1:32 scale 2010 Cadillac SRX and 2013 Buick Enclave

Here are two more China-made pullback vehicles from General Motors, two premium SUV’s that injected some life and sales into each brand.

Cadillac SRX

While the Escalade is Cadillac’s first SUV for the brand, the SRX was brought in for those who like the idea of a Cadillac SUV, but didn’t want the Escalade’s larger size. The SRX started life as the 2001 Vizion concept that shared some of the sharp edgy lines with the Cadillac Evoq concept from a few years before. When it went into production in 2004 it was a three-row SUV with rear-wheel drive shared with the CTS sedan and styling that was toned down from the Vizion concept. Sales were mixed so GM tried again with a new platform based on the front-wheel drive Saturn Vue and Chevrolet Equinox to create a two-row SRX in 2010, and since then sales have took off. This red example shows off the finer points of the SRX exterior styling that is much sharper than before. The front has larger vertical headlights with integrated signal and projector beam lenses inside, large chrome V-shaped front grille, and lower bumper grille with foglights. The sides show more edgy surfaces with chrome trim in silver and multi-spoke wheels with center cap, while the rear shows the edgy finned taillights that cut out of the smooth rear hatch profile and dual exhausts below the rear bumper. The base offers at least some detail despite the speaker and battery cover in the way and the brake rotors are still behind the wheels, while the hood opens up to show the 3.6L V6 motor and engine cover that has the detailed Cadillac logo on it. The interior proved to be a disappointment for this model as the 4-spoke steering wheel does not blend in with the dashboard and while the center stack has a smooth surface for the touch sensitive interface the details are barely visible here. The center console barely has a visible shifter handle and the seats look flat in design, but at least you get a spacious cargo area in the rear as the pullback motor creates a hump in the floor. This SRX is a very sharp casting let down by a poorly executed interior.

Specifications:

Engine: 3.6L DOHC V6 265 hp.
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
0-60 mph: 7.0 sec est.
Real vehicle price: $36,000 est.

Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars

Buick Enclave

Buick was one of the General Motors luxury brands lost in identity and for attracting younger customers. During the 2009 restructuring of GM Buick was one of the brands that would be let go, but thanks to successful sales in China the brand still hangs around and shortly after that the brand started to make a big turn-around for an image of luxury with a bit of sport to attract younger buyers. One of those models is the Enclave, a three-row SUV based on the same platform shared with the Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia (and Saturn Outlook for a brief while) and designed to replace the lackluster minivan line with an SUV that can do the same as a minivan. For the mid-cycle update in 2013 the Enclave goes for a sharper look while still keeping its unique design fresh and luxurious for the brand. In black this Enclave model looks pretty good with silver accent trims on the sides, dual sunroofs for front and rear passengers, and then there’s the size of this big casting ranking in second biggest and heaviest of the China-made 1:32 models behind the GMC Savanna. The front has a bold look with large flowing headlights with detailed projector beams, round grille with vertical chrome slants, and lower bumper with Enclave plate in silver. Those faux portholes have been relocated to the hood as seamless vents on the hood, while the wheels are nice multi-spoke rims in silver that looks much different than the ones on the SRX. The rear has horizontal round taillights, more silver trim, and dual exhaust tips, while the hood area tends to be tight on details, yet the 3.6L V6 is still visible in the small engine compartment opening. The interior offers seating for seven with second-row captain’s chairs and a third row (and part of the second row) interfered with the pullback motor, while the front footwells get room spared by the speaker. Dashboard design, though looks similar to the other GM platform mates, is nicely done here with detailed gauges, 4-spoke steering wheel, and center stack controls that are visible, and adding some wood trim to the dashboard, center console, and doors really looks good here. Then there’s the biggest downer with a three row SUV: lack of any cargo space in the back despite the opening rear hatch. This has to be one of my favorite SUV’s of the group as it has lots of great details that all flow well in this casting.

Specifications: