The SRX is a lifesaver. It came to my rescue this week as I had to make a last minute dash across town to the airport and collect a good friend of mine, his wife, their five-month-old baby and about a million suitcases...
The little fella had more luggage than his parents did put together! There was his pram, which seemed as big as the Mini Mayfair (page 28), three bags of clothes, nappies and toys and then two hulking bags belonging to mum and dad. It was a lot of stuff to accommodate. I pressed the liftgate button at the rear and we all stood back as it rose up automatically. It's a cool trick but it would have been more impressive had I programmed it to open all the way — and not half. No problem, a little manual labour never hurt anyone… But me.
As I pushed the heavy boot up, I pulled my lower back. But I wasn't upset or angry, or in that much pain either. Instead, I was pleased to know that the SRX is built using stronger material than what most other cars feel like they're made of these days — papier mâché. It would take a hefty blow to dent its attractive body.
Anyway, the SRX's boot, all 1,730 litres with the seats down, swallowed the luggage like a hungry hippo and left plenty of room for us to enjoy the drive home.
They had endured a torrid flight, suffering everything from turbulence to delays and the last thing they needed was an uncomfortable ride on the road. They didn't have to worry, for the SRX is so smooth it feels as if it's riding a cushion of air. Until it meets with a sleeping policeman. Take it over those annoying bumps any way other than perfectly straight, and it wobbles like a plate of jelly for a worryingly long time before regaining composure. I'd been driving it alone last week, but found the extra weight it was now carrying improved its overall poise and balance.
I had less than half of its 1,587kg towing ability on board but with the extra weight, it felt planted and sturdy, even around corners. It was as if the variable dampers were being forced to work, and they were doing a splendid job, testimony of the fact that the baby was fast asleep — even while travelling on Deira's potholed roads. The SRX's cossetting effect did the trick and we didn't hear a peep from him until we got home, where he bawled his eyes out.
The luxurious, leather clad seats were a welcome relief for my passengers who had to endure the tortures of an economy class cabin. They were able to stretch out and finally get some rest. They'd have been content to spend their vacation inside it — it's that comfortable. What's more, at the push of a button the seats heat up or cool down but it seems GM missed a trick, for a massaging option would have made a world of difference to an already impressive interior.
I'll be heading back to the airport to drop them off in a week or so — when they'll, no doubt, have even more luggage after shopping at all our malls.
Thanks to the spacious SRX, I'm not worried about that one little bit.
Facts
- Driven by: Imran
- Start mileage: 19,720km
- Recent cost: None
- Average fuel economy: 18-22mpg
- Highs: Plenty of room
- Lows: Should have come with massaging seats
The progress (Week 1)
- Highs: Luxurious, good kit, comfortable.
- Lows: We think it's already in need ofa service!
