2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that exuded street presence. Its long hood and low ground clearance gave it the appearance of a sleek sedan rather than a traditional SUV. The vertical light bars and LED headlights created a captivating light show upon unlocking, while the grille and lighting effects added to its unique style. Inside, the LYRIQ showcased Cadillac's attention to detail with leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating centre console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2025 Audi Q5 embraced a more rugged SUV aesthetic with its large grille, prominent air intakes, and high-mounted headlights. The design was evolutionary, maintaining a familiar look while incorporating new styling elements. The Q5 offered various trim levels, with matrix-design LED headlights and animated taillights on higher trims. Inside, the Q5's design was distinctive, with a mix of materials and haptic controls. While the interior design was somewhat discordant, the materials were top-notch, and the available red interior with Alcantara trim added a sporty touch.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was built for long-distance comfort rather than sporty driving. Its dual-motor powertrain delivered 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for highway cruising. However, its handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The LYRIQ's regenerative braking and charging capabilities were commendable, but its handling-enhancing features were lacking.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered a range of powertrains, with the base model's 2.0-litre turbo-four producing 268 horsepower and the SQ5's 3.0-litre V6 delivering 362 horsepower. While the Q5's performance figures were competitive, the dual-clutch transmission exhibited turbo lag and rough shifts. The air suspension provided capable handling, but the steering lacked engagement. The Q5's off-road modes added versatility, but it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders and a problematic charging port were notable issues. The interior offered generous headroom and legroom, but cargo space was limited compared to compact SUVs. The floating console and touchscreen controls were less intuitive, and some physical components felt cobbled together.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, offering adequate headroom and legroom. The sliding and reclining second-row seat added versatility, and the Q5 boasted more cargo space than some rivals. Standard features included a power tailgate, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Q5's towing capacity of 2,000 kilograms was a practical advantage.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls and a user-friendly infotainment system with Google Maps and Assistant. The Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with an optional third screen for the front passenger. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Q5's voice assistant and head-up display enhanced convenience, while the Dynamic Interaction Light added visual cues.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ included standard safety features such as forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, it received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assist features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. While NHTSA ratings were unavailable, the Q5 received mixed ratings from the IIHS, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick designation.