How the SRX compares with the competition

[Noreaster]

A number of interested buyers post here looking for an answer to this question. Rather than repeat myself each time, I thought I'd open this thread and introduce it with this article I found that quite well states the comparo:

http://www.smartmoney.com/autos/newc...2004&hpadref=1

Here's the text from the smartmoney.com article:

Lexus RX 330
Lexus has completely redesigned the RX for 2004, making it roomier, more powerful and more luxurious. The new 3.3-liter V-6 engine produces 10 more horsepower than the previous model. The suspension favors a smooth ride over aggressive handling, and as with all Lexuses, the posh leather-and-wood-trimmed interior is very quiet. Attention to the small details, such as auto-dimming rearview mirrors inside and out, also boosts the luxury quotient. In this test of overall merit, the Lexus doesn't quite match the Infiniti or Cadillac in handling, nor the Volvo in styling or capability. But it's a well-rounded package with a lot of bang for your buck.

Cadillac SRX
The SRX's low-to-the-ground stance is more suggestive of a station wagon than of an SUV, and the seating position is similarly at wagon level. It's available with a V-6 or V-8, and either of these can be had with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The V-6 on my test car delivered surprisingly ample power, even with six adults inside. With 50/50 weight distribution front-to-back and a stability control system, the SRX remains remarkably stable when you throw it into a sharp, fast turn — as you will no doubt be tempted to do.

Inside and out, it wears the sharply creased styling that is Cadillac's calling card these days. But radical angles and leather seats aside, my test car's interior looked a bit dowdy, with just a smidgen of polished wood to break up the gray plastic dash (the V-8 has a more upscale interior, or V-6 buyers can opt for a luxury package). The generous leg room in the first and second rows does not carry over to the optional, Lilliputian third row, which folds at the push of a button.

Acura MDX
Though it has leather seats and wood trim, the Acura doesn't exude the overall luxury of the Lexus or the Volvo. Rather, it's the workhorse of the bunch — albeit an elegant one — and an all-around performer. Like the Volvo and Cadillac, the Acura offers a third-row bench that seats two kids and folds flat into the cargo floor. Though the car is 6 inches shorter than the Cadillac, that third-row seat offers a whopping 5 more inches of leg room. And with the third row in use, it still has enough cargo space for a few small suitcases. Plus, each half of the third row folds down separately, unlike the Cadillac's, which folds in one piece.

The MDX's engine is on the small side, but it produces reasonable acceleration from a stop. I did notice a bit more roll in turns than with the Cadillac or Infiniti, but thanks to its crisp, responsive steering, the MDX always feels under control.

Infiniti FX35
One glance at the FX's narrow slit headlights and low, streamlined profile tells you this is no mild-mannered grocery hauler. Even at idle, the V-6 rumbles insistently. On the road, the FX lives up to its promise — this is truly an SUV that thinks it's a sports car. Though a V-8 engine is also available, the V-6 that I drove packed a massive punch, especially with a $4,400 package that included 20-inch wheels and a sport-tuned suspension. Thus equipped, it chewed up twisty roads with a sure grip and almost no body roll. The interior echoed the sports-car feel, with aluminum trim and bolstered leather seats.

Of course, you pay a price for all these thrills. I took my family for a country drive and was shocked — shocked! — that they weren't having as much fun as I was. With those monster wheels, the ride can be rough, especially for backseat passengers. The FX seats only five and has the smallest cargo capacity of this group. At the rear, the roof line slopes dramatically into wide pillars, which looks pretty cool until you notice the lousy rear visibility.

Volvo XC90
While the Infiniti is the most fun to drive, the Volvo takes the prize for its superior comfort, versatility and safety features. In Volvo's case, safety goes beyond the side-curtain airbags and traction control offered by all five competitors. It also features a rollover protection system, which instantly applies brakes to certain wheels and reduces engine speed when it senses a rollover is imminent. Handling is secure through tight turns. The Volvo loses points for its steering, which feels numb. It's also the heaviest of the five and takes its time accelerating from a stop, but it has plenty of power for highway passing. The XC90 buries Volvo's once-dumpy image. Its curvaceous exterior lines and lovely wood-trimmed blond leather interior remind us there's more to Swedish style than Ikea. Of the competitors that offer third-row seats, Volvo's is the quickest and easiest to fold — a one-handed operation with the headrests automatically popping into place. The standard T6 is very well equipped — with leather upholstery, six-disc CD changer, moonroof and eight-way power front seats — so you can skip most of the optional add-ons.

[mwinog2777]

"but they're not meant for offroading any more than Paris Hilton was meant for farm living"

The above is excerpted from the article.

I've done some great trips with the SRX on difficult backcountry dirt roads, where some extra clearance was necessary. Haven't crossed deep desert washes yet, but never plan to. Depends what you plan to do with the vehicle.

What does "off-road" mean? Great car for long rutted dirt roads in rural Arizona.