Want a new Caddy, but need some useful hauling capabilities? Check out the 2014 Cadillac SRX. With this midsize 5-seat luxury crossover offering plenty of posh and some 61.1 cubic feet of cargo-carrying capacity with the rear seatbacks folded, not to mention that legendary Cadillac ride and efficient V6 power, it’s no wonder this high-end hauler has topped Caddy’s sales numbers for the last couple of years.

The SRX lineup again returns with the Base trim (the Standard in Caddy-speak), followed in ascending order of plush by the Luxury, the sporty Performance and the flagship Premium trims. All editions of this classy crossover are delivered with standard front-wheel drive (FWD), but once again all are available with winter-wandering all-wheel drive (AWD) that throws power to all 4 wheels under normal conditions, and when things get hairy, it instantly and automatically shifts torque from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip. An electronic limited-slip differential is also standard in AWD-equipped trims.

A few minor tweaks grace this year’s SRX trims, including the deletion and addition of a few exterior paint colors, a new Caramel interior color sporting Ebony accents and some updates to various options. Also new this year, Intellibeam headlights that sense the need for high-beams or low-beams are added to the Driver Awareness Package that’s standard on the Premium trim and available to the Luxury and Performance editions.

Powering all 2014 SRX editions is a 3.6-liter variable-valve-timed V6 engine that no longer offers Flex-fuel capability. Nevertheless, it again combines with the standard 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission for 308 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, good enough to tow up to 3,500 pounds with the optional towing package installed. It’s estimated, meantime, that this midsize crossover will get 17 mpg city/24 highway in FWD trims, while AWD variants are pegged at 16/23.

Features-wise, luxury is a Cadillac constant, and the 2014 SRX is no exception. The Base/Standard trim carries standard 18-inch painted alloy wheels, a roof rack, a rear spoiler and heated power-adjustable mirrors outside, with the cabin flaunting leatherette upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seats, leather and simulated alloy accents, dual-zone climate control and full power accessories. Cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering again grace this entry-level trim, as does OnStar/Bluetooth Directions and Connections communications technology, and a single-CD player boasting 8 Bose speakers, satellite radio, a memory-card slot and a USB port under the guidance of GM’s touted Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment interface.

Stepping up to the SRX Luxury trim begets a power sunroof, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, a remote garage door opener, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, additional cabin trim bling and reverse-tilt outside mirrors.

The sport-oriented SRX Performance, meantime, offers, besides a standard sport-tuned suspension (with adaptive dampers in AWD editions), 20-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, memory for driver's settings, 2 additional premium speakers with Surround Sound and a flash-memory-based navigation suite.

Finally, the top-shelf SRX Premium kicks in standard tri-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, rear-seat audio controls and the Driver Awareness Package, now with Intellibeam auto high/low-beam headlights.

Options this year include a number of upgraded exterior and interior accent and wheel upgrades, the Performance trim’s sport-tuned suspension, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. The Driver Awareness Package is optional for the Luxury and Performance trims and features a forward collision alert, lane departure warning and a Safety Alert driver’s seat, as well as the aforementioned Intellibeam headlights.

Safety-wise, look for 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) to be standard across the lineup, as well as traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, and front and rear head airbags. All trims also get daytime running lights, OnStar emergency assistance and communications, a post-collision safety system and a remote antitheft alarm, with the Performance and Premium trims additionally boasting standard self-leveling and adaptive high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights and front fog/driving lights.