Compared to the direct injection V6-powered Cadillac SRX, the turbocharged version likes things at speed—high speeds. That doesn’t mean breakneck double-digit speeds, but it does mean at speeds higher than what’s appropriate for first gear. The non-turbocharged SRX (see February 2010 archives) doesn’t lack for power, but the turbocharged version definitely seeks acceleration hounds. Producing 300 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 295 pounds-feet of torque at 2000 rpm, the turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine absolutely feels more in-synch once out of first gear. Per the turbo meter on the instrument cluster, the turbocharger was engaged whenever the driver’s foot was on the accelerator. But is turbo really necessary in first gear?

The turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine is mated to an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission. On the test-driven turbo all-wheel-drive Premium edition, the driver can get a digital readout of the posted speed limit. It’s great to be able to see that information within the instrument cluster, but the downside is huge. The readouts were wrong most of the time. Oftentimes, the readout was either blank or 5 mph less than the actual speed limit. During a cruise on the expressway—where the actual speed was 65 mph—the in-vehicle speed limit gave this alert: 30 mph. So as nice as this feature could be, it’s far from being accurate. The SRX Turbo AWD Premium (with 6-speed automatic transmission) has estimated mpg of 15 city and 22 highway and carries an MSRP of $51,360.