Noise, Ride & Handling
Road and wind noise are low, but you'll hear more adjacent traffic than I'd expect in a luxury crossover. The Lincoln MKX and GLK, to name a couple competitors, are superior in this regard.
With the 20-inch wheels on Performance and Premium trim levels, the SRX rides on the firmer side. All-wheel-drive Performance and Premium trims, including our test car, get a sport-tuned adaptive suspension. It soaks up stretches of uneven pavement well enough, but major disruptions — expansion joints, potholes — make for a lot of noise and movement. The RDX has similar characteristics, and the X3 and EX35 are firmer still. Other competitors, particularly the LR2 and MKX, ride smoother.
The front-wheel-drive SRX adopts softer suspension tuning — albeit with a fixed rather than adaptive setup. The base and Luxury SRX could be cushier still, thanks to their normal suspension tuning and 18-inch wheels with higher-series tires. If ride comfort is paramount, be sure to sample all three setups.
The steering wheel turns with light effort, but its sloppy turn-in precision doesn't encourage spirited cornering. Body roll, at least, seems contained. No matter the configuration, though, the SRX's 40.3-foot turning circle will have you making a lot of three- and four-point turns. It's one of the widest in this group.
See also:
Headlamp Aiming
The vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming system. The aim of the headlamps
have been preset at the factory and should need no further adjustment.
However, if the vehicle is damaged in a cras ...
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
This section is only for people of adult size.
There are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are
different rules for smaller children and infants. If a child will be r ...
Cooling System
When it is safe to lift the hood:
A. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
B. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can start up even ...