The 2010 Cadillac SRX is available in both FWD and AWD configurations, and can be fitted with a direct-injected 3.0-liter V6 or a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. The 3.0-liter engine produces 265 horsepower (HP) and 223 foot pounds of torque, while the turbocharged V6 delivers 300 HP and 295 foot pounds of torque.

The EPA’s fuel economy estimates for the 3.0-liter equipped FWD Cadillac SRX are 18 city / 25 highway miles per gallon (MPG). The AWD 3.0-liter SRX is rated at 17 city / 23 highway, while the turbocharged AWD SRX is rated at 15 / 21.

We rolled up well over five hundred miles on the odometer of our 3.0-liter Radiant Silver SRX FWD Premium review unit and met the official mileage estimates with an average of 25.3 MPG on the Interstate highway and 19.8 MPG combined in winter temperatures.

Overall test period temperatures ranged from the twenty through forty degree range. Interstate highway testing temperatures were in the high thirties. The test vehicle was equipped with 20-inch aluminum wheels (base wheel size is 18-inches) and delivered with just over 300 miles on the odometer. (Fuel efficiency may rise after the engine has run through a proper break in period.)

Interstate Mileage Testing:
Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C off, heat on, driver seat heated, windows up: 24.8 MPG
Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, A/C off, heat on, driver seat heated, windows up: 25.9 MPG

The direct-injected 3.0-liter V6 does an acceptable job off the line in FWD trim. The SRX is hefty, with a curb weight of 4224 pounds for the 3.0-liter FWD SRX and 4307 for the AWD SRX.

The 2010 SRX is to be commended for its pair of instantaneous fuel economy displays. As always, we recommend the conscientious use of an instant fuel-economy gauge to help develop a light-footed fuel-efficient driving technique.

In addition to the real-time fuel economy display, the 2010 SRX’s Driver’s Information Center displays current speed limit, navigation, tire pressure, oil life, average fuel economy, trip meter, and fuel range, among other data.

The SRX is equipped with a 21.0 gallon gas tank and is designed to run on regular unleaded fuel.

The SRX’s cabin is distinctive, comfortable, and packed with features for the driver and passengers alike. Our SRX Premium test unit was loaded up with all the goodies, starting with leather appointed seats with heated and ventilated front buckets. The 8-way power front seats provide power lumbar support and memory settings for the driver seat as well as for the outside mirrors. Passengers are treated with a heated and reclining 60/40 rear bench, three-zone heating and air-conditioning, and rear seat audio controls.

The optional rear seat entertainment system provides dual LCD screens with wireless headphones and remote control.

The SRX’s navigation system is housed in an 8-inch touch screen that rises dramatically from the dash. Backup and parking is a snap with a standard rear camera display and rear parking assist.

The ten-speaker XM Satellite-equipped Bose audio system provides auxiliary and USB inputs. A 40 GB internal hard drive provides plenty of on-board storage for digital music files. iPod support provides access to playlists from the dash and steering wheel controls. Bluetooth is standard and a year of On-Star service (with turn-by-turn navigation) is included, along with 90 days of XM Satellite radio.

The SRX is fitted with power outlets at the base of the dash, inside the center console, at the back of the console, and in the cargo area.

A power programmable liftgate is standard in the Premium model, along with remote keyless entry, adaptive remote start and adjustable pedals.

The SRX provides 61.1 cubic feet of cargo volume with the rear seats down. While our test unit was equipped with the U-Rail system, the adjustable cargo fence was not available at the time of testing.

The SRX provides innovations not found in other small crossover SUVs. The Ultra-View sunroof provides a remarkable view of the sky, while the Adaptive Forward Lighting system follows the SRX’s steering around curves.

All-in-all, the five-passenger 2010 Cadillac SRX delivers distinctive style and a solid ride, along with plenty of creature comforts, conveniences and tech goodies. We look forward to future models that deliver a significant upgrade in fuel economy.

While the Opel Antara is offered with a fuel-efficient clean diesel engine in Europe, America will likely see a hybrid variant to compete with the Lexus 450h.

The 2010 Chevy Equinox is available in both front-wheel (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, and can be fitted with a 2.4-liter inline four or 3.0-liter V6 engine. A six-speed automatic transmission is used exclusively. The four cylinder engine produces 182 horsepower (HP) and 172 foot pounds of torque, while the V6 delivers 260 HP and 222 foot pounds of torque.

The EPA’s fuel economy estimates for the four-cylinder equipped FWD 2010 Chevy Equinox are 22 city / 32 highway miles per gallon (MPG). The AWD Equinox is rated at 20 city / 29 highway MPG.

The Equinox delivers. We rolled up more than five hundred miles on the odometer of our Navy Blue Metallic AWD review unit and nailed the official mileage estimates with an average of 29.6 MPG on the Interstate highway and 25.4 MPG combined.

Overall test period temperatures ranged from the low seventies to low eighties. Interstate highway testing temperatures ranged from the mid seventies to eighty degrees. It’s worth noting that our test vehicle had just hundreds of miles on the odometer when delivered. We’d expect the fuel efficiency to rise once the engine is run through its break in period. Our highway testing showed little impact when running the A/C (the tenth a mile difference was due to road conditions during the A/C off cycle).

Interstate Mileage Testing:
Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C off, windows up (1-inch gap): 28.6 MPG
Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, A/C off, windows up (1-inch gap): 30.6 MPG
Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C on, windows up: 28.7 MPG

While the fuel-efficient inline four’s acceleration isn’t blistering, it’s adequate for the Equinox 2LT’s 3770 pound curb weight.

As always, we recommend driving with the instantaneous fuel economy display active, in order to achieve the best gas mileage with a light-footed driving technique.

In addition to the real-time fuel economy display, the 2010 Equinox’s Driver’s Information Center provides tire pressure data, oil life, average fuel economy, two trip meters, and fuel range, among other statistics.

An 18.0 gallon gas tank provides for a chart-topping highway range. Both the I4 and V6 engines are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel.

The 2010 Equinox is decidedly car-like as it delivers a comfortable and quiet ride.

Whether you’re headed to a soccer tournament across the state or to the mountains a day away, the five-passenger Equinox’s ride, fuel-efficiency and interior capacities and amenities are most welcome.

An 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support is standard on the Equinox 2LT, as is Bluetooth phone support. Leather appointed seats with heated front buckets are optional in the 2LT (and standard in the LTZ).

Climate control is single-zone and seat memory is available only in the LTZ (as standard equipment). OnStar is included.

When you shift the Equinox into reverse, the Equinox 2LT’s standard rearview mirror-based Rear Camera display activates, making backing chores less difficult.

The eight-speaker XM Satellite-equipped Pioneer audio system includes both auxiliary and USB inputs. iPod support is quite good, with access to playlists from the dash and steering wheel controls.

Our Equinox review unit was outfitted with the optional Audio System and dual screen DVD Rear Seat Entertainment package, complete with remote control and two headsets.

There are power outlet at the base of the dash, inside the center console, at the back of the console (along with A/V inputs for the game console), and in the cargo area.

Rear seat leg and headroom are abundant. The 60/40 split MultiFlex rear seat slides forward and backward to accommodate passengers and cargo. A power liftgate is optional on the 2LT and standard on the LTZ. The 2010 Equinox provides plenty of space for to haul your stuff home from Costco, with 63.7 cubic feet of cargo volume.

All-in-all, the 2010 Chevy Equinox has the potential to shake up the crowded five-seat crossover segment with its combination of ride, quiet, comfort, and fuel economy.

Available in both front-wheel (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, the top-of-the-line Traverse LTZ is fitted with a 3.6-liter V6 and Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission. The V6 produces 288 horsepower (HP) and 270 foot pounds of torque. (The Traverse LS and LT use a slightly less powerful, but similarly sized V6, with ratings of 281 HP and 266 foot pounds of torque.)

The EPA’s fuel economy estimates for the 2009 Chevy Traverse FWD LTZ are 17 city / 24 highway miles per gallon (MPG). The AWD Traverse is rated at 16 city 23 highway.

We put well over five hundred miles on the odometer of our Dark Cherry Metallic FWD review unit and eased past the official mileage estimates with an average of 25.6 MPG on the Interstate highway and 21.9 MPG combined.

Overall test period temperatures were in the upper sixties to low eighties. Interstate highway testing temperatures ranged from the high seventies to eighty degrees.

Interstate

• Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C off, windows up: 25.6 MPG
• Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, A/C off, windows up: 27.1 MPG
• Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C on, windows up: 24.0 MPG

Two-Lane County Highway

• Cruise control off, target speed 55-62 MPH, windows down, A/C & DVD on, 6 passengers: 22.4 MPG
• Cruise control off, target speed 55-62 MPH, windows up, A/C off, 6 passengers: 26.3 MPG

The seven-passenger Traverse provides a solid combination of fuel-efficiency and performance. The 22.0 gallon gas tank allows a generous amount of range on the open road, while the V6 is designed to run on regular unleaded fuel.

The Driver’s Information Center provides two trip meters, average fuel economy, instant fuel economy, and tire pressure data, among other stats.

As always, we recommend driving with the instant fuel economy display active, in order to achieve the best gas mileage with a light-footed driving technique.

While maneuvering a seven-passenger crossover can be a chore in tight spaces, the Traverse LTZ provides a trio of helpful features. These are especially welcome, given the vehicle’s rearward visibility.

When you drop the Traverse into reverse, the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist and Navigation System-based Rear Camera are invaluable. But our favorite of the trio is the passenger side rearview mirror that automatically tilts to show the road surface as you back up. This aids in parking by helping to avoid those pesky clipped curbs. The side mirrors are also outfitted with blind spot helpers.

The Traverse LTZ cabin is extra kind to the captain and first mate. An 8-way power driver’s seat is standard, as is lumbar support, and extensive automatic settings. The leather-trimmed front seats aren’t just heated, they’re air-conditioned, as well. (This just might be our favorite feature on a hot sticky summer day.) The climate controls are tri-zone, with rear ceiling vents.

Our test unit was decked out with the optional Dual Skyscape Sunroof and DVD Rear Seat Entertainment package.

There’s a 12-volt outlet at the base of the dash, 12-volt and 115-volt outlets at the back of the center console, and another 12-volt outlet in the cargo area.

While we were disappointed that digital audio system lacked USB input and was limited to simple auxiliary jacks, there are two – one on the dash, and the other in the second row, where you’ll also find A/V inputs.

The audio systems touch screen controls make it easy to find the right station for the times when your eyes needn’t be on the road. And for those that do, the steering wheel puts it at your fingertips. Both Bluetooth support and OnStar are standard issue.

All-in-all, we found the Traverse LTZ to be a feature-packed family cruiser, with plenty of space and all the amenities, whether you’re running the local route or on a long-distance road trip. This modern crossover is well-worth a look for folks ready to swap out of a more thirsty conventional full-size SUV.