2025 Lexus RX Hybrid 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, with its dark triangular motif and 22-inch wheels, added to its imposing presence. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, polished window switches, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was less visually striking. Despite its exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers, the RX's design was unremarkable, with a large front grille and a dramatic rear haunch swell. The RX offered three models: the efficient RX 350h, the plug-in hybrid RX 450h+, and the powerful RX 500h. Each model came with standard all-wheel drive and a range of packages, with prices ranging from $66,689 to $92,804. Inside, the RX featured a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting, though some ergonomic controls were less intuitive.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more suited for highway cruising than spirited driving. It offered a calm and poised ride, with a dual-motor powertrain delivering 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for all-wheel drive. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery provided a range of up to 505 kilometres with rear-wheel drive, though real-world conditions saw closer to 420 kilometres. Charging was efficient, with the ability to reach 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, with the RX 350h providing 246 hp, the RX 450h+ delivering 304 hp, and the RX 500h boasting 366 hp. The RX 500h featured a turbocharged engine, adaptive damping suspension, and a sophisticated AWD system, resulting in quick acceleration and a rewarding drivetrain. However, its fuel efficiency was lower than expected, and the drivetrain occasionally hesitated. The RX 500h excelled in straight-line acceleration but lacked dynamic capability and communication between the driver and the road.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty charging port, and a cumbersome glovebox were notable issues. The floating console offered limited space, and the centre cubby was small. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, though its cargo space was smaller than most compact SUVs, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats were snug but lacked long-term comfort, while the rear seats offered ample room and comfort. The RX provided 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage area under the load floor. Folding the second row increased cargo volume to 1,308 litres, though it was still limited for a midsize SUV.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ excelled in technology with its 33-inch OLED screen, offering touch-enabled controls and a large, legible instrument cluster. The infotainment system featured Google Maps and Google Assistant, with accurate navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid met luxury expectations with digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured a 14-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a cloud-based navigation system. However, the steering wheel controls were distracting and difficult to use. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system sounded great, but the steering wheel controls made adjustments challenging.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. However, the LYRIQ received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered Safety Connect, providing automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RX also featured Proactive Driving Assist and a surround-view camera. The RX earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it poorly for occupant protection in frontal-impact tests.