Sneak Peek

Early driving impressions on General Motors Corp.'s Cadillac SRX are promising.

While the auto maker isn't permitting formal test drives until later this spring, GM offered Ward's and other media the opportunity to test drive pre-production SRXs at its winter proving grounds in Kinross, MI.

Thanks to a dazzlingly engineered integrated chassis control system, the all-wheel drive SRX out-dueled the Lexus RX 300, Volvo XC90 and Mercedes M-Class on ice sheets and snowfields. Only BMW's X5 could hang.

SRX's Stabilitrak maintains control without stifling driver input and bringing the vehicle nearly to a dead halt, which was the case for the underwhelming M-Class.

Throughout testing, SRX doesn't fishtail, and the vehicle maintains a flat stance.

During excessive trial situations — traveling at roughly 50 mph (80 km/h) on an ice circle — SRX's only minor performance fault is exposed.

The yaw rate sensor and lateral accelerometer, which are part of SRX's active handling system, are calibrated too tightly.

After drifting sideways for a considerable period of time, the engine cuts off and SRX eventually stops and has to be restarted.

GM says it's been unable to replicate the issue in “real world” driving scenarios. But it promises to have the issue resolved for SRX production models. “We're still probing the internal diagnostics,” Dave Masch, program engineer tells Ward's. “It will be a minor change.”

Because the SRXs were engineering models, reaction to the interior is withheld.

Testing at Kinross was limited to SRXs equipped with the 4.6L 315-hp Northstar V-8 (a 3.6L V-6 also will be available).

There was no opportunity to assess the powerplant at high speed for passing effectiveness.

But off the line, with the front tires on dry pavement and back wheels on ice, the 4.6L grabs on quickly and provides a nice torque surge.

SRX arrives at dealerships this summer.