New Car Test Drive correspondent Michelle Krebs filed this report from Arizona, with Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles.

The Cadillac SRX boasts an outstanding chassis in terms of structural rigidity, giving it stable yet responsive handling. We loved its smooth, extremely quiet ride and spirited handling while driving it on twisting mountain roads in Arizona. The SRX rides on the same Sigma global architecture used for the CTS and STS, which is proving to be a superb platform.

The 4.6-liter V8 delivers lots of power. Cadillac's latest-generation Northstar V8 is rated at 320 horsepower and 315 pounds-feet of torque. With the V8, the SRX can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds (6.9 for the heavier all-wheel-drive version), according to Cadillac. The SRX V8 we drove through the mountains of Arizona delivered smooth, confident power. It's rated to tow up to 4,250 pounds.

The SRX is also available with a new 3.6-liter V6 that makes 255 horsepower and 254 pounds-feet of torque. We have not tested the V6 model, but Cadillac engineers say the V6 versions are capable of 0-60 mph acceleration in the low 7-second range, which is reasonably quick. (Generally, the eight-second mark separates slow from fast.) The V6 offers a trailering package rated at 2,000 pounds, good for personal watercraft but not boats.

Both engines come with five-speed automatic transmissions, though different ones. The transmissions offer a manual-shift mode allowing the driver to change gears.

Cadillac engineers have focused on the SRX's all-weather capability with good results. To begin with, the SRX has a noticeably lower center of gravity than most sport utilities and a long wheelbase, all of which gives it better stability both in terms of roll (lean) and yaw.

Active safety systems improve its handling stability further: SRX comes standard with anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control, panic brake assist, and dynamic rear brake proportioning. It's also available with StabiliTrak, an active handling system designed to keep the SRX under the driver's control on wet, snowy and icy surfaces, in tight turns, and in evasive maneuvers. It is enhanced with optional Magnetic Ride Control, which GM calls the world's fastest reacting suspension control system. We highly recommend StabiliTrak for its ability to help you maintain control in slippery corners. ABS allows the driver to maintain steering control under hard braking. Brake Assist and dynamic rear brake proportioning improve braking performance and stability. Traction control improves stability when accelerating on slippery surfaces.

In a winter test drive in northern Michigan, the SRX performed well on ice and snow against its competitors. The SRX was the best all-around performer except for the Volvo XC90. As it began to slip or slide, the invisible co-pilot gently and unobtrusively nudged the SRX back on course.

Safety likely will be a major priority for families shopping the SRX, and Cadillac has addressed this. SRX comes standard with virtually every active and passive safety device available today. Crash-test results by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for 2005 were excellent: four stars for frontal impacts, five stars for side impacts. And the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the SRX ''Good'' grades for 40-mph offset frontal crashes.

The Cadillac SRX interior also is very similar to the CTS, which again is love it or hate it in terms of design. It certainly is stylish, comfortable and practical, but it isn't particularly beautiful or warm and inviting. It seems cold.

To address this, Cadillac interior designers have revamped the instrument cluster on the 2005 models, adding chrome accents. The V8 model adds wood touches for more warmth. Interior colors include ebony, light neutral and light gray. It's an improvement, but we wish the SRX offered the warmth of the beautiful interior of the all-new 2005 Cadillac STS. We don't care for the chrome surround for the shifter and the typeface used to label the gears; they just don't live up to Cadillac elegance, at least not by the new, higher standards.

Everything is easy to operate, however, with window switches on the doors, right where you expect to find them.

The SRX is roomier than some of its competitors, especially the BMW X5 and Infiniti FX. At 41 inches, the SRX has more rear legroom than other midsize luxury sport-utilities and as much rear hip room as the roomy Acura MDX.

Five-passenger seating is standard, with two rows of seats. The second row powers back and forth for added legroom or added cargo space, a nice feature. The cargo area in the five-passenger model can be outfitted with storage spaces built into the floor under hatch doors.

Seven passengers can fit in the SRX when ordered with the optional third-row bench seat. The third row is not available on many of its competitors, including the BMW X5, Infiniti FX, and Lexus RX. But the third-row seat provides less room, including legroom, than that of the Acura MDX or Volvo XC90. The Cadillac's third-row seat folds flat into the floor with the push of a button near the rear hatch or on the pillar just behind the second row of seats. The third row comes with storage bins and cup holders. Each row of seats sits higher than the one in front of it, like those in a movie theater, so everyone can see out.

Luggage space is about average for the class. The nice, flat, dog-friendly cargo floor behind the second row makes the SRX an excellent vehicle for the fur-bearing members of the family. Roof rails come standard to expand cargo-carrying capability. (Yellowstone here we come!)

Storage cubbies abound and include covered front door compartments, front door map pockets, front seatback pockets, a front center console with two compartments, a bin behind the front console, a glove box with a shelf, covered cup holders in the front seat center console and second seat fold-down armrest with cup holders. SRX also has rear coat hooks accessible from the rear passenger doors or liftgate, good for picking up dry cleaning.

Among the available options, the coolest feature, literally, is its super-sized sunroof. Push the button to open the Ultra View Sunroof and first- and second-row passengers can enjoy 5.6 feet of open air overhead. The Ultra View Plus option even adds a shaded glass sun roof over the third row.

The edgy styling of the SRX represents Cadillac's latest ''Art and Science'' design philosophy. People tend to love it or hate it. It looks modern, even futuristic, but harkens back to Cadillac's heritage. When Cadillac marketers, designers and engineers dug into the company's 100 years of history, they found two prevailing themes had made Cadillac successful in its glory days: distinctive, futuristic styling a la the 1959 Eldorado with its exuberant tailfins, and Cadillac's leadership in technology. Cadillac's $4 billion worth of new vehicles, including the SRX, embody the modern interpretation of those themes.

Bottom line is that if you like the edgy, angular look of the CTS, XLR and STS sedans, then you'll like the styling on the SRX. And if you don't like the SRX, you won't like the new Cadillac sedans. Love it or hate it, however, the styling is bold and unabashedly American. You will stand out in a crowd.

We like it. We think it looks good from most angles, though the upper rear corner looks a little awkward when viewed from the side.

Cadillac considers the SRX as a medium-size luxury utility. Like many of the latest crossover utility vehicles that are based on cars, the SRX looks and feels more like a station wagon than a traditional truck-based sport utility. Indeed, American automakers (and many buyers) think station wagon is a dirty word while European automakers sell lots of station wagons. Some buyers think station wagons are more sophisticated than sport utilities. Probably because they are. The SRX fits this description. It's much more sophisticated than a truck-based SUV.

Cadillac marketers say the SRX competes against the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class, along with the Acura MDX, Lexus RX 330 and Volvo XC90. A high-end Chrysler Pacifica may be a contender as well.

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