2025 BMW X5 vs 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, with a long hood and low ground clearance, drawing inspiration from the classic Seville Elegante of the early 1980s. The LYRIQ featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking, surrounded by a solid grille with lighting effects. The Sport trim, tested in all black with 22-inch wheels, had a dark triangular motif, while the Tech and Luxury trims showcased a grille with lines sweeping toward the illuminated Cadillac crest. The interior was meticulously detailed, with leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a unique three-spoke steering wheel. However, the floating centre console offered limited functionality, and the 33-inch OLED display, though impressive, was integrated without dominating the space.

The 2025 BMW X5 maintained its distinctive proportions while incorporating modern design elements. The cab-rearward profile and rounded fender arches were complemented by arrow-shaped lighting elements in the headlights and taillights. The front fascia was busy, but the twin-kidney grille remained reasonably sized. The optional M Sport Package added sportier bumpers and a leather steering wheel, with further upgrades available in the M Sport Pro package. The interior evolved gradually, retaining a connection to previous generations while incorporating a curved dashboard display. The Silver Anniversary Edition, celebrating 25 years of X5 production, was a nod to its heritage. The X5's interior offered a sense of quality, though it appeared plainer compared to some competitors.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was designed for long-distance comfort rather than sporty driving. It excelled on highways, offering a calm and poised ride with a dual-motor powertrain producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided a claimed range of 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive and 494 km with all-wheel drive. However, real-world testing showed a maximum range closer to 420 kilometres. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight of 2,630 kilograms, resulting in significant understeer and uninspiring steering feel. Regenerative braking was available, but the overall chassis performance fell short of Cadillac's reputation for suspension tuning.

The 2025 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, starting with the xDrive40i featuring a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine producing 375 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. The X5 M60i xDrive, with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, delivered 523 hp and 553 lb-ft, achieving zero to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The X5 xDrive50e plug-in hybrid combined the inline-six with an electric motor for a total output of 483 hp and 516 lb-ft, offering up to 63 kilometres of all-electric range. The X5's chassis provided precision and agility, even without rear-wheel steering, and the X5 M Competition model offered a 617-hp twin-turbo V8 for those seeking extra speed.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console lacked practicality. The interior offered generous headroom and legroom, but cargo space was limited, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2025 BMW X5, a two-row five-seater, provided generous passenger space but not class-leading. It offered slightly less first-row legroom than some competitors but compensated with more headroom. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive during cornering. The X5's cargo space was competitive, with 960 litres behind the rear seats and 2,047 litres with the second row folded. The split tailgate was a standout feature, providing convenience for loading and unloading. The X5's towing capacity of 3,265 kilograms was reasonable for its size.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and trip odometer. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 BMW X5 received a curved dashboard display with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. It ran BMW Operating System 8, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The iDrive infotainment system was intuitive, with multiple control options, including a rotary controller, touchscreen, voice recognition, and gesture control. Augmented reality navigation and digital key connectivity were notable additions.

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

The 2025 BMW X5 offered standard driver aids, including lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. The Advanced Driver Assistance Package added Highway Assistant for hands-free driving. The X5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.