Simply weeks after driving the Escalade-V, a 668-horsepower supercharged full-size SUV, it felt disorienting hopping into the all-electric 2023 Cadillac Lyriq. One is a no-limits closing chapter for inner combustion, the opposite is the beginning of a brand new period for the Cadillac model. The Lyriq arrives as Cadillac’s first all-electric automobile, a mid-size SUV that slots someplace between the gas-powered XT5 and XT6 fashions with out sharing something in widespread with them (other than the Cadillac badge). Accessible initially as a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive mannequin with 340 hp and a 312-mile vary, the Lyriq can even be offered with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 500 hp.
Based mostly on its distinctive dimension, value level, and arrival date, the Lyriq finds itself with out an abundance of “direct” rivals. The Tesla Mannequin Y is closest, however the Lyriq is bigger, inexpensive, and extra luxurious inside. The Audi e-tron now appears outdated by way of battery vary and charging speeds, and the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV hasn’t arrived but. It appears to be like like Cadillac could have the proper EV on the proper time, so we flew to Park Metropolis, Utah to search out out if the Lyriq is pretty much as good as marketed.
Exterior: Actually Contemporary Design
We weren’t positive concerning the Lyriq’s styling when it was teased again on the 2019 Detroit Auto Present, however seeing it in particular person has completed wonders to alter our opinion. Not everybody will love the dangers Cadillac took right here, however the Lyriq’s daring design will likely be a dialog starter. All of it begins with the black crystal grille, which options distinctive laser-etched traces that mimic a standard grille. That space is flanked by vertical LED gentle clusters, which carry out flashy entry sequences when the automobile is unlocked at night time. The rear is equally distinctive, with taillights that wrap across the C-pillar and in addition play a lightweight present.
By way of dimensions, the Lyriq stretches 196.7 inches lengthy, solely barely shorter than the three-row XT6 and a number of other inches longer than a Mannequin Y, and rides on a 121.8-inch wheelbase. At 63.9 inches tall, it is six inches decrease than the XT6, giving it a completely completely different presence up shut.
Cadillac’s colour palette is disappointingly restricted to Satin Metal Metallic or Stellar Black Metallic at launch, however different colours will likely be added as manufacturing ramps up.
Powertrain & Efficiency: Pressing Ultium
All Lyriq fashions use a large 102 kWh battery again, enabling a aggressive 312-mile vary in rear-wheel-drive configuration. This ought to be loads for many weekly commutes. That RWD mannequin produces 340 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, sufficient to provide pressing acceleration when referred to as upon. No, it will not out-drag a Tesla, however it feels faster than most ICE autos of this dimension. If 340 hp is not sufficient, the AWD mannequin boosts that determine to 500 hp, though torque and vary figures have not been confirmed for this spinoff but. We did not have an opportunity to pattern this mannequin, because it will not be accessible at launch, however that vital energy bump ought to take the Lyriq’s efficiency from spritely to outright quick with a small vary lower. For individuals who need to tow, solely the AWD mannequin will likely be tow-rated, with a most capability of three,500 lbs.
Equally essential are recharging instances. The Lyriq ships with a dual-level charger, which might cost at as much as 7.7 kW when plugged right into a family outlet. That is sufficient to recoup round 21 miles vary per hour. Patrons who set up a 100-amp Stage 2 charger of their dwelling, and might accomplish that with the $1,500 credit score included with the Lyriq, can cost at as much as 19.2 kW (RWD fashions solely, the AWD peaks at 11.5 kW), placing 52 miles of vary per hour again within the battery. On a DC quick charger, the Lyriq can attain a peak 190 kW fee, producing round 76 miles of vary in simply 10 minutes. It isn’t the quickest DC cost pace accessible, however the dwelling cost pace is spectacular.
Driving Impressions: Float Like A Cadillac
Driving the Lyriq is a lesson on what a Cadillac ought to be. It is clean, easy, and comfy. Cadillac tuned this automobile for consolation, so do not go anticipating canyon-carving precision; it is not that type of automobile. Save that for the forthcoming V Collection. That is to not say it is a floaty Cadillac of outdated. It feels composed over bumps and hasn’t had all of its really feel faraway from the suspension. With out accessible adaptive dampers, single-state passive dampers should be tuned for all eventualities, so you do not have the choice of an uber-soft trip switching to a sportier demeanor. However Cadillac has nailed the comfort-biased tune.
We did not have an opportunity to pattern GM’s Tremendous Cruise within the Lyriq, because it was not enabled on this early pre-production mannequin, however after sampling the newest model within the Escalade-V, we will safely say it is the perfect Stage 2 driving system accessible available on the market. It may well overtake slower visitors, then transfer again over to keep away from clogging the left lane. If solely most human drivers did the identical. On the freeway, the Lyriq’s energetic sound cancelation works wonders, making this a serene place to spend time on an extended street journey.
Inside: Constructing On Escalade
In case you just like the Escalade’s inside, put together to be impressed by the Lyriq. It builds upon what labored at a six-figure price ticket and brings it all the way down to a extra attainable stage. The centerpiece is a 33-inch curved LED show, now one display screen somewhat than separate ones just like the Escalade. The decision is astounding, and the Google-powered person interface makes any activity a breeze. Simply say “Hey Google,” and the automobile immediately responds to your request. A 19-speaker AKG audio sounds nice for this value level, with audio system within the headrests contributing to a stellar surround-sound expertise.
Many have mocked Cadillac for recycled buttons from lower-priced GM fashions, however the Lyriq shares no parts-bin items even with different Caddies. All the button switches really feel high-dollar, besides the rotating management knob for the infotainment, which feels simply OK. A minimum of it appears to be like fairly and lights up at night time. Talking of night time, the ambient cabin lighting appears to be like gorgeous with out being overwhelming like rivals from Mercedes.
Being a midsize mannequin, Cadillac has performed it good and constructed the Lyriq solely as a two-row five-seater. The seats up entrance are delicate and supportive, with heating, air flow, and therapeutic massage perform – although the latter is much from the perfect we have sampled. For these in entrance, 38.6 inches of headroom and 41.4 inches of legroom are beneficiant figures. Rear seat legroom measures slightly below 40 inches, which is sufficient even for tall passengers, whereas the headroom determine of 37.7 can be plentiful for many. Behind these seats, the Lyriq homes 28 cubic ft of cargo house, which opens to 60.8 cubic ft when folded. That is sizable, although the Lyriq’s slopped roofline cuts total practicality a bit.
Worth, Verdict, & Trims: One Dimension Suits All
The Lyriq appears like a renaissance for Cadillac. A lesson discovered from years of mediocre SUVs, culminating in one thing that feels nearer to the model’s former tagline: normal of the world. We cannot say that is the perfect EV ever constructed, however at $62,990 to begin (launch editions excluded), it undercuts the best-selling Tesla Mannequin Y by 1000’s whereas providing extra gear. For simply $2,000 extra, consumers get AWD and an enormous energy bump. Cadillac says it’ll increase trim choices in later mannequin years, that means the Lyriq could even get inexpensive as time goes on. Availability is the difficult factor right here, because the 2023 Lyriq allocation is already offered out, with order books opening for the 2024 mannequin this previous week.
This can be a right-sized SUV with loads of vary, energy, construct high quality, and options. If we had been available in the market for a luxurious EV on this value vary, the Lyriq could be excessive on our radar. We’re excited to see Cadillac’s future IQ-branded EVs, together with the upcoming Celestiq.