The 2010 Cadillac SRX is here, and that in itself is commendable. Despite the inner turmoil, cuts, nips and tucks plaguing GM in recent times, Cadillac has managed to bring a straight forward, sound and sophisticated compact sport utility vehicle to market. The SRX is what it needs to be – a sensible take on the compact utility vehicle.

SRX has the persona of the uncle or brother-in-law who has pulled himself together after a rough bout. Accordingly, on the outward edge, the SRX had good looks going for it. While the grille gleams prestige, it’s more of a reminder of where Cadillac entered into the equation — a historic marque that seemed on target to take back it’s rightful place in the luxury game, with great cars and SUVs. Rewind to the beginning of the decade, and narrow in on 2004, when this Baby Escalade tread in the footsteps of the large SUV class ruler. PC or not, in those yester-years, car companies of all creed clamored for the profitable large luxury SUV business, from the Porsche Cayenne to the Audi Q7. Then, fast forward to the critically-acclaimed Cadillac CTS that changed the brand’s game — a car that could go toe to toe with the best of them. Goodbye tuna boat rep.

The product planning for the new SRX was already in motion when the impending disaster hit, and here is perhaps the last in the life cycle in form language message from the Cadillac marque for the moment.

The inside of SRX feels a bit like an inflated — CTS — and that’s a good thing. The interior placement is well thought out with a sensible balance of technology and comfort planning.

Here’s where things get tough — there’s expansive fare in this segment from the Audi Q5 to Lexus RX 350 to the Lincoln, and the competition takes the cake on the track. So Cadillac edges in where it can in it’s current predicament — best pricing. The base MSRP is $34,155, and with acceptable numbers, it might be the right bang SRX needs to move units.

Assembled in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, the 3.0 L V-6 and 2.8 V-6 engines are gutsy enough to move the larger vehicle from place to place without too much lag time, and working for 18/24 combine fuel economy between the all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive models. GM has made leaps and bounds from the days of nearly single-digit fuel economy in these refined, more-efficient engines. While premium fuel is recommended, standard still is compatible. Luxury leanings such as a Bose stereo and hand-stitched accents are standard for the base MSRP $34,155. Extras such as a rear backup camera, LED ambient lighting and a 40 gig hard disc drive and USB port are among a dozen options.

2010 Cadillac SRX

When consumers make their decisions based on all sorts of factors, we’d encourage a bit of emotion to enter the purchase game. We think it’s commendable that in a sordid year that Cadillac managed to keep a car competitive — there’s much more that could have gone wrong. The Cadillac SRX feels right — a respectable offering from the company no expected to hear much of this year. In lieu of Black Friday, never underestimate the power of the American deal.

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Driven: 2010 Lexus RX 350 (blogs.thecarconnection.com)

Preview: 2010 Cadillac SRX (nationalpost.com)

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