I just got a SRX, while my G6 was being serviced, and decided to do a quick little review on it.

back story on getting it as a loaner vehicle
https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=724486



Perspective on me... I have a decent amount of experience with 2 Lexus SUVs, the R330 I believe? My inlaws have them, and my Mom-in-law has stayed with us for a month or two, so I have gotten to travel, move stuff and drive it. I own a G6, had f-bodies before, my family is pretty GM, so I am slightly biased.



First... Looks.

I like the looks, some might not. My mom and wife are looking small little SUVs, so obviously the equinox is on the list(I hate the grill), my wife likes the Saturn Vue, and I finally just saw a GMC terrain, which is hideous in person, my, my mom's, and my wife's opinion. I like the SRX, took it to school got alot of compliments from my classmates, etc... My wife likes it, my mom hates it.

Interior is really really nice, remember I am coming from f-bodies/G6, so almost anything is nice. Thing that I really liked, the accent lighting. They had subtle accent lighting at night by the floorboards and in the dash/door sills, you barely noticed but noticed. So much so I plan to wire in some small LEDs in my g6 in just for fun.

Leather interior, everything was comfortable and in good reach, loved the cupholders, center/console, etc... I liked the LCD nav screen in the middle of the speedo. Though the "proximaty warning" system was annoying. I can see why some would like it, but it went ape**** in my garage just pulling out of it like normal. Easily compared if not slightly beat the lexus SUVs.

One thing I realy liked and think should be standard, is a MPG meter on the dash. Yes I know alot of cars have them including my own and even my dad's 2k2 dodge ram(he also said a 70s grand prix of his had it too) It was just a needle to tell you if your driving habits were good or bad as you drive. I honestly think that is one of the easiest ways to improve fuel mileage in a vehicle.

Interior Usage... It was 10 times better then a 4-door sedan, trunk was big, and much more useful then the lexus, back seat was roomier then the lexus. Trunk push button open/close feature was identical to the lexus.

Sunroof was cool as hell, massive, but have a sunshade to cover it up. See pics below....

All and all GM really stepped it up, then again its a $35-42k SUV, but I'd put it right up there with the lexus SUV.

Driveability... this is wear it sucks.

-Brakes were amazing, better then my G6...
-Handling, sucked even coming from a G6, granted the ride was smooth and it is a SUV, what do you expect?
-Tranny, had a 6-speed auto, sport shift mode is lame as usual, One thing I wish my g6 had was a 6-speed auto, but honestly I hated how this tranny shifted, it would downshift and do its thing, but never felt fast, also the tranny seemed to "hang" on gears, even at 1/3-1/2 throttle you let up and the RPMs hung, just felt cheap. It actually drove me nuts, never had a vehicle drive like this before.

-Engine... 3.0 VVT DI, 265 hp I believe, I didn't like it, yes it had power, but the power was above 4k, I know it seems to be the fad to have a ohc motor with big power but its all upper RPM. Looks good on paper but in normal driving is kind of annoying. It moved, you could survive in traffic, but seems like you had to wait for the motor to rev up before it moved. My 224 hp ohv 3.5L G6 feels better around town, it just goes, doesn't feel like I am winding out to do work, no wait it just goes. Good way to describe is comparing my 92 5.0, to my 3.8L v6 camaro. My Camaro was track times proven faster, but the 5.0 just felt more solid and by far more enjoyable.


Overall, I honestly wouldn't buy that engine/tranny combo just felt cheap/weak. I have driven trucks that were slower but they felt solid. I was actually happy to get back into my car(imagine that from a $40k SUV) after the SUV. It had all kinds of cool stuff, and interior quality was amazing but I didn't really like the driveability.

Maybe mine had issues, maybe I am not a fan of little Suvs, hard to say.

So everything I give on the Car, I'll give a thumbs up.
Drivetrain, I honestly would try another combo, thought it sucked with this comvo.

I honestly would pass on the setup, and driving it really has me thinking about all the cars that may be getting that tranny/engine setup to really make sure I get a good testdrive in them before I would buy.



I am not a magazine that drives 3-series Bimmers daily or gets paid. Just a normal guy.





Pics of the one I had...

 

I was in love with the 2010 SRX... until I saw it in person. Its much smaller than I thought it would be. (my daily driver is a 2002 Tahoe so I guess I like big.) For bang for the buck, I'd rather get the Equinox LTZ, however I was impressed with the CTS Wagon. If I still had rug rats at home it would be a toss between the two.

Luckily for me I don't so...

 

I haven't driven one, but your comments echo pretty much everything I've heard ... mainly that the drivetrain is the real let down in this car. Although I'd be willing to bet the shortcomings attributed to the drivetrain really have their root at the car's excessive weight: 4200 - 4500 lbs. If they didn't have to tune the drivetrain to try to mask its heft, it would probably be a more pleasing vehicle all around. But as has been noted endlessly around here, that seems to be the flaw in most new GM vehicles.

 

I didn't know the weight...


my G6 weighed in at 3350 on a scale.... with 224 hp 3.5L v6 it would stomp this thing, and my car only ran high 15s, but substract torque management and its "roll power" its like a solid mid to low 15s car.


the SRX even with 265 hp, felt like a 185 hp ecotec in my car(which I test drove extensively and passed do to feeling underpowered)


I'll admit the lexus I drove, no clue on the exact power/tranny setup, but if felt more solid.

 

Your review is in line with what I've seen in other places. I love the looks of it, as I do the CTS, but they really struck out on the drivetrain side of the house. IMO they should offer a twin scroll, turbo 4 and a 325hp DI V6.

 

**** I think a 3.6L DI with 6-speed auto might not have been too bad.

 

I agree...should have had the 3.6SIDI @ 280hp range.