2024 Cadillac LYRIQ Driven: Proof That The Electric Age Can Revive Even A Century-Old Nameplate

Stomp the accelerator pedal in the Cadillac LYRIQ Sport, and it doesn’t shove you in the backrest like most performance electric vehicles (EVs) do, but rather progressively gains momentum as if it was powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE). More importantly, although it’s based on essentially the same hardware as all of GM’s latest EVs, it feels like its own unique thing.

But perhaps what shines through the most about the LYRIQ is that it proves that the electric age acts as a big reset button for the entire auto industry. If Cadillac was a dying brand due to aging demographics, this all-electric crossover feels young, refreshing and in tune with today’s fast-paced era. It breathes new life into the century-old Cadillac nameplate.

2025 Cadillac LYRIQ Exterior: Futuristic And Distinctive

And it seems to be working for Cadillac, as the LYRIQ is a sales success. It’s only into its second year of production, and Cadillac had already shipped over 20,000 units as of this October. It’s the best-selling Cadillac in years.

There are a lot of good reasons for this, the first being its styling. From the get-go, I’ve always liked the way the LYRIQ looks, and I do find that this design is already aging gracefully. It has presence, purposefulness and truly looks like a Cadillac of the future. More importantly, it completely sheds off its old-folks-home image that stuck with the brand up until very recently. Rather, this looks like something new and exciting.

In this Sport trim – which is nothing more than a design package – the LYRIQ looks a tad more purposeful, especially painted in white like my example. It also dresses it up better than the otherwise mundane base models. Blacked out trim components and wheels – which replace the usual chrome look – contrast beautifully with that paint color. It truly drives the point home that this Cadillac was designed for a younger generation of buyers. It also looks like nothing else on the road thanks to the prominent Cadillac shield-grille design that’s well lit through LED illumination. This is, plain and simple, a good-looking SUV.

Exterior Dimensions

2024 Cadillac LYRIQ: Differences Between The U.S. And Canadian Market

GM usually sells its vehicles with about identical specifications on both sides of the border, and the LYRIQ is no exception. Available in either rear or all-wheel drive for all trims for a $3,500 USD/$3,995 CAD extra, the LYRIQ is mechanically identical in the U.S. as it is in Canada. It also offers roughly the same choice of paint colors and optional packages.

U.S. Versus Canada Lineup Breakdown (model tested in bold)

Driving Impressions And Performance: Smooth And Progressive Acceleration

Back to how the LYRIQ performs. For a Cadillac that’s not a high-performance V variant, I appreciate how GM has calibrated the way it accelerates. When you stop to think about it, what you really want from this nameplate is a vehicle that’s fast, but not neck-snapping fast. A Cadillac should be a bit like a Mercedes. It other words, it should be quick when you need it, but the performance should never be the center-piece of the experience. Rather, it should come in abundance, like that extra icing on the cake.

But that’s not to say the LYRIQ is slow. Thanks to a 102-kWh liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery and two permanent-magnet AC motors, the all-wheel drive LYRIQ pumps out an impressive 500 combined horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough for a 0-60 MPH time of just a hair over 4.5 seconds. Impressive considering that it was never designed to be a high-performance machine.

Handling, however, isn’t as impressive. Of course, the LYRIQ isn’t a track monster. There’s an upcoming V model that will apparently take care of that. But compared to competing EVs wearing a premium badge like, say, a BMW iX, the LYRIQ is not exactly athletic in the corners. It’s obvious that Cadillac has tuned the LYRIQ’s suspension for comfort over handling prowess, but although it is a soft machine to ride in, the LYRIQ’s dampers are always inherently stiff.

But that’s the inevitable outcome of a 5,600-pound vehicle riding on 22-inch wheels. You just can’t beat physics. And like all of GM’s Ultium-based EVs – including full-size trucks like the Chevrolet SIlverado and GMC Sierra EV – the LYRIQ bounces annoyingly when driven on rough surfaces. You feel its weight, which sort of ruins the otherwise plush and quiet ride.

Performance Specifications

2024 Cadillac LYRIQ Energy Consumption, Range And Charging

The good news is that since it rides on GM’s industry-leading Ultium platform, the LYRIQ boasts a segment-competitive range and charging performance. In all-wheel drive form, the EPA estimates 89 MPGe, which translates into 307 miles of real-world range. The fast-charging rate, according to Cadillac, is set at 190 kW on a compatible DC fast charger. This equates to 86 miles of range in about 10 minutes in optimal conditions. The LYRIQ is also compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger network of fast chargers via a GM-provided NACS adapter.

The onboard charger for level 2 home charging can reach up to 19.2 kW, but only if your home’s electrical system can support it. Otherwise, it drops to 11.5 kW, which remains competitive. Cadillac says that the 19.2-kW setup will get you 51 miles of range in the span of about an hour.

As for me, like I usually do for these reviews, I mostly charged the LYRIQ on my own 7.2-kW home charger, which took me about 10 hours to fully charge. For energy consumption, I drove the LYRIQ during cool, early November weather. It returned a 81 MPGe average over a distance of 500 miles.

EPA And As Tested Energy Consumption

Interior Design And Comfort: Spacious And Comfortable, But Not That Luxurious

The LYRIQ’s interior has some nice styling bits that truly allow it to be identified as GM’s most luxurious offering in this segment, but there are also a lot of similarities with some of GM’s more mainstream EV crossovers, like the Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer EV. Unfortunately, some low-rent plastics and parts sharing with more affordable models somewhat undercuts the LYRIQ’s premium promise.

The chrome trim on the dashboard and gear selector, and the brushed aluminum covering the speaker grilles are a pleasing touch, I will say. So are the retro-style door handles. The thick and supportive leather seats with massaging features – albeit a tad confusing to understand due to their atypical circular door-mounted dial – are obvious reminders that you’re sitting inside something premium. But the LYRIQ sadly doesn’t evoke the same kind of expensive feeling as what you’d get, say, from a Genesis or even a Lexus.

Comfort and cabin space, however, are never an issue. The LYRIQ’s interior is grand, even for taller passengers. Rear leg and headroom are abundant, with comfortable rear seats that shouldn’t be a problem for long roadtrips.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use: GM’s Familiar Interface, But With CarPlay

The LYRIQ’s technology is an interesting case as it was developed before GM decided to get rid of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, prioritizing its own, native system instead. This is specific to EVs for, apparently, more precision when estimating the available range from one charger to the next.

Yet, the LYRIQ’s system manages to do all that, but with the added benefit of Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. It had me questioning GM’s decision to remove them in the first place. In other words, you’re truly getting the best of both worlds with this system. At least for now. Because it’s a question of time before GM updates it so it aligns with its more recent models.

In this case, the system is presented through a massive 33-inch curved advanced OLED screen which not only looks rich and expensive, but feels that way as well. The graphical interface and resolution are second to none, and it’s all rather easy to understand. While most of the system’s interface feels like GM’s other products, Cadillac integrates neat LYRIQ-specific features like an additional screen on the left side of the steering wheel.

Like in the Escalade, the screen allows you to cycle through different thematic displays, or offers you the choice of prioritizing the kind of information you want displayed. It’s nothing very different from what the General offers in other models, but it was programmed in a way to be unique to Cadillac. This adds value to the nameplate.

Cargo And Storage Space: Not A Segment Leader

Ironically, although the LYRIQ is a rather large midsize SUV, its available cargo space doesn’t reflect this. One of the reasons being the way the rear end is shaped, which compromises the available room back there. But this is also a problem with most EVs. They tend to have long wheelbases due to their large batteries, improving cabin space in the process. But to prevent the vehicle from being ginormous, designers give EVs short overhangs. This has a negative effect on cargo space.

For reference, the LYRIQ’s trunk is considerably smaller than what you’ll get from a BMW iX (35.5 cu-ft / 77.9 cu-ft). It’s also a shame that Cadillac hasn’t utilized the front section to integrate some form of front storage compartment. All we get instead is a large plastic cover.

2024 Cadillac LYRIQ Cargo Space Specifications

The Table Is Set For More Great Cadillac EVs

I know, I’m late to the game for my Cadillac LYRIQ review. Before actually driving it, I attended two Cadillac EV reveals for upcoming models, the OPTIQ and VISTIQ. Both are scheduled sometime next year. But what I learned at both of these events, is that the LYRIQ allowed Cadillac to do something it hasn’t done in a very long time: conquesting, or the art of attracting consumers from other brands.

With this vehicle, GM managed to attract buyers who never even had Cadillac on their radar. This is incredibly valuable for a car company that’s been desperately trying to carve its own niche for over two decades. It also gave Cadillac the confidence it needed to go all-in on EVs. The LYRIQ worked not because it tried to be young and hip like so many failed Caddies that came before it, but rather because it is young and hip. Above all, we owe its success to the fact that this a great EV. At the end of the day, a good vehicle is a good vehicle, no matter the badge on its hood.