Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 BMW X3 VS 2016 Cadillac SRX Near Scottsdale, AZ

The X3 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The SRX only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the X3 and the SRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, front parking sensors, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and blind spot warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Cadillac SRX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Cadillac SRX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the SRX’s (12 vs. 6 years).

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the X3 has a standard 210-amp alternator (180-amp - X3 diesel). The SRX’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the BMW X3 xDrive28i’s reliability will be 14% better than the SRX.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

The X3 xDrive35i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. produces 35 lbs.-ft. more torque (300 vs. 265) than the SRX’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

The X3’s 2.0 turbo diesel produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 265) than the SRX’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the X3 xDrive28d gets better fuel mileage than the SRX 4 (27 city/34 hwy vs. 16 city/23 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better fuel mileage than the SRX:

Regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The SRX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the X3’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The SRX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The X3 stops much shorter than the SRX:

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the SRX (245/50R18 vs. 235/65R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the SRX (F:245/45R19 & R:275/40R19 vs. 235/65R18).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SRX’s standard 65 series tires. The X3’s optional 245/40R20 front and 275/35R20 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the SRX’s optional 55 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The SRX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The SRX’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the SRX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the X3’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the SRX’s (39 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

The BMW X3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Cadillac SRX.

The X3 is 6.9 inches shorter than the SRX, making the X3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X3 has 1 inch more front headroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the SRX.

The X3 has a larger cargo area with its rear seat folded than the SRX with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 61.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X3 easier. The X3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the SRX’s liftover is 30.1 inches.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X3’s available cargo door can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The SRX doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its cargo door, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The X3 offers an optional heads-up display which projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The SRX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left down on the X3 the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the SRX can only raise the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X3 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The SRX doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The X3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The SRX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The SRX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The X3’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The SRX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the X3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X3 will cost $190 less than the SRX over a five-year period.

The X3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger’s estimates that the X3 will retain a greater percentage of its original price after three and five years than the SRX.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X3 will be $1207 to $5009 less than for the Cadillac SRX.

The BMW X3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

Strategic Vision rates overall owner satisfaction with vehicle quality. The BMW X3 is ranked second in the Near-Luxury Utility category. The Cadillac SRX is ranked below average.