A new 3.6L V-6 - the segment's most powerful standard engine - headlines updates to the 2012 Cadillac SRX. It enhances a combination of performance, technology and refinement that is resonating with more luxury crossover customers.

Cadillac SRX retail sales rose 17.7 percent in the first half of 2011, building on a record-setting 2010 sales increase of 150 percent.

The new 3.6L - known by its "LFX" engine code - is the sole engine offered in the Cadillac SRX. It delivers 16-percent more horsepower (308 hp / 230 kW) than the previous V-6 and provides greater low-rpm torque. Vehicle responsiveness is dramatically improved in all operating conditions - launch from a standstill, around town maneuvering in traffic, passing maneuvers and full-throttle acceleration. It is matched with the Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission, which features a driver-selectable Eco feature that alters the shift points and throttle progression to help optimize fuel economy.

Cadillac SRX also brings enhanced features for 2012, as well as updates that make it quieter and more refined - including new sound-absorbing material placed strategically throughout the vehicle. The Base and Sport suspension systems have been revised to improve the ride quality.

"The improvements we've made to the 2012 SRX make an already great luxury crossover even better, giving our customers more performance and features," said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. "Many of the changes are a direct response to consumer feedback, demonstrating Cadillac's commitment to total customer satisfaction."

Feature and content enhancements for 2012 include:

Standard Bluetooth phone connectivity on all models, with on-screen caller identification
OnStar Turn-by-Turn automated directions are loaded to the vehicle
Improved voice recognition for phone activation, navigation and radio station changes
A heated steering wheel on the Luxury, Performance and Premium Collections
Door lock switches on the driver and passenger door panels as well as the center console
Cruise control buttons on the steering wheel
Memory seat set - the occupant can set the seating position simply by pressing "set" and the number simultaneously
Backlighting for map lights in the overhead console
A new machined-face finish on the 20-inch wheels, which are standard on Performance and Premium Collections
Available all-ebony interior trim
One new exterior color: Xenon Blue Metallic.

Popular features returning for 2012 include a moveable cargo fence and large under-floor storage space in the rear, a liftgate that can be programmed to stop at different heights and the UltraView sunroof that covers 70 percent of the vehicle roof.

The new and enhanced elements that contribute to a quieter ride include new acoustic material in the upper instrument panel, front-of-dash area, the center console area and the inner fenders, as well as laminated glass used in the front side glass. There is also a new laminated structural barrier used under the second-row seat to block noise.

Click to review the complete list of the 2012 SRX's standard and available features.

• Inside the LFX
• Chassis and suspension