Cadillac SRX

A crossover from the US of A, the Cadillac SRX is a bit of an oddity here in the UK. Interesting, but not enough to actually justify buying one.

• Comfort

  Can shimmy over broken surfaces, so not actually that relaxing to drive when compared to rivals - doesn't seem to be able to cope with bumps. Or corners. Seasickness is a worry.

  

• Performance

  Either a 3.6-litre V6 or a 4.6-litre V8. The V6 gets a respectable 332bhp, 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds, 125mph top end and 20.2mpg. The big 396bhp V8 is faster again at 7.4 seconds for the sprint to 62mph and 140mph, but offers appalling economy at 16.9mpg (which you'll struggle to achieve in the real world).

  

• Cool

  About as cool as yellow dungarees and rainbow socks.

  

• Quality

  Feels cheap and badly designed (the rear wiper button is on the ceiling). No one in Europe is taking any notice of it as a threat to European small SUVs/Crossovers.

  

• Handling

  Softly sprung and poorly damped so that it bounces on UK roads, the SRX isn't the kind of car to attack a B-road with. Mind you, it's not the kind of car you want to attack any road with.

  

• Practicality

  You can actually get a seven-seat version, but it's woefully designed and the electric operation is glacial. There's plenty of room inside though, so there's a positive straw to grasp at.

  

• Running costs

  Group 17 or 18, not great value, sloppy residuals and cripplingly shit economy make this a terrible car to buy and own.