If you think the current crop of luxury EVs lacks individuality, you might want to start your search with the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq. This midsize SUV is Cadillac's first totally electric vehicle, and it dazzles with a high-tech interior and external appearance, as well as practical features such as a long-range battery pack and General Motors' hands-free Super Cruise system. It was only released last year in restricted variations, but by 2024, the selection will have expanded from one trim to seven. Although the 2024 Lyriq provides the finest peek into Cadillac's future to date, its on-road attitude pays homage to the brand's most legendary luxury cars. While rivals have pushed for rapid acceleration and agile handling, the Lyriq is willing to waft—something we believe the brand's ardent fans will appreciate when they swap in their outdated DTS sedans and SRX crossovers for something more eco-friendly. After all, it's not sporting a Blackwing insignia. The Lyriq is powered by GM's Ultium scalable battery architecture, which means it shares technology with the monster GMC Hummer EV pickup truck, but the two couldn't be more unlike each other. The Caddy's attractive exterior gives it a low-slung appearance, and its cabin is significantly more upscale. A sleek digital display begins behind the steering wheel and elegantly flows into an infotainment display in the center of the dashboard with a little curvature. The anticipated driving range is 308 miles per charge, and all Lyriqs come complete with DC fast-charging technology to help make the most of America's developing public EV charging infrastructure.
What’s New for 2024
Cadillac has streamlined the Lyriq selection for 2024, introducing three separate versions with progressively higher levels of equipment. The entry-level 340-hp single-motor electric powertrain is featured in the Tech model, but its range has been reduced from an estimated 312 miles per charge to 308. The Luxury trim adds additional desirable amenities, while the top-spec Sport has a more aggressive external appearance that includes darker chrome trim and a distinctive grille treatment.
Pricing and Trims
The Tech level of the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq starts at $57,195 and includes options like GPS and heated front seats. The Luxury level starts at $61,295 and includes 26-color ambient LED inside lighting and a heated steering wheel, among other features. The Sport model costs $61,795. It has distinctive interior and exterior aesthetic characteristics.
The Lyriq’s entry-level Tech specification includes a big, curved 33.0-inch digital dashboard display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a fixed glass top, 20-inch wheels, and fake leather upholstery. Moving up to the midlevel Luxury trim unlocks customizable ambient interior lighting, wood interior trim, a heated steering wheel and front seats, adaptive cruise control, and the availability of several desirable options such as Cadillac's Super Cruise hands-free driving system. We'd also recommend the 500-hp Dual Motor AWD variant, which has a 3500-pound towing capability.
EV Motor
The 2024 Lyriq comes with two engine options. The standard rear-wheel-drive model is powered by an electric motor and a 102-kWh battery, generating 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. The alternative powertrain has two electric motors and a 102-kWh battery, producing a total of 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains use single-speed automatic gearboxes.
The standard powerplant delivers a substantial amount of near-instant torque off the line. The acceleration isn't as insane as what you'd get in a Tesla, but it's enough for a large SUV. As you approach highway speeds, the power delivery remains steady, and overtaking or merging is a breeze. The all-wheel-drive powertrain increases power and accelerates more quickly.
At the time of writing, Cadillac had not published a zero-to-60-mph time for the rear- or all-wheel-drive Lyriq. The RWD Lyriq has been stated to have a zero-to-60-mph time of less than 6 seconds by independent sources. It's not as quick as some of its competitors premium electric SUVs, but it's far from slow.
Ride and Handling
The Lyriq stresses comfort over performance, but that doesn’t make it a chore to drive. At low and high speeds, the handling is good and consistent; however, the steering lacks input. Body roll is maintained to a minimum, and the Lyriq's low center of gravity aids in the vehicle's stability. The ride quality is outstanding, and the suspension absorbs all but the worst road bumps. The brakes are strong and have enough travel, and wind and road noise are reduced to a minimum.
Fortunately, Cadillac has designed an aggressive regenerative braking system that enables one-pedal driving, so simply stepping off the accelerator pedal slows the car rapidly enough to avoid touching the brake pedal in most everyday driving conditions. The ride is acceptable on level ground, although some may find the suspension a little too harsh on rougher roads.
Range and Battery
The Lyriq was the first vehicle to use General Motors' innovative Ultium EV battery technology, which debuted last year. The scalable technology enables the manufacturer to create batteries ranging in capacity from 50.0 to 200.0 kWh, with the biggest size designated for large EV pickup trucks such as the GMC Hummer EV SUT. The Lyriq's battery has a capacity of 102.0 kWh and a driving range of up to 308 miles per charge in the single-motor variant and 307 miles in the dual-motor model.
The charging port on the Lyriq is positioned exactly behind the vehicle's front-right wheel well. The accompanying 7.7-kW dual-level charging line may be used to charge the Lyriq at home using a 120- or 240-volt household-style power outlet or a 240-volt home charging station. You may also charge the vehicle at one of the more than 50,000 public charging stations scattered around the country.
Cadillac claims that the Lyriq's battery can be fully charged in seven hours using a 240-volt (Level 2) power outlet or home charging station. You can add around 77 miles of range in about 10 minutes by using a DC rapid charging (Level 3) station.
Off-road Capability
The Lyriq is available with all-wheel drive, although it is not intended for off-roading. The occasional gravel or dirt route should be alright, but staying on tarmac is preferable. When correctly outfitted, the Lyriq can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The Lyriq has a little more bite now that it has a dual-motor 500-hp setup, but it still puts more emphasis on comfort and ease of operation than thrilling performance.
Interior
The cabin of the 2024 Lyriq is stunning in every way. The materials used in the construction are high-end, with upper-trim versions incorporating open-pore wood, Nappa leather seating, and metal embellishments. The fit and quality are excellent, and the cabin design is typical Cadillac—big, bombastic, and comfortable—but with a modern twist. On the door panels and central console, metallic brightwork is mixed with open-pore wood. A big storage tray on the floor between the driver and front passenger is upholstered with brilliant blue leather upholstery, adding a playful flash of color. Although the concept car included only four seats and a center console that divided the two front and two back seats, as well as a touchscreen for rear seat passengers, the production Lyriq features a more typical rear bench seat. The lack of a gasoline engine obviously contributes to a quiet cabin, but the Lyriq also uses innovative noise-cancelling technology to decrease road noise.
The inside is roomy, but the cargo space isn't as large as in comparable SUVs. With the second-row seats folded, there is 28 cubic feet of room behind the second row and 60.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The cargo compartment is deep but narrow, with enough room for a weekend's worth of baggage or longer goods like golf bags. Unlike many rivals in its class, the Lyriq has a front trunk, or frunk. The seats in the front are comfortable and well-cushioned, with enough headroom and legroom. It's an excellent location to kill time. Although there is plenty of space for people in the back row, the seats aren't as well padded as those in the front.
Infotainment
The Lyriq has an eye-catching infotainment and gauge cluster combo on a single 33-inch display. The graphics are really crisp, the input reaction times are fast, and the system is loaded with functions. It's quite simple, but there are a lot of choices and submenus that might be difficult to navigate, especially when driving. On the plus side, there are several physical buttons and knobs, as well as a rotary controller in the central console, to facilitate changes.
- Standard infotainment features: a 33-inch touch screen and digital gauge cluster combination, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless device charging, satellite radio, Bluetooth, a seven-speaker audio system, and five USB ports
- Available infotainment features: a 19-speaker AKG audio system
- Additional standard features: dual-zone automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, push-button start, ambient LED interior lighting, a universal garage door opener, and a fixed glass roof
- Other available features: tri-zone automatic climate control, a digital key (which lets you lock, unlock, and start the vehicle with your smartphone), a 110-volt household-style power outlet, 26-color ambient LED interior lighting and a panoramic sunroof
Fuel Economy
The 2024 Lyriq obtains an EPA-estimated 97 MPGe in the city and 82 MPGe on the highway with rear-wheel drive. That is typical for a premium electric SUV. All-wheel drive reduces each of these figures by 1 MPGe. Visit the EPA's website for additional information on the Lyriq's fuel efficiency.
Safety
The Lyriq comes equipped with driver-assistance technologies, although Cadillac's Super Cruise hands-free driving system requires a subscription. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites for additional information on the Lyriq's crash test results. The following are likely key safety features:
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition is standard.
- Lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance is standard.
- Adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving modes is available.
Warranty
The Lyriq, like the similarly sized Cadillac XT5 and XT6 SUVs, comes with a powertrain warranty that outperforms comparable luxury people carriers. Cadillac presently covers the initial dealer service visit; however, competitors such as the Jaguar I-Pace provide longer periods of free maintenance.
- The limited warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles.
- The powertrain warranty is valid for 6 years or 70,000 miles.
- The initial appointment includes free maintenance.
Competitive Cars
Cadillac Lyriq vs. Tesla Model Y
For good reason, the Tesla Model Y is a mainstay in the luxury electric SUV sector. It outperforms the Lyriq in terms of driving range and performance, as well as having a large list of standard driver-assistance systems and baggage space. It's also slightly less expensive than the Lyriq. In terms of internal creature comforts and refinement, the Cadillac easily outperforms the Model Y, with superior construction materials and a better fit and finish. The Lyriq also boasts a more comfortable ride, larger rear-row passenger room, and a simpler infotainment system.
Cadillac Lyriq vs. Genesis GV60
The Genesis GV60 is a well-rounded, cost-effective electric SUV. It features a well-cast interior, but it isn't as opulent as the cabin of the Lyriq. In the Lyriq, rear-row occupants will also enjoy additional legroom. The Genesis outperforms the Cadillac in terms of quickness and handling, but it has a somewhat less pleasant ride and a lower driving range. Both versions have a plethora of basic features.
