2025 Buick Enclave 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, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The vertical light bars and LED headlights created a dramatic light show upon unlocking, while the grille and lighting effects added to its unique presence. The interior was meticulously crafted, featuring leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display that integrated seamlessly into the cabin. However, the floating centre console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and modern appearance, drawing inspiration from the compact Envista. Its sharp lines, slim DRLs, and angular grille gave it a distinctive look, though it appeared more generic from the side. The Enclave's interior was both modern and premium, with a floating centre console and a large curved display that enhanced its futuristic feel. The seats, trimmed in perforated leatherette with contrast piping, added a touch of luxury. The Enclave also offered a panoramic power sunroof and a range of seating configurations, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more suited for highway cruising than spirited driving. It featured a dual-motor powertrain with 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both configurations used a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering a claimed range of 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive and 494 km with AWD. However, real-world testing showed a maximum range closer to 420 kilometres. The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, and its steering lacked the precision expected from Cadillac. Regenerative braking was a welcome feature, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2025 Buick Enclave was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Enclave's fuel efficiency was rated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.9 on the highway, and 11.2 combined. It could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. The Enclave's driving dynamics were more akin to a full-size vehicle, with loose steering at slower speeds. However, it offered a comfortable and quiet ride, thanks to Active Noise Cancellation.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had some build quality issues, with misaligned rear fenders and a problematic charging port. Its functionality was also lacking, with a glovebox that couldn't be easily accessed while driving and a small centre cubby. The floating console offered little space, and the rotary selector for the touchscreen was cumbersome. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, though its cargo space was limited at 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered a more practical interior, with eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. It featured captain's chairs in the second row, accommodating up to seven passengers. The Enclave's tri-zone climate control and power-folding seats added to its convenience. The AutoSense liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area, which offered 648 litres of space with all seats in place, expanding to 1,617 litres with the third row folded and 2,761 litres with both rear rows down.

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

The 2025 Buick Enclave's technology offerings were equally impressive, with a 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen integrating the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker Bose Performance system available on the Avenir trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Enclave also offered wired charging for all passengers.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came equipped with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. However, it received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and an acceptable mark for its front pedestrian collision avoidance system.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured a comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies, including blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. HD Surround Vision and adaptive cruise control were standard, with a head-up display available as an option. The Enclave also offered GM's Teen Driver technology and Super Cruise, though the latter required a subscription after three years. The 2024 model received favourable ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though the 2025 model had not yet been rated.