Long-Term Road Tests

I have a 2007 SRX with the V8 and six speed automatic. Also the nav. I took it on a trip to Michigan (over 2000 mile round trip). I averaged nearly 21 MPG (did not cruise above 70 MPH). I found the nav useful, but on some roads it did indicate a turn where no intersecting roads even existed. Even though the nav is useful, a good paper highway map is still a good thing to have. I really liked the nav going through Chicago and Minneapolis.

Agreed 1487. But in this class of middle-sized SUVs, I personally think the lack of a space-occupying third row that isn't big enough to be useful on a daily basis shows appropriate restraint. The engineer in me thinks 20" wheels are another nod toward marketing that doesn't help the performance of comfort-oriented vehicles as much as it hurts. And the SRX's own impressive V6 makes the V8 option seem unnecessary.
 
As it stands, our V6-equipped SRX with "tiny" 17-inch tires and no third-row is a better drive than the RX. Great! Stop there and reduce production complexity to increase the profit margin, drop the price or add more electronic gee-gaws inside. Who knows? This might be exactly what the upcoming BRX is all about.

"Additionally, there are several features and options that are not available on the Lexus RX, such as the Ultraview sunrrof and power fold down third row seats. I would also make the case that the new SRX interior is nicer than the Lexus RX too. "
 
Thats always the case. Almost every car is missing features but it would be nice to see them mentioned regardless of vehicle. The RX also lacks 3rd row, 6 speed auto/V8 combo, 20" wheels, magneride, etc. Point being if the "benchmark" for the class doesnt even have all the latest gadgets it shouldnt be a huge deal that the SRX doesnt have every single bell and whistle.
 
I dont need Bluetooth but that is not to say it shouldnt be offered.

Stingray
 
I understand about the parking assist, and our SRX has it too. It works well enough, but since I'm not a bat the whole echo-location thing doesn't feel natural. I'd rather see back there.
 
Its not really a knock on the SRX. It was developed in 2002, before the back-up camera hit it big.

Not to fear estreka, I hear the Aura's steering column cover fell off again under Donna DeRosa's watch... time to grab some popcorn. :-)
  
On the topic of the SRX, I was really surprised by the limited headroom in back with the panoramic moonroof. I was almost brushing the headliner and I'm just a hair over 6'. Sure drove great though.
  
As for Bluetooth, it absolutely rocks. Never thought much about it (was originally ambivalent) until I got it with iDrive on my car. The integration, sound quality, and phonebook sync are great! BMW puts a phone button on the wheel and the phonebook/dialing commands are all voice activated. Shweet.

Aw, bimmer. You missed the argument about regional preferences and how that's somehow related to the SRX...and...somehow related...and...Camry...Honda & Driver...Detroit...wah...
 
Where am I going with this?

Huh?
 
I think I've been pretty clear that I generally like this car. Does it have shortcomings? Yes. Every car does. Does every car customer have the same priorities? No. I simply point out what I see. I'm not telling you what to think. Readers decide if it's a particular shortcoming or missing feature is a big deal to them or not.
 
This isn't a domestic / import issue at all.

" in SoCal where no one buys domestic cars"
 
I do recall a Chevrolet commercial that plainly states that more Chevys are sold in Southern California than anywhere else in the country. If GM advertises it, it's gotta be true.
 
Furthermore, the false concensus you accuse Southern California dwellers for having in regards to SRX visibility is equally on display in your comment regarding Bluetooth. You don't use it, therefore nobody else needs it. I rarely talk on the cell phone too, but when I do, I prefer to have my hands where they belong -- on the wheel.
 
And for the record, I think the SRX is excellent.

"a decent nav system if you read the blog. "
 
I dont think that counts as a "missing" feature.
 
Bimmerjay,
 
I guess I'm not the only one impressed by your attempts at humor.
 
actualsize,
 
your comments are so telling. No wonder your staff is so skeptical about domestics. I'm sure none of you have owned a new domestic in the last 20 years and to compound it you guys live in SoCal where no one buys domestic cars so you probably presume that validates the general perception that "nobody" buys these inferior vehicles. I know its hard for people out there to understand, but these vehicles do sell in other parts of the country and that doesnt somehow mean that the rest of the country is somehow stylistically challenged or less trendy. You may not have this view personally but in my experience everyone on CarSpace from the west coast has the view. I see SRX's all the time and probably see 5 a week, if not more. It is hardly uncommon around here and if I didnt read the monthly sales reports I wouldnt even know it hasnt sold well.
 
its funny that you suggest the SRX is lacking pushbutton start because most of the media seems to find that option pointless, especially when its done BMW style where you have to insert the kery before starting the vehicle. Bluetooth would be nice I guess, but its incredible to me how some act like this option is indispensable now when 2 years ago few cars offered it. I dont talk on the phone enough while driving to make use of BT even if I had it.

My mother has nearly the identical SRX that Edmunds is testing, purchased 2 months before Edmunds got theirs. Same color and everything. Only difference is hers is an AWD model. I've driven it several times while visiting her, and I must say it is a really enjoyable vehicle. The surprising thing is how well it handles and rides. The steering is sharper and has better feel and feedback than my '02 Z06!
 
I agree with the navigation comments - while I like the touchscreen, the interface and functionality isn't nearly as good as my '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe's nav system (which was a great system, except that it wasn't touch screen).
 
Sunvisor extensions are a minor oversight (I wouldn't avoid buying the vehicle because of the lack of this one feature), however I certainly enjoy the extensions on my '99 Suburban. I don't think a backup camera is necessary if you have the backup park assist option which my mother's SRX has.
 
Bottom line is I think the SRX is a much more fun to drive vehicle than say the Lexus RX, and priced about the same. Additionally, there are several features and options that are not available on the Lexus RX, such as the Ultraview sunrrof and power fold down third row seats. I would also make the case that the new SRX interior is nicer than the Lexus RX too.
 
If you enjoy driving, the SRX is probably the best choice in its segment.
 
I've enjoyed reading Edmund's blog posts on their experience with the SRX to see if it lines up with my opinions of my mother's nearly identical vehicle. Reason I haven't had many comments is because for the most part I agree with the editor's opinions. Good job!

Thanks y'all. I'll be here all week, haha.
 
James, I might have to tip-toe that one into the Aura blog...

How many miles did you drive the srx until the oil monitor hit 0%? because i usually change my oil every 3000 miles and in my previous 04 suburban i would have a mesasge that appears telling me to change engine oil and that would be every 3000 miles. On my 07 tahoe that i have now i hit 3000 miles but the percentage it gives me is 67% oil life when i checked it.

Bimmerjay - Everybody knows GM invented the color red. A red Camry is blasphemy!
 
lol, nice prediction.
 
Edit: btw, I agree about little interest in a $60K jacked up station wagon. Though I could say the same for the Escalade...

Personally, regarding the SRX, I'm not interested because it seems as if it's been praised then damned by car mags too many times, and I've just written it off due to exhaustion with position changes. First, they loved it. A year later, it was a piece of crap. Then they redid the interior after a couple more years, and it's praise again. By next month it will again be crap. Same pattern for the CTS when it first came out in the late 80's, or 97, whenever. Same pattern for most American cars, unfortunately. I'm just waiting to feign interest on the new one- 2013, right?

I don't see them much here either and I'm in central Illinois. I dunno. I kind of find it hard to get excited about the mid-sized luxury SUV segment at all. I dunno, maybe the other similarly classed vehicles generate more posts.
 
Of course a good ole fashioned import vs domestic debate can get everyone's jets firing on full blown 'irrational'

the srx doesnt appeal to me that much, maybe its because of the out-of-proportion styling. plus, like others have said, i rarely see it on the road here in socal, i'd rather read about the kia sedona, and i am 23

"No, not there." Classic! Definitely the quote of the day (QOTD)! =Þ
 
Great one, too, bimmerjay!

bimmerjay, that would be my "Blog Comment of the Year" Nominee. Thank you, please feel free to re-post that on the Aura blog whenever possible.

I'd say responses are low because most people reading this blog can't afford a $60,000 station wagon and if they could, would likely buy something else. Or maybe I'm generalizing too much.

Yeah, age has a lot to do with it. Too bad. And I think model invisibility comes into play. I rarely see them in SoCal and have had no contact with one before taking this job.
 
The telescoping wheel is a bigee (power pedals don't provide the same benefit). Every day we bemoaned the lack of sunvisors that slide or extend when folded to the side - we had to roll down the window and pinch a pillowcase in for relief (heck, S-10 pickups used to have those with a second roof flap so you could cover front and side at once) a back-up camera to go along with the nav screen, decent-sized rear cup or water-bottle holders, more usable storage around the cabin, a digital clock (the analog one looks cheap and is too surrounded by reflective materials to see easily) and I could have used flip-up hatch glass, the ability to turn off auto-locking and the ability to use more of the nav features while moving.
 
Because the car is old, as you say, I won't ding it for the lack of a smart key or bluetooth. But I did miss both.