provides an extra measure of capability in wet or icy conditions.
Photo: 2011 EscaladeCadillac SRX
Design details
The SRX’s dynamic exterior features a dramatic diving gesture on the body side to impart the feeling of movement, even at rest. A multi-piece shield grille and Cadillac’s iconic vertical headlamps – with light pipe technology and available adaptive forward lighting – are the face of the SRX. They blend into a tightly wrapped, sweeping body that tapers downward at the rear of the vehicle, creating a sporty profile.
Photo: 2011 Cadillac SRX
The SRX has a wide stance, minimal overhangs and wheels pushed to corners. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard and 20-inch wheels are offered. A bold accent line dives across the body side and culminates at a chrome front fender vent that incorporates a side marker lamp. An integrated spoiler on the rearward edge of the roof extends the sleek lines and improves aerodynamics.
An integrated center stack houses controls for climate and audio systems, while the navigation system rises from the center of the instrument panel. A signature example of the SRX’s attention to detail is the Cadillac script logos in the front door sill plates that illuminate when the doors are opened.
Advanced technology and entertainment systems
SRX features numerous advanced electronic systems. Highlights include a “pop-up” navigation screen in the dashboard with three-dimensional imaging, adaptive forward lighting that swivels the headlamps in synch with vehicle steering, power liftgate with programmable height setting, integrated hard disc drive for audio storage and a dual-screen system for rear entertainment.
Photo: 2011 Cadillac SRX
Bluetooth compatibility is standard, as is OnStar’s Turn-by-Turn Navigation service for buyers who do not select the navigation system option.
For 2011, the SRX is equipped with ninth-generation OnStar technology. The flexible speech recognition system is now smart enough to interpret different sentences/phrases without actually hearing the exact 2-3 word commands from the user. For example, a subscriber who wants to place a call using the Hands Free Calling System simply says: “I would like to make a phone call” or “Need to make a phone call” instead of saying the exact “dial” or “call” command. The system will understand that the user wants to place a call and process that command. The system is capable of recognizing thousands of sentences that users may say.
Photo: 2011 Cadillac SRX
Additionally, significant improvements have been made to OnStar’s flexible speech recognition system to allow it to better understand many regional dialects. This means that a subscriber in southern Louisiana will be just as easily understood as a subscriber in Long Island or Minnesota. OnStar engineers in North America and China performed extensive validation testing across four languages (English, French, Spanish and Mandarin), more than 30 different dialects and vehicle models in a wide range of driving and noise conditions.
Balanced performance and efficiency
The SRX is powered by a standard direct injected 3.0L V-6 that delivers 265 horsepower (198 kW) and has a six-speed automatic transmission. Direct injection results in more power, better fuel economy and lower emissions, all with a smaller-displacement package. The 3.0L engine uses variable valve timing to optimize power and fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. It is paired with a Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.
For 2011, powertrain calibrations have been made on the 3.0L V-6 models to improve acceleration feel. A 2.8L turbocharged V-6 is optional. It delivers an estimated 300 horsepower (224 kW) under full boost, with the fuel economy of a smaller engine during lower-load driving conditions, such as highway cruising. An Aisin AF40 six-speed automatic transmission is matched with the 2.8L turbo and includes a driver-selectable “eco mode” that alters transmission shift points to maximize fuel economy.