- The 2012 Cadillac SRX will start at $36,060, including an $875 destination charge, when it arrives in showrooms in August, reflecting a $570 price increase over the 2011 model with a smaller engine.
- The 2012 Cadillac SRX gets a 308-horsepower 3.6-liter direct-injection V6, a significant upgrade over the 265-hp 3.0-liter V6 in the 2011 SRX.
- The EPA says the 2012 Cadillac SRX gets worse fuel economy than the outgoing model.
DETROIT — The 2012 Cadillac SRX will start at $36,060, including an $875 destination charge, when it arrives in showrooms in August, reflecting a $570 price increase over the 2011 model with a smaller engine.
The 2012 Cadillac SRX gets a 308-horsepower 3.6-liter direct-injection V6, a significant upgrade over the 265-hp 3.0-liter V6 in the 2011 SRX. The engine is also flex-fuel capable, which means it can run on any blend of gasoline and ethanol up to E85. Cadillac notes the 2012 SRX also features a driver-selectable ECO Mode for "optimal fuel economy."
The EPA says the 2012 Cadillac SRX with the larger, more powerful engine gets worse fuel economy than the outgoing model. The 2012 SRX returns 17 mpg in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway when gasoline is used; it returns 12 mpg in city driving and 18 mpg on the highway when E85 is used. The 2011 SRX returns 18 mpg in city driving and 25 mpg on the highway.
Cadillac characterized the fuel economy as "comparable to predecessor engines" in a statement on Tuesday.
The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge on Tuesday said the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in the U.S. stood at $3.63, while the adjusted price for a gallon of E85 stood at $4.26.
Global oil demand will increase further next year, the International Energy Agency predicted on Tuesday. It said the demand is driven by emerging markets in places like China. A rise in demand is likely to be followed by a rise in gasoline prices.
The 2012 SRX gets standard Bluetooth on all models, an optional heated steering wheel, a xenon Blue Metallic exterior paint option that will be available in the fall, an all-ebony interior option with contrast stitching and a new 20-inch wheel finish option.
The base 2012 SRX still slots in below such competitors as the Lincoln MKX and Lexus RX, in terms of price. The 2011 Lincoln MKX starts at $39,790, including an $875 destination charge. The 2011 Lexus RX starts at $39,950, including an $875 destination charge.
Inside Line says: Interesting strategy for Cadillac to install a larger, thirstier engine, given the continuing angst over oil prices.
Add A Comment »
carpaul1 says:
03:49 AM, 07/28/2011
Caddy should take a page from Audi playbook (Turbo 2.0 and the V6 version).
Have the 3.6 as higher end model. And the 3.0 liter as the base. And reduce the price on the 3.0 liter.
SRX is the right size SUV for the compact luxury market. Caddy just has to fix the details.
I would not compare the MKX to it, Lincoln simply needs to revise and revisit its entire lineup and business model.
For my money though, I still go with the Q5 and BMW X3 in the marketplace for a compact luxury SUV. Though SRX is a good attempt and a competitive product. The Lexus is just too big nowadays.
90in55 says:
08:48 PM, 07/27/2011
General Motors has the American government and taxpaying public to thank for its survival and resurgence. Yet Cadillac is assembling this model in Mexico, denying hundreds of jobs to American workers who need them. I was all for the auto bailout, but stuff like this infuriates me.
lookatmyshoes says:
12:58 PM, 07/27/2011
What about a SRX-V to compete with the Jeep GC SRT?
A performance crossover should have better handling than an SUV because its lower center of gravity. Anyhow IMO the V line is is one of the only things that makes Cadillac exciting.
wjtinatl says:
12:46 PM, 07/27/2011
40k for a Equinox, no thanks. Had one as a rental and found it very underwhelming as a Cadillac. Conversely, the base Equinox feels better than the sum of it's parts would suggest. Big difference in expectation between a 25k Chevy and a 40k Caddy.
albook says:
12:04 PM, 07/27/2011
The 2011 Lincoln MKX starts at $39,790
They can't sell more than 15 of those a month.
dang8 says:
11:23 AM, 07/27/2011
Why did the editors at IL feel compelled to include paragraphs #5 abd #6 in this article? Americans are reminded of the regional cost of fuel relative to their location on a weekly basis when they fill up. A simple cost-benefit analysis reveals that a 1MPG city/highway penalty for the additional performance is certainly acceptable.
half_ton says:
10:51 AM, 07/27/2011
Lexus invented this segment and is a sales leader over all other nameplates so the cost factor may not be that significant. Lincoln is well . . . anyone care to fill in the blank?
blackdynamite0 says:
10:38 AM, 07/27/2011
It has less room and std features than Lexus/Lincoln
E85 gas really sucks!
BD
lions208487 says:
09:54 AM, 07/27/2011
A modest increase considering the power upgrade, and it's still less than the Lexus and Lincoln.
stovt001 says:
08:57 AM, 07/27/2011
1 MPG loss is probably less important to a Cadillac buyer than the significant power gain.