I spent a lot of time in our long-term Cadillac SRX this weekend, including driving it to a gig at Hansen Dam in Pacoima. Since the stage was very far from the parking lot, the Caddy did a little "off-roading" to pick up my keyboard gear (which included a keyboard, stand, cord bag, mic stand, amp stand, amp, and chair). It all fit very comfortably with the seats laid flat, but if there had been a passenger in back, the split-fold would have been equally fine.

Try as I might to be critical, I can't find any problems with the SRX. Considering its size, the load floor is nice and low, and the step-in is very comfortable and easy. (I'm 6'1 so it's easy, but it's way better than our Wrangler.) But it's just a great car. Power's always there when you need it (the V6 has the punch of a V8), sight lines are as good as they'll get on something of its size, and all the controls are easy and intuitive. It doesn't beep and whistle at you, and the button-push automatic hatch works every time (and without a symphony of beeps like an industrial garbage truck backing up).

Doug Lloyd, Senior Copy Editor, @ 24,689 miles

Our long-term SRX is back not only from it’s conquering of Oregon, but also from a trip to Martin Cadillac in Los Angeles. First and
foremost was an oil-change, full synthetic as with our previous changes. We
also needed them to look at issues surrounding our key-fob and sunroof. Both
issues have been documented throughout this blog.

 The sunroof was a known problem, easily fixed by lubing the
tracks as specified by a service bulletin. The key-fob had a recall issued,
#07007, which called for the remote to be reprogrammed. Both are now in
excellent working order at no cost to us. We’re glad to have our giant sunroof
back, and plan on testing it extensively this weekend.

Total cost to us: $89.45 for the synthetic oil change and inspection.

Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant @ 23,272 miles.

It's over. The 2007 Cadillac SRX is back in the Edmunds garage, safe and sound after a 2,076 mile there-and-back-again trip to visit our woodland neighbors to the north. Here's a recap:

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Today is our last day of of Oregon tour in the 2007 Cadillac SRX. We're cruising down California's dead-straight Highway 99 through the central valley. With the end in sight, the wife and kids are tiring of all of the miles on the road and want to sleep in their own beds and ditch the suitcases. Me too.

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Oregon is in our rear view mirror today as we head south for home in the 2007 Cadillac SRX. If there has been one recurring theme so far, it's this: the SRX drives very nicely, but the navigation system isn't good.

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Day 2 of our Oregon trip in the 2007 Cadillac SRX was a bit more scenic as we made our way from Sacramento to Weed to Tule Lake. The SRX's direct steering and flat cornering attitude made easy work of the sweeping mountain roads near Mt. Shasta.

Wildlife viewing at Tule Lake gave us a chance to appreciate the Caddy's truly massive sliding moonroof. It opens nearly three feet - enough for three of us to adopt the classic Marlin Perkins safari pose at once.

But after creeping along for 6 or so miles with it open on this gravel road, it proved reluctant to close again. I had to help it along with my fingertips to get it to shut. There wasn't much dust flying up there, so the up-and-out mechanism must be sensitive to trace amounts. We'll try cleaning and lubing the tracks. Still, I'm afraid it'll get stuck if I open it again - it's supposed to rain in the next couple of days. 

Day 2 Fuel: 303.5 miles, 16.8 gallons added for 18.0 mpg (uphill most of the day)

Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 21,615 miles

It's day one of our annual Oregon road trip. So far, the 2007 Cadillac SRX is proving to be a pleasant companion indeed. The V6 engine makes decent power and I'm liking the way it rides and drives: less trucky than a big SUV and less bloated than a minivan.

Route 66-like attractions still exist just off the beaten path. The trick is finding them. Thanks to "Eccentric California", a guidebook of roadside oddities, we found out about Aerodogs - a hot dog stand built from the hulk of a Convair T-29A trainer airplane.

Cadillac's easy-to-use navigation system allowed us to add a mid-route waypoint with a few simple keystrokes. Our only gripe is that we had to come to a dead stop to do it. My wife, riding shotgun, had two free hands, and the SRX, like every other modern car, has a passenger detection system connected to the airbags. It's a shame the driver distraction lobby doesn't see the logic of hooking one to the other so that passengers can make address inputs while underway.

The hot dogs were pretty good too. But I'm regretting the decision to get chili on my Polish dog right about now.

First tank fuel economy: 373.8 miles, 19.7 gallons added for 19.0 mpg.

Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 21,312 miles

The impish key fob on our 2007 Cadillac SRX continues to taunt and tease us with its playful games. We'd reported that it behaved unpredictably during a recent road trip to Wyoming. That pattern continued last night. The fob worked fine when it came to locking the car after exit, but when entering, I was forced to use the key.

Same thing for this morning. Keep being that naughty, key fob, and I'll have to send you to your room.

We'll have the issue investigated during the SRX's upcoming trip to the dealer.

Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor @ 20,745 miles.

After 13 days and more than 3,000 miles, the SRX is back in Southern California. Following is a brief pictorial of its journey.

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I suppose these guys came from OSH too?

The SRX is on the return trip now -- somewhere in Utah with poachable wireless. Short of an infuriating key fob failure and a few navigation-induced wild goose chases, the SRX is treating us right. Look for a full update when my provider is legit.

Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor @ 19,680 miles

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