2024 Cadillac Lyriq Road Test and Review

2024 Cadillac Lyriq ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Cadillac once billed itself as “the standard of the world.” All over the world, folks would aspire to own its big, brash, technology-filled, and decadently comfortable luxury cars. Few Cadillacs have hit that lofty standard in decades. Except for the flagship Escalade SUV, most joined the crowded field of appealing but less outstanding premium vehicles. 

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq aims to change that. This all-electric mid-size crossover has bold looks, lots of technology, and a smooth, quiet ride – the old formula is back, but in a new EV form. It’s a Caddy that aims to get noticed and impress newcomers to the brand while also appealing to loyalists who are interested in going electric. And it has become the brand’s No. 2 best-selling model. We just spent a week testing the Lyriq, which is priced from $57,195 before a $7,500 federal tax credit. Keep reading as we explore its pros and cons so you can see if it’s the right luxury car for you. 

300-Plus Miles Per Charge

A key to the Lyriq’s appeal is its long range. Only a handful of electric SUVs can travel more than 300 miles on a charge in the EPA’s testing, and the Lyriq hits that mark even on its base battery. You get an estimated 314 miles with the base rear-wheel-drive powertrain and 307 miles with all-wheel drive. And our AWD test vehicle was on track to comfortably surpass that mark; at the end of our test, it was on track to travel 333 miles. 

When you need to charge it up, Cadillac promises about 77 miles of range in the first 10 minutes on a high-powered DC fast charger, or 195 miles in 30 minutes. At a 240-volt car charger, like you could install in your garage or might find in some public charging stations, Cadillac estimates you can get about 20 to 50 miles of range per hour (varying by car and charging equipment). You can also get 3.5 miles of range per hour even on a standard 120-volt three-prong power outlet.

If you’re taking your Lyriq on a long road trip, charging won’t be as simple or as quick as fueling up a gas car, but a 30-minute break every couple hundred miles isn’t disastrous. And while public charging stations often cost as much as refueling a gas car, most folks who charge at home will pay a fraction of that amount. The Lyriq gets the energy equivalent of 89 miles per gallon (or 88 MPGe with AWD), about four times the mileage of the similarly sized gas-powered Cadillac XT5. 

2024 Cadillac Lyriq ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Long and Low

SUVs are known for boxy shapes, but that doesn’t lend itself well to an EV’s range-conscious aerodynamics. So instead, the Lyriq is long and low – like an old-school Cadillac luxury sedan with more cargo room. 

At 197 inches long and 64 inches tall, the Lyriq is within 2 inches of a three-row Cadillac XT6’s length but 6 inches lower. Cadillac plays this shape to dramatic effect around the back, where L-shaped taillights drop down to meet in a lightbar under the sloped rear windshield. On dark-colored Lyriqs like our test vehicle, it can look like the car has an enormous rear windshield; in lighter colors, you see the triangle of painted body between the lights and the glass. Either way, you’ll notice a Lyriq from behind. Nor is it dull up at the front, where two parts of headlamp form a T astride a decorative, illuminated grille. (Remember, electric cars don’t have an engine under the hood to cool off.) From any angle, the Lyriq looks like a Cadillac – yet it’s also distinct from the rest of the brand’s lineup. 

2024 Cadillac Lyriq ・ Photo by Brady Holt

33-Inch Screen

Inside, the Lyriq adopts an interior design that’s spreading across the Cadillac lineup. A 33-inch screen includes the digital gauge cluster and the central touchscreen, plus a smaller touchscreen on the far left next to the driver’s door. It’s a dramatic look, even as – for better or for worse – the Google-based infotainment system’s graphics are plain. We did appreciate the ability to turn the gauge cluster into a GPS map view. And we’re glad that unlike some GM EVs, the Lyriq supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. 

Still, the overall interior experience is mixed. Many cabin materials are stunners, with lots of rich leather and genuine aluminum. A few budget-grade plastics – like a Chevy-issue push-button starter – detract a bit. But our bigger complaint is functionality. From the moment you try to open the door to get inside (via fussy exterior door handles), everything requires a learning curve. Figure out the gear selector. Find the headlight controls on the left-side touchscreen. 

Worse yet, the screen failed twice during our week with the car: First, it went blank while we were driving, and the second time, a few days later, it only flickered when we were about to get in for a drive. After sitting for a few hours, the car was back to normal like nothing had happened. But while the screen was on the fritz, we had no radio, no backup camera, no speedometer – we couldn’t even switch off the headlights.  

2024 Cadillac Lyriq ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Comfortable Seating for Five

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq is a two-row mid-size SUV with comfortable seating for up to five passengers. The front seats are cushy and comfortable, and heated leatherette upholstery comes standard. Optional upgrades include front-seat ventilation and massaging, along with genuine leather. You won’t have a towering SUV-high seating position, but the Lyriq is higher up than a sedan for easy entry and exit. 

The backseat is on the low side and we wish the rear doors opened a little wider, but the seat itself has lots of space. Heated rear seats and rear-seat climate controls are available upgrades, too. Though the Lyriq is a big vehicle, it’s not shaped for three-row seating; Cadillac will save that for its upcoming electric Escalade IQ. 

2024 Cadillac Lyriq ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Useful Cargo Space

The Lyriq is optimized for style, aerodynamics, and passenger comfort. Maximum cargo volume wasn’t a priority like you’d find in a boxier SUV. But this electric Cadillac still has useful space for your stuff. 

By the numbers, the Lyriq has 28 cubic feet of cargo room behind its rear seat and 61 cubic feet with the backseat folded down. That’s more than a Lexus RZ or Audi Q8 e-Tron but less than a Tesla Model Y. And Cadillac doesn’t provide a front trunk, or “frunk,” for extra storage space under the hood. The Lyriq is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds, but like on other EVs, be aware that pulling even a small trailer can cut sharply into your range. 

2024 Cadillac Lyriq ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Speedy and Smooth

Electric cars deliver their peak torque right off the line, which means you get strong, silent thrust as soon as you’re ready to go. The Lyriq is tuned to allow limo-like gentle driving, but you can also dig deeper into the throttle to get moving faster. 

The base rear-drive Lyriq makes 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, a lot of power for a roomy luxury SUV in the $50,000s. Then, for $3,500 extra, all-wheel-drive bumps those levels to 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft. Expect the rear-drive model to spring to 60 mph in about 6 seconds, and the AWD model to need just 5 seconds. Some EVs are even faster, like the breathtakingly quick Tesla Model Y Performance – which pulls off this spring in just 3.5 seconds. But compared with nearly any gasoline-powered SUV and even many EVs, the Lyriq is quite speedy. 

2024 Cadillac Lyriq ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Easy Ride and Handling

The Lyriq also rides and handles well. It glides easily down the road, yet when you hustle it around a curve, it’s closer to a sports sedan than a big SUV or an old-school Cadillac. This is still a big, heavy SUV, but careful suspension tuning and a low center of gravity help out significantly. You can set the steering and suspension to either Sport or Touring modes, but we didn’t feel much difference between the two – in both options, the Lyriq is comfortable yet confidence-inspiring.

You can also option the Lyriq with Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driving system. To create Super Cruise, GM taught its cars to drive on more than 200,000 miles of controlled-access highways across North America. Unlike Tesla’s Autopilot or Full Self Driving systems, Super Cruise encourages you to leave your hands in your lap (though your eyes must stay on the road). The Lyriq will handle accelerating, braking, steering, and even automatic lane changes. It’ll also tell you when the system needs to shut off – if you leave an eligible road, pavement markings become unclear, the cameras and sensors get obstructed, or it detects that you’re no longer looking out the front windshield. Within those limitations, the system works well and might make for a more relaxing slog down a dull Interstate. 

2024 Cadillac Lyriq ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Pricing Isn’t Crazy

Many electric cars set you up for sticker shock. The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq isn’t budget priced, but considering its style, range, and performance, it’s pretty reasonable. As we said before, prices start at $57,195, and it’s eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. So that’s a $50,000 SUV with 350 horsepower that gets the equivalent of 89 mpg, or about $53,000 for an AWD 500-hp SUV with 88 MPGe. 

Prices do add up with all the options. Our top-of-the-line Sport 3 AWD model came to $78,295. But we’d be happy with either the base Technology model or, if you feel like a higher-end experience, a Luxury 2 ($65,595). This model adds the ventilated and massaging front seats, a 19-speaker AKG stereo, and Super Cruise. You might also add the panoramic sunroof for another $1,600. Keep in mind also that you might find huge discounts on Lyriqs, including ultra-low-cost lease deals. 

2024 Cadillac Lyriq ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Electric Alternatives

If you’re interested in the Lyriq, you can also consider a wide range of competing EVs. The most obvious is the Tesla Model Y, which outsells every competitor – combined. As we write, the Model Y costs more than $10,000 less than an equivalent Lyriq while matching its range and speed. Or you can pay a bit more and give up some range for truly wild power. But the Lyriq is a pure luxury product next to the Model Y, with a smoother ride, higher-end cabin, and more graceful design. 

Another comfort-focused luxury EV is the Lexus RZ, which has a smooth ride and posh interior materials. But it comes up short of the Cadillac’s speed and range, and it doesn’t qualify for a tax credit – making it more expensive for most people. The Audi Q8 e-Tron is a fine machine that stacks up well against the Lyriq in most ways but can cost tens of thousands more; the same goes with the even more expensive BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. The Genesis Electrified GV70 is spacious, comfortable, and capable to drive, but it goes just 236 miles per charge and also costs more than the Lyriq. Lastly, the new Acura ZDX is a mechanical cousin to the Lyriq with a very different aesthetic. (GM builds the ZDX for Acura, which is Honda’s luxury division.)

2023 Lexus RZ 450e ・ Photo by Brady Holt

High-End Luxury, Electric Style

In the luxury SUV world, the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq delivers a lot of bang for your buck. It can go toe-to-toe with high-end rivals in trouncing a Tesla’s luxury and matching its excellent range, yet it’s priced more like a mainstream-brand EV. 

Some ergonomic issues left us frustrated, and our test vehicle’s buggy screen left us uneasy. But overall, the Lyriq looks and drives like a more expensive car than it is. For an electric car that turns heads as it cruises serenely down the road – and doesn’t have to stop for more than 300 miles – check out this Cadillac. 

2024 Cadillac Lyriq ・ Photo by Brady Holt